Jacopo Leoni has reimagined the humble houseboat through a high-design lens.
The Italian designer, who founded his eponymous workshop in 2020, just unveiled a new floating home concept that combines architectural artistry with marine engineering.
Aptly christened the Cube Houseboat, the angular vessel was inspired by the pioneering creations of the modernist movement and the work of Swiss-French architect and designer Le Corbusier. The foundation of the design is a robust aluminum catamaran with slightly curved and asymmetrical displacement hulls. The superstructure, or “cubic house” as Leoni calls it, showcases a mix of aluminum and red reinforced glass.
The base of the houseboat is an aluminum catamaran.
The living quarters are spread across three decks. The upper deck is home to an owner’s suite with a personal Jacuzzi, as well as a scenic outdoor wheelhouse and a sizable custom swimming pool. A few steps below, the main deck offers ample space for entertaining both indoors and out.
The superstructure is made of aluminum and reinforced glass.
Down more steps still, the lower deck houses all the machinery (tanks, chain lockers, and the like). The stern offers space for water toys and other equipment, while the bow is dedicated to mooring. (Guests enter the bow via an external door, while the crew can take ladders.)
The aft deck.
In terms of grunt, the cat is equipped with two propellers that are powered by a diesel engine through a reverse-reduction gearbox. Leoni didn’t give an estimated range or top speed, but says you can expect “a smooth and efficient voyage.”
The Smooth limousine tender.
The Cube Houseboat is one of six projects Leoni Design Workshop is presenting this week as part of an exhibition in Italy. The team unveiled a 33-foot limousine tender called Smooth on Monday, a 49-foot chase boat named Edge on Tuesday, and the Cube Houseboat on Wednesday, with three more designs to be unveiled online in the coming days.
The Edge chase boat.
Physical models of all six concepts will then be on display at the “Beyond Horizons: A Voyage through Yacht Design” show in Tuscany on Saturday, November 18. Leoni says the exhibition will be a “transformative experience” and will “redefine the boundaries of yacht design.” At the very least, it’s a chance to visit Italy. To attend, you’ll need to request an invitation by emailing info@ldwo.it. The workshop will then send you all the requisite information. If you can’t get to Tuscany, though, the designs will be displayed online.