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MYS 2025: Bannenberg & Rowell on Balancing Heritage and Innovation in Yacht Design
At the Monaco Yacht Show 2025, Superyachts.com had an insightful conversation with Dickie Bannenberg and Simon Rowell, Creative Director and CEO of Bannenberg & Rowell Design respectively, about navigating heritage and modernity in yacht design. Both acknowledged the weight of the Bannenberg name, while emphasising their mission and ability to forge a distinct, contemporary identity for the studio.
They spoke candidly about the balancing act of respecting timeless design principles while pushing into new creative territory that reflects today’s owners’ evolving desires for space, flexibility, and sustainability.
The interview delved into specific projects like the striking Spitfire and the monumental Renaissance, one of the studio’s largest creations to date. Bannenberg and Rowell shared how they maintain a human scale and intimate feel even on yachts as vast as 7,000 gross tons by carefully crafting spaces that connect emotionally with owners and guests.
'It is challenging and sometimes you have to overcome pre-conceptions, and you have to go back to interior architecture guidelines and remember you don't have to divide a space up with walls...' Explains Rowell.
They see the yacht’s evolving role as not just a vessel but an experience platform, challenging them to reconcile innovation with authenticity. Looking ahead, the duo expressed hope that the next chapter in yacht design will continue to blend visionary creativity with enduring elegance, solidifying their influence on the industry’s visual language for years to come.
Watch the full interview above.
"You have to go back to interior architecture guidelines and remember you don't have to divide a space up with walls"
"You have to go back to interior architecture guidelines and remember you don't have to divide a space up with walls"
Simon Rowell, Creative Director and CEO, Bannenberg & Rowell Design