Craftsmanship, unmatchable quality, innovative but always functional design, has always been Riva's
hallmark.
Those same principles remain firmly in place. With meticulous attention to structural detail, every boat
in the Riva Line, from 27ft. to 115 ft. is given a precise personality linked to its name.
Riva is, more than ever, a refined, elegant and timeless beauty on water with state of the art design
and performance capabilities.
All of Riva's unique characteristics are due to a strong bond between design and tradition.
None of its recent accomplishments would have been possible without the knowledge and experience
of those individuals who have passed their talents in building boats from generation to generation.
Today, clean and essential lines, sophistication and originality, exclusive design and unique style
and matchless character define Riva.
This balanced synthesis between elegance and innovation mark new steps in the history of international
boating design. Pietro's spirit lives on.
His ambition and vision is inspiring testimony to where Riva is today.
Riva is still building boats nobody else possibly could.
Officina Italiana Design is the design studio to which the unmistakeable style of Riva yachts has been exclusively entrusted, for both the interiors and exteriors, marking new stages in the history of international nautical design.
The studio was founded by Mauro Micheli in 1994, who studied at the Artistic Lyceum in Bergamo and subsequently at the Fine Arts Academy in Milan, and Sergio Beretta, who has a degree in economy and commerce and an avowed passion for design and contemporary art.
For Micheli, who had been working at Riva since 1984 after having won a place as assistant designer in the shipyard’s technical office at the age of 25, establishment of Officina Italiana Design marked the continuation of a working relationship which has lasted almost continuously for over twenty years.
"Working for a shipyard like Riva", says Micheli today, "is a huge daily challenge. It means working to the very highest standards of quality, in terms of both manpower and the materials used, and dealing with the extremely high expectations of a continuously evolving industry and a traditionally exacting clientele".
Officina Italiana Design has thus endorsed all the projects currently in production at Riva: from Riva Iseo and Aquariva, the 27 and 33 footer which perpetuate the legend of Aquarama, to 115' Athena, a 115' yacht currently the fleet’s flagship, to Rivarama, presented with the Yacht of the Year award and, together with 68 Ego, the best European Open in their respective categories; to Rivale, the 52' footer which has proven to be one of the top international successes, to Sportfly (World Trophies 2007, for the best design in its category), to 63’ Vertigo, 75’ Venere to 92’ Duchessa (winner of the Best Yacht Award at the 2009 China Boating Awards) and 86’ Domino (awarded at the 2009 World Yachts Trophies for the best design in its category) to the new Aquariva by Marc Newson and Aquariva Gucci.
Moreover, Officina Italiana Design is the only studio to have been selected three times in ten years for listing in the ADI DESIGN INDEX, with Aquariva, 68’ Ego and Sunriva.
“We want to create elegant objects which last over the years, and we do not follow the trends of the moment at all costs,” stresses Beretta, “this our chosen way of working and a form of respect for our owners.”
Officina Italiana Design currently liaises with a further four young designers (Alberto Stella, Daria Giovenzana, Alessandro Lottici and David Obendorfer) and, by working for Riva, is called upon to face new challenge after challenge.
In Micheli’s words: "We are not keen on ‘showy’ yachts' with mere virtuosity of form. Neither do we indulge in gratuitous connotations with an obvious impact. We love a classical, essential, clean design style, where the keyword is ‘remove’ not ‘add’. Our aim is to achieve the essence of a unique, unmistakeable style, where innovation meets and develops in harmony with a tradition which has become legendary."
