Tommaso Spadolini
Tommaso Spadolini is a Florentine yacht designer and sailor, son of architect Pierluigi Spadolini, whose 40+ year career includes designing Fortuna for King Juan Carlos of Spain—holder of a 74.8 knot world speed record.
A Florentine Legacy on the Water
Tommaso Spadolini embodies the intersection of Italian design heritage and maritime passion. The youngest of five children of the great architect Pierluigi Spadolini, he grew up accompanying his father to shipyards, watching designs take shape on pieces of wood. After a brief detour into Geology—during which he spent a year and a half 'hammering rocks'—he transferred to Architecture, following his destiny. Today, his offices in Florence produce designs characterized by clean, essential lines that respect the water, waves, and wind.
The Fortuna and World Speed Record
When asked which project excited him most, Spadolini has no hesitation: Fortuna, the yacht he designed for King Juan Carlos of Spain. This vessel remains in the record books with an astonishing top speed of 74.8 knots—a world speed record that still stands. The project combined advanced naval architecture with the monarch's specific requirements, demonstrating Spadolini's ability to deliver extreme performance without sacrificing elegance. His first independent work was for the Barberis shipyard in La Spezia, designing interiors for the Barberis 43 and 53 motor yachts, launching a career that would span four decades.
Hand Drawing Only
Spadolini is a purist: only hand drawing. Brain, pencil, and paper are his fundamental tools. Inspiration strikes anywhere—often in Florence's cafes or restaurants—and his wife has learned to preserve the napkins and scraps on which he sketches future icons. Beyond design, Spadolini is an accomplished sailor, having won the 1976 Middle Sea Race first in class and overall first. 'My wife says I have salt in my veins,' he reflects. 'The sea is an extension of my self'.
