THE MEDIA VOICE OF THE GLOBAL MARINA INDUSTRY

Bring in the architects

by Oscar Siches


Long gone are the times when having a permit for a coastal development meant that piers would be built, a small office set up ashore, and the marina management waited until achieving a reasonable occupation of berths for business success.

The symbolic centrepiece of Monaco’s remodelled harbour front, the Yacht Club de Monaco was designed by Foster & Partners. Photo:Alexandre Prevot

The symbolic centrepiece of Monaco’s remodelled harbour front, the Yacht Club de Monaco was designed by Foster & Partners. Photo:Alexandre Prevot

Today, the marina industry has changed totally. First, you decide/choose your ideal client: a social profile (retired people, young couples with children, working professionals), type of boat, and what they will use it for (cruising, day trip). Then you start designing the marina, not forgetting the services required (parking, security, boat maintenance) and the onshore facilities (commercial spaces, restaurants, bars, gym, security, children’s playgrounds etc).
Everything has to take other things into consideration: toilets at a reasonable distance from piers, restaurants, bars and commercial spaces, parking close enough to the marina uplands, access roads for the bigger boats with parking for suppliers and service companies, food and beverage deliveries and deliveries to the commercial spaces, a refuse collection point that’s far away enough away to not be noisy but not be inconvenient, and so on. I could cite many more factors that must be considered for a harmonious system and an optimal marina operation.
Porto Antico di Genova was reconnected to the sea for the 1992 Expo just after it incorporated the Genoa Fair. Many architects were involved in the ensuing transformation including Renzo Piano and Jean Nouvel.

Porto Antico di Genova was reconnected to the sea for the 1992 Expo just after it incorporated the Genoa Fair. Many architects were involved in the ensuing transformation including Renzo Piano and Jean Nouvel.

But in the previous paragraphs, we have not mentioned people. In the marinas of the 1960s, the people, i.e. the boat users, would circulate from cars to boats, making the marinas a mere passage from land to water and the other way around when mooring up at the end of the day. Today, the land-water interface function remains, but the social types frequenting the marina are more varied: boaters, restaurant goers, shop patrons, visitors, sportsmen, a substantial amount of marina personnel, and technical services providers. Marinas have become small communities.
When I worked in marine electronics, the greatest challenge was not the performance of the electronics but meeting the client’s expectations. Having a Satcom and a telephone exchange made them think they could access international communications from aboard their yacht and everywhere nearby. Remember that back then (mid-90s), we were only at the outset of mobile and satellite communications.
Today, the expectations of those outside the marina world are higher still. This is a result of the evolution marinas have enjoyed, but we designers and operators have to face the mistaken parties who thought they had discovered King Midas’ secret or the philosopher’s stone. People see only gleaming yachts in the marina with wealthy owners onboard, not realising that the owners will spend just a small fraction of time at the marina while the crews will stay for around 300 days a year, becoming the permanent, constant, reliable client.
We have learned that people are an important asset, and we must make them feel they are in the best possible place. To achieve that, we cannot depend only on berths, services and technology. Dan Natchez, an experienced and successful marina designer who has long been a mentor to many of us, has highlighted that the user’s first impression of a marina is actually when coming through the entrance, and this point signifies what they can expect beyond. That all-important first impression, perceived in the first five seconds, is very hard to change. One of the subliminal messages received is: “This is what we, the marina, think you are worth.” This is also where architecture becomes a factor of fundamental importance when designing a modern marina.
We older marina designers, ‘design dinosaurs’ as we are perhaps known, have been dealing with marina design to set up upland needs, guided by our assumptions of how the marina had to be. Sometimes, architects were involved, mainly to cope with urban regulations. A marina was supposed to be about boats, not buildings or parks. That has changed forever. In today’s marina, we must balance form and function, and consider people traffic, privacy, security, restaurant and bar appeal, and ambience. Any building and construction must function whilst complementing other parts of the marina as well as the marina’s services.
An historic mistake we, as dino-designers, made was to look at the marina from the landside. We would walk around the place, discussing it with architects and looking towards the water. By doing that, we missed the first impression of 50% of the marina users: those who arrive by boat.
French industrial design icon Philippe Starck has made such a mark on Porto Adriano in Mallorca that the marina is marketed as “The Starck Marina”. His avant-garde design is most notable in the communal areas and the shopping complex.

