Where design meets engineering
The Phoenix Design Office, known as Studio 34° South, is the creative and technical heart of Phoenix Marine Manufacturing. Here, vision and practicality combine to produce the build-ready plans that guide every stage of construction.
As one of Cape Town’s leading yacht design offices, Studio 34° South transforms ideas into documentation that is precise, reliable, and production-ready. Every drawing, CNC file, and schematic is carefully engineered to support the discipline of quality boat building that defines Phoenix.
From concepts to build packs
The Phoenix Design Office prepares the documentation that makes reliable construction possible:
This meticulous preparation ensures that each workshop — composites, joinery, upholstery, electrical — can execute their work efficiently and to the highest standard.
Accuracy that saves time and reduces waste
Every file and drawing produced by Studio 34° South is designed to minimise error and material waste. Accurate CNC outputs reduce offcuts, while clash detection prevents costly rework. These efficiencies not only protect timelines and budgets but also align with Phoenix’s ethos of low-waste, sustainable manufacturing.
Collaboration across disciplines
The Phoenix Design Office works hand in hand with our workshops. Designers collaborate directly with laminators, joiners, electricians, and project managers to ensure that drawings are practical and executable. This cross-disciplinary approach blends engineering accuracy with real-world boatbuilding experience.
By grounding innovation in production knowledge, Studio 34° South ensures that what looks good on paper also works at sea.
Clarity for owners and crews
Our documentation doesn’t just serve the yard — it serves owners for the life of their yacht. Clearly labelled wiring diagrams, plumbing layouts, and system schematics make Phoenix vessels easier to service, upgrade, and maintain. This long-term clarity is part of our commitment to building boats that endure.
Innovation begins here
From hybrid propulsion readiness to smart boat technology, innovation at Phoenix begins in the design office. By working closely with suppliers and integrating new solutions into the earliest stages of design, Studio 34° South ensures that modern systems are seamlessly incorporated into every build.
The human touch
Behind every output from Studio 34° South is a team of engineers and designers who understand yachts — not only as technical projects but as living, moving environments at sea. Many are sailors themselves, bringing first-hand knowledge of safety, ergonomics, and life aboard into every drawing.
The backbone of quality boat building
The Phoenix Design Office, Studio 34° South, is not just a support function. It is the backbone of our approach to quality boat building in Cape Town. By providing accurate, serviceable, and innovative design documentation, it ensures that every Phoenix yacht — whether a luxury catamaran or a seagoing vessel — is built on solid foundations.