Philippe Briand Ltd
Philippe Briand Ltd is the London-based studio of French designer Philippe Briand, part of an integrated group alongside Vitruvius Yacht Design (Viareggio) and Briand Yacht Design (La Rochelle), with over 40 years of experience and 12,000 vessels launched, currently developing projects ranging from 52m to 100m.
A Holistic Vision of Design in Movement
Philippe Briand stands as one of the most prolific and influential figures in contemporary yacht design, with over 40 years of experience and more than 12,000 sailing vessels launched worldwide. His holistic vision encompasses everything from high-performance sailboats to megayachts and even cruise ships, operating through an integrated group of three specialized studios: Philippe Briand Ltd in London (personally led by Briand), Vitruvius Yacht Design in Viareggio (motor yachts under Michele Baccetti), and Briand Yacht Design in La Rochelle (sailing, hydrodynamics, and naval architecture under Yannick Abgral).
Recent Projects and Future Developments
The group's activity spans the entire spectrum of yachting. The 50m ALY50, recently launched by ALIA Yachts in Turkey, showcases Vitruvius's collaboration with Mulder Design and Liaigre. Under construction is a 52m Tankoa Vitruvius (delivery January 2026), while advanced design phases include a 79.5m Vitruvius with Oceanco, an 80m Vitruvius with Turquoise, and an unprecedented 100m Vitruvius Sailing Cruise Ship merging superyacht luxury with cruise capacity.
Sailing at the Core
Despite motor yacht success, Briand maintains that sailing vessels represent 'the most elegant and technically refined maritime objects ever created'. Current sailing projects include two luxury sailing yachts of 60m and 90m with reduced crew requirements, the new Blue Water Series (30-38m) for construction starting mid-2026, and a next-generation 60m zero-emissions yacht with advanced rigging—the CNB Sailing Yacht 62 having earned European Yacht of the Year 2026 nomination.
