Design plays a fundamental role in driving sustainability across material selection, vessel construction and long-term operation. From shaping initial project requirements to overseeing execution, the decisions made by designers, project managers and clients lay the foundation for successful and sustainable project delivery.

Last week, SPARK co-founder Charles Dence participated in a workshop organised by the Water Revolution Foundation (WRF) and interior fabricators F/Yachting in Austria. This collaborative event brought together designers, project managers and shipyard representatives to explore sustainable materials, innovative design solutions and emerging practices in the superyacht sector.
Workshop Themes
Sustainability & Lifecycle Management: Long-term thinking and a circular approach to yacht design.
Changing Client Values: Addressing evolving perceptions of luxury, sustainability and design.
Endangered Species: Tackling challenges and identifying solutions for responsible material use.
Beyond Teak: Exploring alternative materials and their applications.
Interactive discussions were complemented by presentations of alternative materials developed by the F/Lab research team and a guided tour of F/Yachting’s state-of-the-art interior production facilities.

Key Takeaways
Lifecycle Thinking
A lifecycle approach considers the extraction, transport, processing, product delivery, operation and end-of-life impact of materials and products.
Collaboration Across the Sector
Addressing issues like alternative materials, sustainable design and lifecycle management requires a united effort across the yachting ecosystem.
Misconceptions About Natural Materials
Natural materials aren’t inherently sustainable by default, environmental impact must be objectively assessed.
Client Awareness
Clients often lack knowledge about evolving sustainability regulations, suitable materials and sustainable products, relying on supply-side "market-makers” including designers, client teams, shipyards and subcontractors to propose validated alternatives.
Investment in Innovation
Developing and validating alternative materials can be a business differentiator but requires significant upfront investment of time and resources.
Balancing Luxury and Sustainability
Clients often cite cost as a barrier to adopting sustainable solutions, yet paradoxically, they are willing to pay a premium for perceived luxury.
Quality as Sustainability
Investing in high-quality materials and construction processes promotes sustainability through longevity, ease of maintenance and refit.
Communicating Value
Demonstrating the added benefits of sustainable materials—such as reduced time, cost and complexity, or increased durability, maintainability and flexibility —can help overcome resistance.
Imperfect Solutions
Perfectionism can hinder progress. Embracing imperfection recognises that aesthetic quality isn’t always synonymous with functional quality.
Trust and Collaboration
Trust is vital in this inherently complex industry. Success depends on integrating expertise across disciplines with clear communication to reassure clients.

Workshop Summary
The event highlighted the critical role that designers, project managers and shipyards play in advancing sustainability. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are essential to overcoming the complex challenges of yacht design and construction.
At SPARK, we are committed to researching and validating new materials and practices across the supply chain. We look forward to continuing collaboration with like-minded peers, where design and innovation serve as drivers of improvement.
Thanks to Water Revolution Foundation and our hosts F/Yachting, and all the participants for an inspiring and productive experience.
For further information, the Designer’s Protocol developed by WRF provides a practical framework of key topics to guide more sustainable design decisions.

Image credits F/Yachting
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