Inside "CoDe": Tihany’s Immersive Italian Design Museum at Sea

Concept & Design

CoDe stands as the world’s first floating Italian design museum, celebrating Made-in-Italy heritage through furniture, fashion, film, and household objects. Tihany’s vision transforms the space into a cinematic "voyage within a voyage," ushering guests through a Kubrick‑esque tunnel of gleaming stainless‑steel discs and red‑carpeted pathways. Cylindrical, transparent-glass display islands punctuate the walkthrough, offering dynamic engagement at every turn.

Recognition

In 2020, CoDe earned the prestigious Golden A’ Design Award in the Cultural Heritage & Culture Industry category, a testament to its innovative intersection of maritime flow and museum-grade presentation.

The Creators

Adam D. Tihany, the founding force behind Tihany Design (est. 1978), is widely regarded as the originator of “restaurant designer” and has shaped world-class hospitality interiors—from La Coupole and Per Se to At.Mosphere Dubai.

Matteo Vercelloni, Milan‑trained architect, brought scholarly curation and exhibition expertise, selecting 470 iconic design pieces tracing Italian innovation from the 1930s to today.

Visitor Experience

Arriving through the reflective tunnel, guests are immediately enveloped in a theatrical sequence, with the freedom to drift in and out of exhibit zones designed as seamless extensions of the passageway. Each visit becomes a personal journey through Italy’s design legacy, enhanced by sophisticated lighting and polished materials.