In the year that Venice celebrated its 1600th anniversary since its founding (March 25, 421 A.D. according to Venetian tradition), French architect and designer Philippe Starck has rethought one of the most representative icons of the lagoon city, the gondola.

Within the framework of Ca’ Foscari University VeniSIA – Venice Sustainability Innovation Accelerator, Starck has created the 3D prototype of the gondola of the future but it is only the first of a series of international talents that will collaborate with VeniSIA.

Dream of Winter gondola for Venice, this is the name of the project, is a hi-tech boat of the latest generation and sustainable ready to face the environmental challenges that we will face.  

The characteristics of the “gondola of the future” fully reflect the parameters of navigability and sustainable production while managing to combine design, aesthetics and tradition.
The materials and technologies for the realization of the gondola in fact, have been designed to meet those requirements that can no longer be ignored: algae bioresins, compressed bamboo, gyroscopic stabilizer powered by solar energy and electric assistance with mini turbine powered by solar energy and hydro-generator.

The 3D image of the new gondola design will be on display at Ca’ Foscari’s Strategy Innovation Hub, where thousands of students will be able to study and admire it.

About the project Philippe Starck said: “ have a lot of admiration and respect for the gondola, one of the most complex boats in the world with its completely asymmetrical design but which nevertheless perfectly balances its weight and can navigate easily even in the most difficult conditions. (…) it’s pure magic. For this is a great honor for me to imagine a dream gondola and, above all, a winter gondola with a small room in the center”.