VIRTUAL Barcelona

Abstract

Architectural buildings and related urban centres are clearly linked to artistic, social and cultural visions of a location: their nature allows us to observe change over the years and monitor the origins and possible changes/new ways of using and living in said places. Although houses and boats have a number of shared features, it is difficult to transfer the same observations from one sector to another, since yachts are not tied to the same place during their life cycle. So, can a boat, too, become an expression of the artistic and cultural heritage of a specific place? In the history of sailing, one emblematic case is represented by HMY Britannia, yacht of the British royal family. Built by the Scottish shipyards of West Dunbartonshire, HMY Britannia was in service for forty-three years, showcasing the design culture and heritage of its country. At the end of service, the yacht returned to Scotland and was converted into a floating museum, a destination for tourists. This transformation, in addition to enhancing the yacht as an artistic and cultural heritage, currently avoids the environmental impact that disposal would cause. The exteriors of the yacht, anchored in Edinburgh, characterise the urban landscape by becoming part of it. This proposal therefore aims to outline how a boat becomes an expression of the identity of a place. In addition to the specific case study, the theory will be supported by other invaluable examples from the nautical field.