The Modern Argonaut

Sailing the Creative Seas with Jérome Hein

In an era where the essence of luxury smoothly integrates with the principles of design, Jérome Hein, at the helm of The A Group, navigates the intertwined paths of architectural brilliance and yacht design innovation. Rooted in the illustrious backdrop of Monaco, Hein propels his father’s visionary legacy toward new horizons of sustainability, mastery in craftsmanship, and artistic integrity. This conversation reveals how an enduring relationship with the sea, coupled with an unwavering dedication to design superiority, orchestrates the evolution of premier residential and yacht endeavors.

The A Group is renowned for blending the artistry of yacht design with architectural innovation. How
does this unique combination reflect in the core philosophy and daily operations of your company?

We are convinced that architecture can bring a significant amount of creativity and innovation to the yacht design industry and vice versa. This duality has become a very strong element of our DNA and philosophy.

Given your background in residential architecture and the legacy of yacht design from your father, how do you navigate the challenges and opportunities this dual focus presents?

I still have much to learn from my father and the yachting industry. However, I believe the key is to surround yourself with essential partners who will help our company progress in the right direction. That is my focus.

As CEO, your leadership is pivotal. What’s one strategic decision you’ve made that significantly shaped the company’s direction or ethos?

I am committed to maintaining the ‘family spirit’ and a friendly atmosphere in our daily work. I strongly believe that a positive work environment is crucial for success. One of my core principles is to involve the team extensively, ensuring that everyone works together and communicates effectively.

Monaco is a symbol of luxury and exclusivity. How has its environment influenced a specific design or project approach that wouldn’t have been conceived elsewhere?

Monaco is a very inspiring place. It is not just luxury and exclusivity, and that is what makes this place so unique. It is full of energy with a strong multiculturalism, and a very innovative spirit. These characteristics have provided us with opportunities to work on a variety of projects. Recently, we were selected to design the Monaco Pavilion for the upcoming World Expo in Osaka in 2025. The design is complete, and we have now begun the construction follow-up
phase. For this project, we aimed to showcase Monaco’s commitment to sustainable development by proposing a pavilion designed as a garden, challenging visitors to consider the importance of green spaces in cities. In our profession, every new project—be it a house, a boat, a public space, or a private area—is a unique journey shaped by its specific environment and distinct constraints. We never design the same project twice.

Sustainability is reshaping industries globally. Can you discuss a project where The A Group pioneered eco-friendly design in an unexpected way?

Sustainability is definitely the biggest challenge we are facing. The construction industry is one of the most consuming in the world, yet we are in a leading position when it comes to experimenting with innovations and influencing our society’s way of life. I can mention here one of our latest yacht projects, for which The A Group was the Project Manager and Owner’s Representative. Named H3, this yacht is actually a refit project of a yacht designed
and delivered by The A Group more than 20 years ago. Bringing an existing superyacht up to date with an amazing aesthetic and technical transformation has an even more positive effect as a sustainable new build. In the same field, I can say that we are currently focusing on a project that is again on the border between architecture and yacht design. The idea is to imagine a modular and reusable project that will constantly change style according to the client’s desires, giving it a new identity without necessarily demolishing and rebuilding it.—.