Luiz de Basto Designs
Miami-based Luiz de Basto Designs creates visionary yachts that fuse sculptural aesthetics with advanced functionality, from sleek production boats to avant-garde megayachts like the 90m DAR.
Operating out of Miami, Luiz de Basto Designs is a studio known for creating visionary yachts that masterfully fuse sculptural aesthetics with advanced functionality. Luiz de Basto's work is described as 'practically striking,' with a portfolio that spans from sleek production boats to avant-garde megayachts. Every project is a tailor-made creation, precisely aligned with the owner's vision. With a strong focus on pushing design boundaries, de Basto has become a sought-after partner for shipyards seeking innovation.
An Unexpected Path to Yacht Design
De Basto's career in yacht design began with an unusual opportunity while he was teaching at a School of Architecture. A student asked if he could help her father, who had just bought a shipyard, to improve an existing yacht project. De Basto sketched his own ideas, was hired on the spot, and the resulting 56-foot model was so well-received that the shipyard built and successfully sold four units. This project launched his career, a path that perfectly synthesized his two great passions: architecture and automobiles.
Signature Projects and Design Wisdom
While Luiz de Basto loves all his creations, projects initiated on his own and later finding an owner are particularly rewarding. One such project is the 90-meter DAR, now known as Luna. His design advice to newcomers is simple yet profound: 'Listen to the client! The client is at the beginning and at the end of the design process.' He is particularly excited about future trends driven by changes in lifestyle and advances in technology, as a new generation of owners understands that a yacht is more than just a villa by the ocean.
