STUDIO
3XN GXN
Sydney Fish Market, Sydney, Australia. 2025
Studio Details
Location
Venice, Italy
Date
29 June-10 July, 2026
Team Leaders
Fred Holt (Partner, 3XN)
Lasse Lind (Partner, GXN)
Program
A Plaza, Pavilion, or Bridge Over the Venetian Lagoon or Along its Edges
Field Trips and Site Visits
Local mussel farms
Sensorial mapping at key Venice anchor points
Local component manufacturers
Project
Generate Connections
Our challenge is to reimagine civic space in Venice as a living system that connects people, ecology, and infrastructure. We will propose a temporary architecture that is adaptive, productive, and reversible, and that will be used during the Venice Biennale where civic space is inundated with visitors.
We will explore the design of a plaza, pavilion, or bridge over the Venetian lagoon or along its edges, where extreme tidal variation, ecological fragility, and cultural memory intersect. Rather than resisting water, we will design with it; treating fluctuating tides as a generator of form, programme, spatial choreography and environmental performance. Tides become connective systems that link natural cycles with civic life.
Our design proposal will draw from 3XN GXN’s work with circular principles and the creation of civic space (exemplified by our new Sydney fish market), to introduce local and regenerative materials such as shingles from local mussels, mass timber and upcycled stone products, as well as utilize architecture to produce clean energy and cleanse water.
From the outset our proposal will be conceived as a design-for-disassembly system, with modular components, reversible connections, and circular material lifecycles.
3XN Architects
3XN’s philosophy is based on the belief that buildings are more than the sum of their parts and to constantly seek to achieve a synthesis of design, function, and context. Our buildings are uniquely matched to each project but always seek to combine beauty and meaning by putting people at the center of design. Designing buildings that are light and connected, ensures clarity and well-being for their users.
Challenges offer architects an opportunity to innovate. We consider each project’s specific constraints as creative opportunities to come up with fresh ideas. The integration between research and practice across 3XN architects and GXN innovation has taught us that complex challenges often benefit from holistic yet simple solutions.
Collaboration and openness is key to our work. We value ideas, not titles, and know that we get the best ideas when people with diverse professional and personal backgrounds work together in an open-minded studio setting.
GXN innovation
GXN is the independent research sister company to 3XN, and works globally across academia and praxis.
At GXN, we lead teams in impactful strategic innovation and design-led research for the built environment. We recognise that trust, openness, and teamwork are prerequisite conditions for people to try new ideas, fail safely, and learn. As a multi-disciplinary team, we demystify, we accelerate, we deep dive, and we standardise.
GXN’s work bridges two broad themes: behavioural and circular design. While we provide design and advice for these two sectors individually, the intersection of these themes offers the greatest opportunity to effect positive change and move towards a healthier, sustainable future for people and the planet.
Internships and Opportunities
Young designers and students accepted to join 3XN GXN at Venice Studio may be considered for available internship or job opportunities at 3XN GXN. Selection of candidates is at the sole discretion of the team leaders and 3XN GXN. Places are not guaranteed.