Winners of 2020 Beneteau Foundation competition about "The Modular Sailboat"
For the tenth consecutive year, the Beneteau Foundation organised a competition aimed at European students. This year's competition focused on the conception and design of a modular monohull sailboat.
Modularity of space being fundamental in today's design, attention was focused on the design of a scenario allowing for at least 2 possible configurations. It could be a short time modularity linked to the activities on the boat and/or a longer time modularity linked to the life of the boat. This concept of modularity had to take into account the interior and exterior fittings of the boat.
The jury met on 29 January 2021 and was composed of the following members : Annette Roux, President of the Beneteau Foundation, Louis-Claude Roux, Vice-Chairman of Groupe Beneteau's Bord of Directors, François Pelegrin, Architect, Gianguido Girotti, Groupe Beneteau's Deputy CEO in charge of Product and Brand Strategy, Damien Jacob, Sailboat Marketing Director, Erik Stromberg, Powerboat Marketing Director, Cyril Sancereau, Photographer - Architect, and the 2018 winners Antoine Capaldi, Tanguy de Bonnières and Aurel Bonnin.
First prize : Fuboat 
Thibault Hiss, student at ENSAAMA 2019/2020 and the Beaux-arts de Paris 2020-21
The Fuboat concept is inspired by the fundamental principles of traditional Japanese houses and their principles of modularity of space. In addition, the rigging's load-bearing structure allows the interior space to be freed from a through mast, creating a modular living space. The jury particularly appreciated the bold and elegant design of this project.
Second prize : Optimus 36 
Amaury Pluyaut, a student at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Nantes and the Ecole Centrale de Nantes
By choosing to temporalize the spaces rather than fragment them, the concept of the Optimus 36 proposes to restore volume to the interior by subdiving the hull into three modular parts. It is thus possible to divide the layout of the yacht into five configurations. The jury rewarded here the quality of the concept as well as the technical response provided.
Third prize : Flower Power
Eliot Montaudon, a student at the School of Design of Nantes and the IUT of Nantes
The Flower Power has an extension that unfolds to offer 3 positions. More than a simple tender on the water, it replaces the bimini when on board and can also be used as a stern platform. This dual use of the dinghy was particularly noticed by the jury.
About Groupe Beneteau
Founded in Vendée 139 years ago by Benjamin Bénéteau, Groupe Beneteau today has international industrial capabilities, with 22 production sites, and a global sales network. In 2022, Groupe Beneteau recorded €1.5bn of revenues, employing around 8,000 people, primarily in France, the United States, Poland, Italy and Portugal.
A global market leader, Groupe Beneteau, thanks to its Boat division’s nine brands, offers more than 150 recreational boat models serving its customers’ diverse navigational needs and uses, from sailing to motorboating, monohulls and catamarans.
Through its Boating Solutions division, the Group is also present in the daily or weekly rental services, marina, digital and financing sectors.
Its Housing division is a major European player for leisure homes, lodges and pods, with its 3 brands (IRM, O'HARA, COCO SWEET) offering a wide range of products. It has 900 employees across six production sites in France and one in Italy, and generated €257.2m of revenues in 2022.
Boat brands: BENETEAU, JEANNEAU, LAGOON, PRESTIGE, DELPHIA, EXCESS, FOUR WINNS, WELLCRAFT, SCARAB and GLASTRON.
