Located within the historic Arsenale Vecchio in Venice, the Bucentaur House represents one of the most significant remnants of the traditional squero (boatyard) typology. Originally constructed to shelter the Bucintoro — the ceremonial barge of the Venetian Republic — the building embodies a layered narrative of craftsmanship, ritual, and maritime heritage.

The project proposes the adaptive reuse of the abandoned structure as a FabLab, collaborative workspace, and exhibition venue for young artists participating in the Venice Biennale. Positioned within the Arsenale’s cultural network, the intervention reactivates the building as a productive and public space, bridging heritage and contemporary creative practice.

A contemporary extension in Corten steel mirrors the existing volume while clearly distinguishing itself as a modern insertion. The addition houses fabrication facilities, while the historic interior accommodates modular artist pods that function as both workstations and exhibition units. Through this dialogue between preservation and intervention, the project establishes a balanced relationship between memory, material authenticity, and new cultural production.