On July 24, Azimut Yachts marked a new chapter in its storied history with the official inauguration of its fully renovated headquarters in Avigliana. The ceremony was led by Giovanna Vitelli, Chair of the Azimut|Benetti Group, and CEO Marco Valle. They were joined by the Mayor of Avigliana, Andrea Archinà, and the 1,500 employees whose passion and dedication fuel Azimut’s mission: to build the most beautiful, reliable, and innovative yachts in the world, and support them anytime, anywhere.
The headquarters transformation is part of a €50 million investment in the production site and signals a cultural shift as much as an architectural one. Overseen by the renowned AMDL CIRCLE and architect Michele De Lucchi, the project included the complete restyling of the main building and construction of a new multifunctional entrance pavilion. Settanta7 led the redesign of the employee offices, which now embrace a new architectural language centered on openness, transparency, and collaboration. The renovation also delivered significant upgrades in energy efficiency and environmental performance.
With the full backing of Chair Giovanna Vitelli, the redesign reflects a broader evolution in the company’s work model—one that emphasizes teamwork, cross-functional collaboration, and the dismantling of rigid hierarchies. Coming at a time of successful generational transition, the project embodies a new leadership style that blends family-rooted entrepreneurial vision with modern governance and forward-thinking talent.
The headquarters renovation draws inspiration from a dialogue between history and innovation. It reinterprets the original architecture designed in the 1990s by iconic Italian architects Gabetti & Isola, who helped define 20th-century architecture in Italy. AMDL CIRCLE, also responsible for Azimut’s famous “yacht in the pool” installation during Milan Design Week, revisits and extends this heritage with a contemporary statement: the new pavilion, which serves as the gateway to a “heritage walk” that narrates the company’s bold, glamorous story.
“I had the image of the Louvre pyramid in mind,” said Vitelli. “A symbol of changing times, and a reminder that the new finds strength in dialogue with the past. Azimut has more than fifty years of history, and the best way to honor it is to keep evolving, just as my father always did.”
The design juxtaposes sleek, metallic elements—reminiscent of yachts—with the historic brick structures of the original building. A shallow water feature reflects the models of Azimut’s most revolutionary innovations, including the now industry-standard hull glazing that replaced traditional portholes in 2003. The new headquarters echoes that same spirit, incorporating floor-to-ceiling windows to blur the boundary between innovation at sea and innovation on land.
Meeting rooms named after founder Paolo Vitelli’s boats—Gogamigoga, Goga, and Goghina—offer sweeping views of the Sacra di San Michele, reinforcing transparency both visually and conceptually. Open spaces, glass walls, and shared environments replace conventional executive offices to support a flexible and collaborative work culture.
At the heart of the building lies a cutting-edge Virtual Reality room, where Azimut’s technical and design teams work side-by-side—and where clients can customize layouts and finishes in real time through immersive digital tools.
The new headquarters will welcome employees in September, coinciding with the start of the nautical year, as Azimut continues to shape the future of yachting from the foothills of the Italian Alps.
For more information: azimutyachts.com
