Text from Norman Kietzmann
A yacht always has two sides. One is the view from the outside. The other defines life on board. And this is exactly where a lot has happened - as Azimut proves with the new Grande 30M. The exterior was designed by Alberto Mancini, who favours an elegant arrangement with horizontal window bands. It is a straightforward yacht with a refined, effortless appearance without frippery. The interiors were designed by m2atelier, who have been working with Azimut since 2023. The Milan-based office is headed by architects Marco Bonelli and
Marijana Radovic and also specialises in the design of flats and private residences. For the Azimut Grande 30M, the duo has opted for a concept they call "Barefoot Luxury".
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"We had informal living in mind, not a showroom," says Marijana Radovic. This means moving away from high-gloss surfaces, which always have something sterile about them. The same applies to the strict symmetry of interiors, which may look good in photos, but is not always suitable for living. "We want you to almost forget the space a little, to experience it in an almost natural way. The interior doesn't overwhelm you. It doesn't want to show off. Instead, it creates a state of absolute calm and harmony: a very sophisticated balance of shapes, materials, acoustics and light," says Marco Bonelli, summarising the effect.
According to Barefoot Luxury, rooms are not just for looking at, they should be lived in and used. Things whisper, rather than demand attention. "We like to work on details that don't immediately catch the eye, but that you only discover for yourself over time while living on board," explains Marijana Radovic. Relaxation and well-being are the parameters that matter. This results in tactile surfaces that are soft to the touch. Asymmetrical furniture layouts allow for more flexible use. The sofa in the main salon has angled ends with different lengths. Opposite it are two chairs grouped around a round side table. The seating can be positioned freely and can be moved closer to the sofa to create a communicative zone. Or they can remain in place not far from the starboard window to facilitate the flow of movement in the room.
Details that you only discover for yourself over time
The large dining table echoes the angled shape of the sofa. Its top is reminiscent of picks - the coin-sized discs used to play the guitar. "It's a very inviting, more sociable shape than a round table. It brings the guests closer together, seems very natural, closer to life. The table is also a beautiful object to look at and touch," says Marco Bonelli. It brings new vigour to the interior. Or to stay with the music metaphor: a new sound. After all, it's all about having a good time and relaxing. Elegance and beauty do not have to be sacrificed. "Barefoot Luxury" corresponds to the lifestyle of a younger generation of owners, and yet relaxation knows no age limits.
Both the horizontal and vertical lines are emphasised to enhance the sense of space and make dimensions appear larger. Diagonals loosen up the effect. "These lines are not random, but have been specifically thought through. It helps to read the space, but also to move within it, because the line mentally follows the viewer. These geometries are an act of precision. Instead of 90-degree angles, there are always these slightly rounded angles that connect two straight lines as a curve," explains Marijana Radovic. Parallel to the Grande 30M, the office has been working on the Grande 36M and Grande Trideck models, with the launch of the larger Grande 44M planned for 2026.
The functional rear walls in the main saloon are a connecting element between the ranges. For the Grande Trideck, an "Unveiling Wall" was developed consisting of vertical slats with a drop-shaped cross-section, comparable to the profile of an aeroplane wing. They reveal or conceal the television screen in an almost theatrical manner using a specially developed sliding mechanism. A slightly more open louvre structure was developed for the Grande 30M. It allows light and views to pass through in a subdued form to emphasise the staircase behind it - one of the most important design tasks on board a yacht for m2atelier. A staircase does not simply serve as a passage from one level to another - it becomes an identity-forming element in which beauty and functionality intertwine.
Ceiling fabrics and carpets absorb sound
The solution is a transparent staircase with illuminated steps that appear like a cascade of light between the decks. "It wasn't a question of centimetres, but of millimetres. But that's also the beauty of working with a shipyard where everyone pulls together. We don't just think about the boat itself, but above all about the people who will use it later," reports Marijana Radovic. The staircase runs in a straight line to facilitate orientation. This is another level of perception that increases the sense of well-being on board. The room layout does not become a mystery, but is revealed in a self-explanatory manner.
Light plays an important role on the Azimut Grande 30M. "If you stand on one side and turn round, you see something different. The light changes through the large windows - not only with the direction of view, but also with the time of day," emphasises Marijana Radovic. All the senses are stimulated. "In addition to the visual and tactile experience, the sound behaviour is also of fundamental importance. All decisions regarding fabrics and materials contribute to an acoustic sense of well-being, which leads to a feeling of protection," explains Marco Bonelli. The ceilings are clad with lightweight fabric panels that absorb sound. The floors are fitted with narrow planks that increase the cosiness on board. Carpets serve as additional sound absorbers.
"Our motto is 'less is enough', which is also reflected in the materials. We always try to use a very limited number so that the interior doesn't look overloaded," says Marijana Radovic. However, monotony is not to be feared. "Instead, we use different surfaces, i.e. glossy, matt, rough, smooth, three-dimensional or with seams. In this way, we create a symbiotic environment in which the individual materials support and enhance each other," continues the architect. Soft cream tones and light shades of grey also dominate the suite on the main deck and the four cabins below. A light grey-blue appears again and again in the form of cushion covers. Frost Blue is the name of the colour, which looks like an echo of the sea and stands out from all the other light tones. "We want to avoid everything being beige. Because that would lose the depth of the room. As it is a serially produced boat, we have to appeal to a wider audience and yet give each series its own character," says Marco Bonelli.
The air comes in and yet you are protected
The "Deck2Deck" terrace is a fine detail. Raising the stern garage hatch creates a teak surface that cantilevers over the bathing platform. The extension of the cockpit is filled with two lounge chairs from which the proximity to the water can be enjoyed. In the evening, the furniture is rotated so that it is grouped around the coffee table, which is raised to form a dining table. Floor-to-ceiling windows on the main and upper decks blur the boundaries between inside and outside, visually bringing the sea into the yacht. Marco Bonelli says of the flybridge: "It conveys a feeling of freedom - a veranda open on three sides with a view of the sea. The air comes in. And yet you are protected, not exposed to the sun."
Federico Lantero, Head of Azimut's Product Design, explains: "It's about more than elegance, it's about creating an atmosphere that evolves with those who experience it. A superyacht that you not only live on, but also feel." The Grande 30M is one of the models that Azimut has labelled "low-emission". It is said to emit up to 30 per cent less CO2 than comparable boats. The reason for this is the combination of three factors: weight reduction through the use of carbon fibres, optimised hull lines and pod drives from ZF. Counter-rotating propellers increase manoeuvrability, allow a top speed of 25 knots and reduce fuel consumption. The compact engine room architecture creates space for life on board. In short: the relaxed nature of the Grande 30M is not an end in itself. It is paired with performance and fuel efficiency in a superior way.
Technical data of the Azimut Grande 30M
- Length over everything: 28,70 m
- Width: 7,30 m
- Depth: 2,02 m
- Displacement (full): 120,5 t
- Material: GRP, carbon
- Drive: 2 x ZF POD 4900
- Motors: 2 x MTU 12V 2000 M93
- Engine power: 2 x 1,340 kW
- Speed (max.): 25 kn
- Speed (travelling): 20 kn
- Fuel: 12.000 l
- Water: 2.000 l
- Guests: 10
- Crew: 5
- Construction: P.L Asunio Azimut R&D Dep.
- Exterior design: Alberto Mancini
- Interior design: m2atelier
- Class: RINA Pleasure
- Shipyard: Azimut Yachts, 2025
- Starting price: 10.90 million euros
