Francesca Muzio: for the yacht owner, comfort means simplicity

Architect Francesca Muzio, founder and CEO of FM Architettura, is one of the most highly regarded names in interior design.

Her broad range of projects – from yachting to residential and hospitality – places her among the few with a truly global perspective, both geographically and in the high-end sectors in which she operates.

PressMare – Architect, let’s start with a snapshot of your firm: where are you today, how many people are on your team, who do you work for, and how important is yachting in your business?

Francesca Muzio – We’re a studio specialising in interior architecture across several sectors. First and foremost, yachting – which is a passion for both myself and my husband, one of the founders – but we also design for hotels, branded residences, villas and luxury apartments. Our world is highly interconnected, in a positive sense. We enjoy moving between disciplines, from yacht design – probably the most complex – to residential towers, many of which are currently under construction. We operate in sixteen countries with a team of around fifty professionals.

PM – You’re originally from Liguria, but work in the Marche region. That’s an unusual path.

FM – Yes, I’m from Liguria but I’ve always been a bit nomadic. We’ve been working in the Marche region for 20 years – it’s an area rich in skilled artisans. That’s very important, because it allows us to create unique and exclusive projects by collaborating with specialist hands, with truly remarkable craftsmanship. We spend a lot of time in their workshops, learning.

PM – How central is yachting to FM Architettura?

FM – Yachting definitely takes up a significant part of our time. We’re focused on the high-end segment, yachts over 50 metres. We work a lot in Northern Europe with shipyards like Feadship and Lürssen. In Germany, we’re currently working on a beautiful residential vessel project. These are the kinds of projects we’re passionate about. Working with visionary clients who push you beyond your limits enhances your creativity and perspective. Engaging with different cultures and projects provides a major boost to the studio.

PM – Do owners who know your residential work ask you to design their yachts, or does it go the other way around?

FM – It works both ways. Clients might see one of our projects – residential, yachting or hospitality – and are often drawn to the attention to detail and the “home feeling” we convey. Sometimes we’re even contacted directly through our switchboard or through unexpected channels. Ultimately, I believe it’s the product that speaks. Ours is a highly communicative industry, but a well-designed product can speak for itself. The substance always communicates better than anything else.

PM – Working across multiple sectors, you must collaborate with a wide network of suppliers and partners in Italy and abroad. How do you select and manage these often artisan-based operations?

FM – We have a broad international network of partners, which I like to call them. In Asia, for example, we’re collaborating with artisans in the Philippines who work with recycled materials. The expertise we’ve gained over 15 years with artisans in the Marche region has been exported to other contexts. At the same time, we also work with industrial partners – to build a yacht or a 77-storey tower, you need solid organisation. Our partners must be well-structured, even if at the core there’s always the idea of creating something special and exclusive. That’s our approach to interior design.

PM – Much is said about a new generation of yacht owners, financially powerful but often inexperienced. Are you guiding their vision, or do they come to you with clear ideas?

FM – In our segment, owners are usually experienced and already have a clear vision. Still, as creatives, being stimulated by their lifestyle preferences and their views on how to live at sea is the most interesting part. Every project begins with the client relationship, with listening and understanding their true needs – never imposing a ready-made solution. We operate in full custom – creating something unique every time.

PM – So you always start from a blank page?

FM – Not exactly. We start from a dream – the owner’s dream. A designer’s skill lies in interpreting and listening to the owner, without bringing a fixed idea to the table.

PM – Speaking of owners, what are the current trends you’re seeing?

FM – Since the pandemic, the desire to explore and experience the world has become a top priority. The way yachts are used has changed significantly – thanks to technology and longer stays aboard. Billionaires are more nomadic now; they want to travel and experience the world, and yachts are an incredible tool for doing just that.

PM – How is that reflected in your design work?

FM – It translates into solutions that allow extended stays on board in comfort, while maintaining a true “marine” spirit. That’s essential – the sea is a force, so yachts must be designed for real seafaring. Today, comfort expectations are higher than ever. These are ships we’re building, and simplicity is key: comfort means not complicating the owner’s life at sea. Time is their most valuable asset, so we aim to make their navigation as experiential and relaxing as possible – allowing them to enjoy it fully with their loved ones.

Riccardo Masnata

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