Sailing Architect
Exploring the wonders of the world is where the best of Willem Jan’s worlds come together, born from his professions as a Professional Sailor and Architect.
Professional sailing
Sailing Architect collaborates with (super) yachting professionals through its expertise in Yacht Marketing, Sponsor Management, and Project Management.
Super yacht marketing
Sailing Architect has been involved in several Yacht Marketing projects since 2023. A very special and unique project is the collaboration with the owner of the 172 ft. SY Doña Francisca, Mr. Juan Carlos Lopez Mena, and the team of Sailing Architect Yacht Marketing. The Doña Francisca, a full carbon schooner, was commissioned in 2013 by Juan Carlos and built in Montevideo, Uruguay, with a team of leading experts in the Super Yacht Business, designed by Naval Architect Javier Soto Acebal.
Sponsor management
Between 2016 and 2023, Willem Jan supported the Foundation Holland Ocean Racing as their chairman and operational manager, in collaboration with VOR skipper Hans Bouscholte. To keep a foundation running and a 60 ft. Volvo Ocean Racer in the best shape to sail, sponsor management is a key aspect. Bolsius International was attracted as the main sponsor, and several other companies as sub sponsors, to support the team.
Since 2023, Sailing Architect has continued supporting professional sailing teams, sailing foundations, and charities with sponsor management. They are setting the next step towards a successful campaign and team effort in races like the Ocean Race.
Project management
Sailing Architect is involved in the project management of several foundations. One of these foundations is Sail4Earth, which aims to unite the sailing community to support the mission of Union of Nature, the overarching foundation that protects and preserves nature m2 by m2.
Sail4Earth was pre-launched on Saturday, July 13th, during the Colin Archer Memorial Race 2024 from Lauwersoog, the Netherlands, to Stavern, Norway. Sailing Architect became a sponsor partner of this biennial regatta for cruisers and racers with 49 entries this year from the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, and Norway. In the race, Sail4Earth was represented by a team that Willem Jan had the privilege to skipper, sailing the 60 ft. Colin Archer SY ‘Atmos of Amsterdam’.
In 2025, Sail4Earth will be officially launched at the maritime Tall Ships event Sail Amsterdam, and the Sail4Earth Rally to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, will start from there to raise awareness for protecting our planet m2 by m2.
Architecture
Circular Floating Districts is a Real Estate Developer with a unique vision for off-the-grid future floating projects. Willem Jan co-founded the companies Circular Floating Districts Ltd. and VLOAT Ltd. with his associate Michiel Zwart, a Naval Architect by profession.
The concepts of VLOAT® involve re-using former offshore barges and dry docks and constructing modular wooden homes. Due to worldwide climate change, rising sea levels, droughts, flooding, and the need for housing, they believe VLOAT® is the answer to future Circular Floating Districts.
