Gondola Navigium Hydropterygium Electricum by Wang Yuchen and Wang Xuanzheng

Gondola Navigium Hydropterygium Electricum by Wang Yuchen and Wang Xuanzheng is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum in Celox Competition Category.

FerrumCelox· 2025

Gondola Navigium Hydropterygium Electricum

by Wang Yuchen and Wang Xuanzheng

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

Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum Winner in Celox 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 Navigium Hydropterygium Electricum

Gondola est navigium hydropterygium electricum ad usum peregrinationis aquaticae destinatum. Forma huius consilii formam traditionalis gondulae Venetae cum dynamismo hydropterygii moderni coniungit. Carina 13450 mm longa et 2820 mm lata est et quattuor vectores fert. Aluminium colore metallico ad instar platini carinam efficit, dum hydropterygia et structurae sustinentes fibra carbonica aliisque materiis compositis constant. Tectum ex velo filis metallicis permixto factum est, area vero sarcinis destinata ex ligno teak confecta est. Motor electricus iter tranquillum, sive celeri velocitate sive lenta navigatione, permittit.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum

Gondola Navigium Hydropterygium Electricum victor est Praemii A' Design Award Ferreum, honoris amplissimi formis bonis dati, quae postulatis professionalibus et industrialibus ab creationibus bene formatis exspectatis satisfaciunt. Victores Ferrei magnam peritiam, altam specializationem, intellectum periti et facultatem creandi auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur Gondola Navigium Hydropterygium Electricum creationem multum aestimatam, admiratam et carissimam, practicam et novam fore. Haec forma Ferreo victa optimas industriae consuetudines integrat et proprietates technicas idoneas, cum scientia et talento coniunctas, habet. Gondola Navigium Hydropterygium Electricum ob diligentiam suam honoratur et ad vitae qualitatem emendandam formatum est, ut mundum meliorem reddere iuvet.

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.