Bannenberg & Rowell Design: Contemporary Yacht Design

Bannenberg & Rowell Design

Bannenberg & Rowell Design, led by Dickie Bannenberg and Simon Rowell, is the London-based studio carrying forward the legendary Bannenberg legacy while forging a distinct contemporary identity. At the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show, they discussed balancing heritage with innovation on projects including Spitfire and the monumental 7,000 GT Renaissance.

Navigating Heritage and Innovation

At the Monaco Yacht Show 2025, Dickie Bannenberg and Simon Rowell, Creative Director and CEO of Bannenberg & Rowell Design, spoke candidly about their mission: honoring the legendary Bannenberg name while forging a distinct, contemporary identity. Both acknowledged the weight of the family legacy—Dickie's father Jon Bannenberg revolutionized superyacht design in the late 20th century—while emphasizing their commitment to pushing creative territory that reflects modern owners' desires for space, flexibility, and sustainability.

Striking Projects

The studio's portfolio includes diverse projects demonstrating their range. The striking Spitfire showcases their bold aesthetic, while the monumental Renaissance, one of the studio's largest creations to date, spans approximately 7,000 gross tons . Bannenberg and Rowell explained how they maintain human scale and intimate feel even on vast yachts by carefully crafting spaces that connect emotionally with owners and guests, using interior architecture principles rather than simply dividing space with walls.

Design Philosophy

Simon Rowell articulated their approach: 'It is challenging and sometimes you have to overcome preconceptions, and you have to go back to interior architecture guidelines and remember you don't have to divide a space up with walls' . They view the yacht's evolving role as an experience platform rather than merely a vessel, challenging themselves to reconcile innovation with authenticity while ensuring enduring elegance shapes the industry's visual language for years to come.