French industrial design icon Philippe Starck has made such a mark on Porto Adriano in Mallorca that the marina is marketed as “The Starck Marina”. His avant-garde design is most notable in the communal areas and the shopping complex.

In 2007 IGY, one of the world’s most successful marina groups, devised a moto: “Arrival is just the beginning.” It says everything, and it is still 100% valid today; it is an invitation and a promise of something fantastic, of the unique experience that awaits.
That is what we marina designers and operators must keep in mind. From the beacon at the furthest pontoon to the design and layout of the pedestals, fire fighting stations, toilets, rescue ladders, light poles, shoreside buildings and the marina entrance, we must provide beauty (85% of human perception comes through the eyes), efficiency and comfort, and account for the feasible possibility of making changes after eight to ten years, as marinas evolve much faster than before, embracing social changes, boat changes, different rules and government attitudes.
Marina di Varazze was sensitively designed by Turin-based architects Roberto Gabetti and Aimaro Isola with the collaboration of Pietro Venezia from Varazze. Buildings are inspired by local bathing establishments of the early 20th century.

Marina di Varazze was sensitively designed by Turin-based architects Roberto Gabetti and Aimaro Isola with the collaboration of Pietro Venezia from Varazze. Buildings are inspired by local bathing establishments of the early 20th century.

Be wary of something that has not changed with time. There are three ‘types’ of marina – the user’s marina, the operator’s marina, and the government’s marina, and each must balance desire with feasibility. Architects should consult us professionals for the particularities of the business as they are the ones with the knowledge of people, form and volumes, nature and art. If we want to create a superb marina, we need them to weave their magic and, although some well-known architects have ventured into yachting and marinas in the past, like Sir Norman Foster, Renzo Piano (a yachtsman himself) and Jean Nouvel, they should be welcomed into our industry more often.
For architects, it is challenging to work in this specific world, interfacing people with land and water. But the user will immediately recognise something well-designed to fit the homely, comforting feeling associated with a yacht harbour.
Not only do we arrive at the marina, but if there is also a beautiful view and efficient service to receive us, then we feel totally welcome immediately. When you get it right, no-one will feel any desire to leave. And the marina crew will not only take care of the clients but feel proud to be part of such a harmonious operation.

