Kenshō: between sky and sea

— Pedrali furnishes the prestigious nautical project signed by Jouin Manku studio

“Can yachts be designed differently?”, the answer to this question is encapsulated in a single word: Kenshō. A majestic yatch that came to life through a revolutionary project surpassing the common standards of the industry. Actively involved in the interior design were Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku – founders of Jouin Manku studio – who challenged themselves to create a truly unique and surprising interior universe. Awarded in 2023 as Best Interior Design, Motor Yachts 500GT and Above among other distinctions, the realisation of this luxury super yacht was possible thanks to a group of professionals enlisted to help the client conceive the yacht of his dreams. The design team consisted of Azure Yacht Design and Archineers.berlin, supported for technical aspects by Technical Marine UK and Trappmann Consulting. To bring these ideas to life, the shipyard Admiral (part of The Italian Sea Group) was appointed.

Kenshō – which, according to Japanese Zen tradition, means seeing one's true nature – embodies a philosophy that reimagines the status quo of residential and naval architecture, writing a new way of experiencing the sea that blends aesthetics and technical feasibility. With the aim of pursuing this vision, the Jouin Manku studio completely departed from the idea of transferring typical “terrestrial” design elements onto the water, instead embracing all the opportunities and facets offered by the naval world, such as brightness and expansive views of the sea, characteristics made possible by the significant windows that define the various areas of the vessel.

Three years of work, 75 square meters of surface area, a pool of over 22 meters at sea level, guest cabins 7 meters deep, a spacious master cabin of 13 meters, ceilings 2,7 meters high. These are just some of the numbers that have made the Admiral fleet component a project with a revolutionary architectural configuration. In Kenshō, high and generous ceilings, panoramic views, intelligent and modular configurations adapt to enhance space, intimacy, and comfort. Noble materials are artfully transformed into rounded and organic forms, including teak, marble, onyx, silk, wool, bronze, and glass: a diverse palette deployed in an expression of deeply personal and poetic design. Spaces are designed to flow naturally into one another, like the brushstrokes of a painting.

In this refined context Ester, by Patrick Jouin, in both chair and armchair versions, finds its natural placement. Starting in 2013, Ester concretises the beginning of a partnership which reflects the combination of the designer’s creative expression and the know-how of Pedrali. Besides working on interior projects with Jouin Manku studio, the designer also works on industrial design projects with his Patrick Jouin ID studio founded in 1998. The evolution of Patrick Jouin's career was celebrated in 2009 with a monographic exhibition at the Centre Pompidou and in 2011 with the awarding of the Compasso d'Oro ADI. It is precisely in this context that the foundations of the collaboration with the Italian company were laid, as the designer recalls: “On the occasion of the ADI Compasso d'Oro celebration in Rome in 2011, I met Monica and Giuseppe

Pedrali. A short time later, we met again to start thinking about creating an upholstered, elegant and comfortable seat for Alain Ducasse's Dorchester restaurant in London. This is how Ester was born”. The name of this collection takes inspiration from the place for which it was created.

From the first armchair, a true collection was born, which represents a mix of elegance, ergonomics and functionality. The soft and graceful lines and the great comfort offered by Ester, characterised by the upholstered shell in polyurethane foam with elastic belts and die-cast aluminium legs, distinguish the interior of the most exclusive restaurants and hotels in the international scenario.