SYD Week Speaker Spotlight: Ken Freivokh

Designer of The Maltese Falcon and more recently of the 141m schooner Dream Symphony, the world's largest sailing yacht currently under construction, Ken Freivokh is certainly known for pushing design boundaries. He will be taking to the stage at SuperyachtDESIGN Week for a keynote session entitled 'What can we change?'. He talks to SYD about his design background, design ethos and why events like this are important.

SuperyachtDesign: Why did you become a superyacht designer?

Ken Freivokh: By accident. I was working in London as an architect and industrial designer when I ordered a new half tonne racing sailing yacht. The order was placed on the understanding that the shipyard would agree to incorporate all the custom modifications I proposed. Once my production yacht was built, all the subsequent owners insisted on having the yachts customised in line with my proposals, so the shipyard commissioned me to design their new range of yachts. This lead to other companies requesting design work for their own model ranges, and I have not stopped since…

SYD: What inspires you?

KF: The opportunity to innovate, to find unique, original solutions to problems. It is particularly satisfying when such solutions work well and are quite at variance with the established norm.

SYD: What makes the world of superyacht design such an exciting realm to work in?

KF: The combination of artistry, proportion, function, technical know-how with budgets that allow for innovation and a high standard of the finished product.

SYD: What five words best describe your design style?

KF: Innovative, unique, purposeful, elegant, well proportioned

SYD: You will be on the panel for the Keynote Session entitled ‘What Can We Change?’. Why do you think it is important for designers to look at what needs to change and evolve in the design world?

KF: Design should not remain static – it needs to evolve with time, with breakthroughs in technology, with findings in science and related disciplines, such as structural design. Designers worth their salt should explore the possibilities that come available when yacht design adopts the technology and approaches already evident in architecture and transport design, such as planes and trains.

SYD: Why are events like SuperyachtDESIGN Week important?

KF: Many of the top professions require those practising to show evidence of continued professional development. Yacht designers are not required to show specific qualifications or indeed to make any effort to take their thinking and development to new levels, and be able to offer more than what is already in the marketplace. Similarly, the expectations of most owners and their representatives are not exactly demanding, perhaps partly because they do not have the awareness that more is not only possible, but that they should insist on it. Attending events such as this may just be the required wake-up call!

The Keynote Session 'What can we change?’ will take place on Tuesday 18 June 2013 at 10:45 to 11:30 at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. To learn more about SuperyachtDESIGN Week, the programme and register to attend, visit the SuperyachtDESIGN Week website here. You can keep up to date with the event, speakers and share your thoughts on Twitter using #SYDWeek.

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