Compasso were invited to develop proposals for the City of Venice Arsenale district to address the social challenges of a shrinking local population, and a migratory workforce . They have proposed building on historical and existing strengths of the City by re-establishing a production environment around the basin that builds a complementary and symbiotic relationship with the already world- renowned relationships within the arts and design industries.
By attracting and supporting a broad definition of the creative industries that rely heavily on cutting- edge research and development activities with practical outputs. The aim is the development of a vibrant community of modern artisans actively involved in world leading research and production output all supported in a framework of industry and academic networks of hybrid activity. This production community will in turn become a new dynamic hub for the city , providing employment and new sustainable local housing which in turn will inject a diversity for the City and its local economy.
Inward investment and high skills training of the local workforce will be a key component of the success of the initiative and require the involvement of multiple local agencies responding to the demands of the various production companies.