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Seatec 2010, the eighth year of the international exhibition for technology, subcontracting and design for boats, yachts and ships due to take place at Carrara Fiere from 10 to 12 February 2010, announces for the fourth year running the design competition “Abitare la Barca” (Living on Board). The competition theme: Open motor boats, maximum length eight metres, with particular attention to low environmental impact. The entrants, university students at the Faculties of Industrial Design, Nautical Engineering and Architecture selected by their professors to enter the competition, will be competing for the prestigious award designing in a specific area during the first two days of the Seatec exhibition.

Seatec 2010, the 8th International exhibition for technology, subcontracting and design for boats, yachts and ships, due to be held in Marina di Carrara from Wednesday 10 to Friday 12 February 2010, announces for the fourth year running the design competition “Abitare la Barca” (Living on Board) open to university students at the Faculties of Industrial Design, Nautical Engineering and Architecture selected by their professors, a maximum of 2 students per faculty.

The competition organiser, sensitive as always to topical issues, aims to stimulate students in the research of new solutions combining the playful aspect with a focus on the eco-sustainability of the project, as the fourth year’s competition rules state: “Open motor boats, maximum length eight metres, with particular attention to low environmental impact in their layout and choice of propeller, purely for pleasure: spaces, equipment, furnishings for fishing, sunbathing, water skiing, sharing moments of leisure .To enjoy the sea all day long”.

The unique aspect of the competition is of course the “live” execution of the projects. The competitors will actually be designing their projects in a special area set aside for them at the exhibition centre on 10 and 11 February and will be handing in their projects by 1 pm on the second day. The Jury, composed of leading authorities from the world of culture, industry and design, will examine the individual projects and the awards-giving ceremony will take place straight after lunch at 2.30 pm.

The competition “Abitare la Barca” enables students to compete outside the university environment. The event confirms once again Seatec’s commitment to helping young people who want to further their formal training and careers in the yachting world. Thanks to the presence of entrepreneurs and professionals from the yachting world at the exhibition, the award is in fact an excellent opportunity for these young designers to be noticed.

The competition was first held in 2007 as part of Seatec’s programme aimed at stimulating the creative flair of young designers and in just a short time has become a reference point for the design world and is increasingly arousing interest from the academic world too.

“Abitare la barca” is part of the Abitare il Mare events calendar, that includes events and competitions at Seatec linked to design themes and includes the MYDA (Millennium Yacht Design Award), Targa Bonetto, Qualitec Design Award and a conference on topics related to pleasure boat design.