Gondola 电动水翼艇 by Wang Yuchen and Wang Xuanzheng

Gondola 电动水翼艇 by Wang Yuchen and Wang Xuanzheng is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 铁奖 in 游艇与船舶设计 Competition Category.

铁游艇· 2025

Gondola 电动水翼艇

by Wang Yuchen and Wang Xuanzheng

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

A' Design Award 铁奖 Winner in 游艇 Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Gondola 电动水翼艇

Gondola 是一款专为水上旅游打造的电动水翼艇。设计将威尼斯传统贡多拉的造型与现代水翼艇的动态性能融为一体。艇身长 13450 毫米、宽 2820 毫米,可搭载四名乘客。船体采用铝材并饰以铂金色金属质感涂装,水翼及支撑结构则使用碳纤维等复合材料。顶篷由混织金属丝线的帆布制成,行李甲板则选用柚木。电动马达既可实现高速航行,也能安静地缓速巡游。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 铁奖

Gondola 电动水翼艇是 A' Design Award 铁奖得主，这是授予满足人们对设计精良的创作所期待的专业与工业要求的优良设计的声望认可。铁奖得主展现出其创作者的高超技艺、高度专业化、专家级的理解力和创造能力。预计Gondola 电动水翼艇将成为一件备受推崇、令人钦佩且被珍爱的创作，既实用又创新。这件赢得 A' Design Award 铁奖的设计整合了行业最佳实践，并拥有与专业知识和才华相结合的称职技术特性。Gondola 电动水翼艇因其严谨而受到尊重，旨在提供有助于让世界变得更美好的生活品质改善。

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.