READ MORE

Suntex opts for Storable technology

Second club in Brisbane

ISO wins for Liverpool

Floating dock helps meet demand for superyacht berthing

Seawall specialist appoints distributor

Diamond range launched in Amsterdam

Buying and Selling Marinas 0125

Ecotourism Australia

Coral Sea earns a first in sustainability certification

Innovation to restore seagrass meadows

Real time spill detection: automatically

Tomorrows solutions for todays problems

Navigating through choppy waters

Five star luxury at all new Porto Carlo Riva

Metstrade record breaker sets ground for bumper 2025 event

Pioneering inclusion: boatfolks accessible boating vision

Focus on future proofing

First urban marina in Huelva

Marina expansion to be hub of new harbour district

Yachting hub features in Airport City plans

Vilamoura marks 50 years with Nova Marina launch

Outstanding sweep at marina awards

LAMDA Marinas signs to build and operate megayacht marina

Survey reveals vital economic contribution

Poralu Marine launches Wearth Group

Jeddah Marina receives operator licence

USA: Major infrastructure improvements for Broadwater

FRANCE: Poralu Marine launches Wearth Group

SPAIN: Palma yard adds berths to boost refit projects

USA: MGBW designated Foreign Trade Zone

AUSTRALIA: Superyacht marina celebrates marker anniversary

NETHERLANDS: Metstrade 2024 sets ground for bumper 2025 event

UK: MDL continues unprecedented investment

Smart member comms at Hong Kong yacht club

Managing berths at expanded sites

Installing safe mooring systems

Protecting pontoon boats

Surviving Hurricane Beryl

Smart systems streamline Croatian marinas

Cimolai Technology: catering for all boat sizes

New crane design unveiled in Amsterdam

Marine Travelift E Series is ready to roll

Innovation and sustainability

Kropf delivers first all electric boat hoist

BUYING and SELLING MARINAS

Marinetek marks 30 years

Monaco Rendezvous: Smart and Sustainable Marinas 2024

Project Valencia: integrating the port with the city

Bringing new life to Banagher Marina

Is the essence of Port Grimaud under threat

Factoring in the need for electric power

Substantial progress for luxury wellness destination

Building on water The floating possibilities

Dates and times for Marinas26

Conference honours marinas and yards

Queensland marinas driving employment

Walcon to build SIBS marina for 15 years

Gold Anchor winners take centre stage

Newly merged pontoon companies eye global expansion

Iowa marina ramps up improvement plans

New management at Karpaz Gate

Code of Practice revision for now and the future

Waiheke wins green 'credits'

Dock replacement progress at Salty Sams

D Marin to manage new Med style marina

BMDC confirms construction milestone

Las Olas opens as a 'gateway to the city'

Ground breaks on first international standard marina

Pre-register for IWMC 2025

Western Marinas buys Marine and Property assets

ICOMIA and EBI launch charter standard

UK: New marina for Isle of Wight

MALDIVES: MoU signed for Uligan marina

TURKS and CAICOS: Property sells fast at luxury Cove development

SAUDI ARABIA: IGY to manage Sindalah Yacht Club

PORTUGAL: Expansion push at Lindley Marinas

USA: Suntex buys Hidden Cove Marina

Charlotte Harbor upgrades with new Travelift

Innovation comes in threes

Boosting the AcqueraPro network

Concrete breakwater protects municipal marina

Showcasing industry innovations

Driving growth in superyacht cruising

Transparent billing and control

Repowering inland marinas

Preparing for electric boat charging

Fast charge in Brittany

Redefining marina safety and connectivity

Continuing success in Middle East

Developing pedestals as 'technological hubs'

Broom Boats sells to Horning Pleasurecraft

Call for bids to operate Funchal Marina

Building a marina portfolio

Bring in the architects

Coastal concepts: re imagining marina potential

Port Vell shape up for America's Cup

D Marin wins tender for Camille Rayon

City green lights marina rebuild

Attenuator offers sailboat storage

Piers replaced at QEII Marina

Suntex and Northgate to manage Kimberling Resort

Biggest marina in Seoul approved

MALTA: Superyacht berth sold

UK: MDL Marinas invests in upgrades at Ocean Village Marina

BVI: Mainstay endorses Nanny Cay expansion plans

AUSTRALIA: Alder expands reach in Whitsundays

THAILAND: Key boat shows to merge for 2025

NEW ZEALAND: Marlborough Sounds clinches first Clean Marina certificates

UK: Improving the Beacon

NETHERLANDS: Lots to come at Metstrade 2024

USA: Suntex buys Marine Emporium Landing

Waste clearance on the seabed

Barefoot safe decking options

New hoist completes cat haul out facility

The widest docks in Spain

How technology paves the way for a smarter marina

Avoid the pitfalls and spot the trends

Scottish marina offers development opportunities

SEA Index rolls out to French marinas

European marinas advance ocean stewardship

World first vessel to grid project

Selecting the best charge points

Marinas24: big turnout for new venue

Fourth Monaco Rendezvous focuses on innovation

IBEX 2024: Exploring the biggest issues

Creative solutions for challenging projects

Building tomorrow's floating structures

Continuing the sustainability programme

Perfecting a forklift portfolio

Collaboration sets groundwork for advanced drystack build

Sheltering boats in North Bimini

Vintage drystack is now history

Patterson Lakes: pioneering Australian automated technology

A1 plans for superyacht marina

J Pier go ahead for Sanctuary

Marina stars in latest Neom release

Four Seasons invests in Jacksonville plans

Investment boosts Ayla tourism offering

Landmark marina plans on Delaware River

BAHRAIN: Marina project ahead of schedule

MONACO: Landmark race for electric boats

GREECE: Ambitious targets for marine protection

NEW ZEALAND: Hobbs Bay marina proposal

MADAGASCAR: Maritime MoU signed with Abu Dhabi group

USA: Be prepared for hurricane season

UK: Windermere Marina project completes

USA: New managers for Ft Lauderdale superyacht marina

Italian marinas in the broader context

MDL partners with Club Lagoon

Inland marina: first for hydrogen