Gondola Waʻa Uila Hydrofoil by Wang Yuchen and Wang Xuanzheng

Gondola Waʻa Uila Hydrofoil by Wang Yuchen and Wang Xuanzheng is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Hao in Hoʻolālā Moku Leʻaleʻa a me Moku Kai Competition Category.

HaoMoku Leʻaleʻa· 2025

Gondola Waʻa Uila Hydrofoil

by Wang Yuchen and Wang Xuanzheng

Client: Central Academy of Fine Arts-Mobility Innovation (Transportation) Design

A' Design Award Hao Winner in Moku Leʻaleʻa Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Gondola Waʻa Uila Hydrofoil

ʻO Gondola kahi waʻa uila hydrofoil i hoʻolālāʻia no ka mākaʻikaʻi wai. Hoʻohui ke kālaiʻana i ke ʻano o ka gondola Venetian kuʻuna me ka hoʻoholo ʻana o kahi hydrofoil hou. He 13450 mm ka lōʻihi o ke kino a he 2820 mm ka laulā, a hoʻokele ia i ʻehā mea holo. Hana ʻia ke kino i ke ʻaluminuma me kahi hoʻopau metala kala platinum, a hoʻohana ʻia ke kūkulu hydrofoil a me nā ʻāpana kākoʻo i ke fiber kalapona a me nā mea composite ʻē aʻe. Hana ʻia ka pale i ke kanava i hui pū ʻia me nā kaula metala, a hana ʻia ka papa ukana i ka lāʻau teak. ʻAe ke ʻenekini uila i ka holo mālie i ka wikiwiki kiʻekiʻe a i ʻole ka holo lohi mālie.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Hao

Ua lanakila ka hoʻolālā Gondola Waʻa Uila Hydrofoil i ka A' Design Award Hao, he ʻike hoʻohanohano i hāʻawi ʻia i nā hoʻolālā maikaʻi e hoʻokō ana i nā koi ʻoihana a ʻoihana hana i manaʻo ʻia mai nā mea hoʻokumu i hana maikaʻi ʻia. Hōʻike nā lanakila Hao i ka mākau nui, ka loea kiʻekiʻe, ka ʻike akamai a me ka hiki hana noʻeau o ka poʻe i hana iā lākou. Manaʻo ʻia ʻo ka hoʻolālā Gondola Waʻa Uila Hydrofoil he mea hoʻokumu i mahalo nui ʻia, hoʻohiwahiwa ʻia a aloha ʻia e pono a hou. ʻO kēia hoʻolālā i lanakila i ka A' Design Award Hao e hoʻohui ana i nā hana maikaʻi loa o ka ʻoihana a loaʻa nā ʻano ʻenehana mākaukau i hui pū ʻia me ka ʻike hana a me ka makakoho. Mahalo ʻia ka hoʻolālā Gondola Waʻa Uila Hydrofoil no kona nānā pono a ua hoʻolālā ʻia e hāʻawi i nā hoʻomaikaʻi ola e kōkua ai i ka hana ʻana i ka honua i wahi maikaʻi aku.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Combining the elegance of a gondola with the dynamism of a hydrofoil, it blends traditional culture with modern aesthetics to create a new water sports experience. And it echoes the long history of Venice's culture. At the same time, this is an electric boat, quiet, elegant and environmentally friendly. It can accommodate 4 passengers.
Dimensions & Packaging: Hull length 13450 mm, width 2820 mm, normal draft 2300 mm, draft with hydrofoils up 1200 mm. Maximum rotation angle of hydrofoil 70 degrees. Accommodates 4 passengers.
Tags: Gondola, Hydrofoil, Yacht Design, Venice Tourism, Zero Emissions
Production Technology: The boat's hull is made of aluminum with a platinum-colored metallic paint finish that echoes the glossy metal used throughout, providing a good sense of texture. The hydrofoils and hull support structures have versatile attributes and are made of stronger carbon fiber and other composite materials that add to the boat's sporty feel. The canvas soft top of the canopy is made of a high-grade fabric mixed with metallic filaments. Meanwhile, the luggage compartment deck is made of high-grade teak, adding to the boat's luxurious feel.
Design Challenge: I strolled along the riverbanks of Venice and saw gondolas and luxury yachts, which sparked my passion and inspiration for design. How to perfectly incorporate the gondola design elements into the hydrofoil design posed a challenge to me. It required a lot of sketches and modeling to ensure the traditional aesthetics of elegance and luxury, but also the futuristic aesthetics of modern technology. There were also challenges of cultural differences from different countries, and I needed to study the relevant materials in greater depth.
Research: Taking inspiration from Venice's elegant and luxurious gondolas, combining traditional culture with modern aesthetics, a new hydrofoil has been designed to create a new water tourism experience based on Venetian culture for Venice as well as other waterfront regions. The research project has not only resulted in the design of a hydrofoil, but has also explored a new research path for tourism experiences in other culturally diverse regions.
Inspiration: The design draws inspiration from the traditional Venetian boat, the gondola. In terms of structural design, the classical Italian design culture plays an important role. The curved moon-like lines of the gondola, especially the detailing on the six-toothed battle-axe halberd at the bow, were a major source of inspiration. This cultural influence is evident throughout the project.
Project Duration: The project launched in Qingdao, China in August 2023, and the preliminary model of the project was presented at Milan Design Week in April 2024, and reached its final stages by June 2024.
Operation Flow: The boat is equipped with hydrofoils that can be rotated and propellers that can be raised and lowered, as well as an electric motor for high maneuverability. At the same time, the boat is capable of switching between high-speed movement and leisurely cruising, ensuring that it meets the needs of users in different situations and enhances the traveling experience.
Team Members: Wang Yuchen
Wang Xuanzheng
Wang Shutong
Ye Feng
Image Credits: Image #1: Creator Yuchen Wang, Gondola, 2024.
Image #2: Creator Yuchen Wang, Gondola, 2024.
Image #3: Creator Yuchen Wang, Gondola, 2024.
Image #4: Creator Yuchen Wang, Gondola, 2024.
Image #5: Creator Yuchen Wang, Gondola, 2024.