The new geography of yacht design leads to Türkiye

On the occasion of the second edition of Bodrum Design Week, IFDM had the opportunity to discover some of the emerging players gaining recognition on the international yachting scene. An industry in which Türkiye is progressively redefining its position, moving beyond its traditional reputation as a cost-competitive alternative to European shipbuilding and establishing itself through construction quality, craftsmanship and collaborations with internationally renowned architecture and design studios. Among these companies is ADA Yacht Works, a shipyard based in Bodrum that has embraced the creative vision of Luca Dini Design & Architecture. Their collaboration reflects not only the evolution of a yacht builder, but also the opportunities that arise when different design cultures come together.

For Onur Tekin, CEO of ADA Yacht Works, working with an internationally established Italian designer represented an important step in the shipyard’s development. Initially, the decision came with certain concerns, particularly regarding the challenge of integrating an external design studio’s creative process with the shipyard’s fast-paced decision-making and production approach. Over time, however, the collaboration has demonstrated how design can contribute far beyond the aesthetic identity of a yacht, influencing both product quality and the design culture of the entire organisation. “Luca Dini brings significant value to our company, not only through the quality of his design, but also through the way our brand is perceived internationally,” explains Tekin. It is a perspective shared by Luca Dini himself, who acknowledges the remarkable progress achieved by Turkish yacht builders in recent years. “Turkish shipyards were traditionally perceived as operating at a lower level than their Italian counterparts, not to mention Northern European builders. Today, however, many of these shipyards have gained experience they previously lacked. Quality standards have risen considerably, and so have costs, because achieving quality and attention to detail requires time and investment.” This transformation is gradually shifting the competitive landscape from price to the value of design, opening up new opportunities for collaboration between shipyards, architects and designers.

From yacht to floating residence
The evolution extends beyond shipbuilding capabilities to the very way spaces on board are conceived. Contemporary yachts are increasingly approaching the world of residential architecture and high-end hospitality, where comfort, spatial quality and personalisation become essential elements of the living experience. An early expression of this design dialogue can be found in LEGASEA 50, ADA Yacht Works’ first 50-metre yacht featuring interiors designed by Luca Dini Design & Architecture. The project laid the foundations for a collaboration that is set to evolve further through subsequent vessels, where the shipyard’s production expertise, the passion of its craftsmen and their ability to rapidly interpret and translate Dini’s creative vision into reality can find even greater expression. It will be particularly interesting to observe how this relationship develops across the second, third and fourth yachts, through an increasingly integrated approach to architectural language, material research and bespoke design solutions.

Meanwhile, owners’ expectations have changed significantly. The objective is no longer simply to create sophisticated interiors, but to design environments that respond to the habits, aspirations and lifestyles of those who inhabit them. “Clients are making substantial investments and expect exceptionally comfortable and luxurious spaces, designed to be enjoyed with their families and guests,” says Tekin. From wellness and spa facilities to fitness areas and spaces dedicated to socialising and relaxation, interior design has become an exercise in interpreting individual needs. “At the beginning of each project, we sit down with Luca Dini and the client. Our first priority is to listen and understand their needs. That is where the concept begins.” This approach brings yacht design increasingly close to bespoke residential architecture, where the relationship between architect and client becomes the starting point for creating a truly personal living experience.

The value of exchange: expertise, passion and creative freedom
While collaborating with an international design studio represents an opportunity for ADA Yacht Works to grow, working with Turkish shipyards offers Luca Dini an equally compelling perspective. It is not simply a matter of transferring expertise, but of engaging with a production culture characterised by a strong desire to learn and a genuine involvement in the creative process.
“What truly impressed me was the passion. Something I sometimes feel is gradually fading, even in Italian shipyards. Here, there is still a genuine desire to grow. They ask you to stay close, to guide them, because they want to learn.” According to Dini, this openness to dialogue is precisely what makes working with Turkish shipyards particularly stimulating. “You feel part of a process of growth that, for many reasons, has been somewhat lost in European shipyards today. They don’t simply want to build a product that is competitive in terms of price; they want to compete on quality. And they have everything they need to achieve that.” This attitude also translates into greater openness to experimentation. The production experience accumulated by the shipyards, combined with their determination to distinguish themselves internationally, creates the conditions for a degree of creative freedom that is not always possible within more established industrial processes.

And this is perhaps the most significant aspect of the dialogue between these two design cultures: Turkish production expertise does not merely translate a designer’s ideas into reality; it can actively inspire and challenge the creative process itself. Dini explains how, in the Turkish shipyards he works with, interior customisation is approached in a particularly radical way, going far beyond the selection of fabrics, finishes or wood veneers.
“Here, we are talking about entirely different designs from one yacht to another. It is not the kind of superficial customisation where clients are simply offered a choice of fabrics or wood finishes. In this respect, there are virtually no limits.” The pursuit of a distinctive identity thus becomes a shared ambition between designer and shipyard, both seeking to develop solutions that move beyond established design languages. “They understand perfectly well that the way to gain visibility in the international market is to offer something distinctive, something that has not been seen before, rather than simply imitating existing solutions. Very often, they are the ones encouraging us to explore entirely new ideas.” Dini contrasts this openness with his experience at other shipyards, where industrial and design constraints can be considerably more rigid. “In other shipyards, there is an extremely strict approach to staying within established boundaries. I understand the reasons behind it, but here I enjoy myself much more. For those of us who do this for a living, it is genuinely exciting.”

The relationship between ADA Yacht Works and Luca Dini therefore extends well beyond a conventional professional collaboration. On one side is a shipyard investing in design as a driver of growth and international recognition; on the other, an architecture studio discovering new opportunities for research, experimentation and creative freedom within Turkish manufacturing culture. It is an exchange in which industry and design do not follow parallel paths, but continuously influence one another, contributing to the emergence of a new model of collaboration. And perhaps this is precisely where the most interesting direction of yacht design’s new geography lies: not simply in places where yachts are built, but in places where new ideas are born.