Gondola Mahi Matua: Waka Hukapapa Hiko Ika-parirau by Wang Yuchen and Wang Xuanzheng

Gondola Mahi Matua: Waka Hukapapa Hiko Ika-parirau by Wang Yuchen and Wang Xuanzheng is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Rino in Hoahoa Iata me ngā Waka Moana Competition Category.

RinoIata· 2025

Gondola Mahi Matua: Waka Hukapapa Hiko Ika-parirau

by Wang Yuchen and Wang Xuanzheng

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

A' Design Award Rino Winner in Iata 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 Mahi Matua: Waka Hukapapa Hiko Ika-parirau

Tuhinga Pukapuka: Ko Gondola he waka hukapapa hiko ika-parirau i hangaia mō te haerenga wai. Ko te hoahoa e whakakotahi ana i te āhua o te gondola tuku iho o Venice me te kori o tētahi hukapapa ika-parirau hou. He 13450 mm te roa me te 2820 mm te whānui o te tinana waka, ā, ka taea te waha e whā ngā kaihīkoi. Ko te konumohau me tōna oroko rite-hiriwa e hanga ana i te tinana waka, ā, ko ngā parirau hukapapa me ngā anga tautoko e whakamahi ana i te muka waro me ētahi atu rauemi hanumi. Ko te hipoki e hangaia ana ki te kānewhe kua whakauruhia ki ngā miro konumohau, ā, ko te papa pīkau taonga e hangaia ana ki te teak. Ko te miihini hiko e tuku ana i te haerenga mārire i te tere teitei, i te hikoi puhoi rānei.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Rino

Ko Gondola Mahi Matua: Waka Hukapapa Hiko Ika-parirau te toa o te A' Design Award Rino, he whakaaetanga whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa pai e whakatutuki ana i ngā hiahia ngaio me te ahumahi e tūmanakohia ana mai i ngā mahi kua hoahoatia pai. Ko ngā toa Rino e whakaatu ana i te pukenga nui, te tohungatanga teitei, te māramatanga mātanga me te kaha auaha o ō rātou kaihanga. E tūmanakohia ana ko Gondola Mahi Matua: Waka Hukapapa Hiko Ika-parirau he mahi whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he whaihua, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Rino e whakakotahi ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa o te ahumahi, ā, he āhuatanga hangarau pūkenga tōna e hono ana ki te mōhio me te pūmanawa. E whakahonoretia ana a Gondola Mahi Matua: Waka Hukapapa Hiko Ika-parirau mō tōna tōtika, ā, i hoahoatia hei whakapai ake i te kounga o te oranga me te āwhina i te ao kia pai ake.

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.