The Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous, organized by M3 Monaco, connects industry leaders and architects to shape eco-friendly, efficient, and community-driven marinas. It integrates architects into the marina and yachting ecosystem, promoting best practices for sustainability and environmental preservation.
As part of this initiative, the Smart Marina Architecture Competition has, over two years, engaged 104 students and 22 architectural firms from 24 countries to design innovative waterfront spaces. Finalists will pitch their projects at the Monaco event on September 21-22, 2025, with winners honored at the award ceremony.
Defined by Le Corbusier as “the most prodigious urbanistic event that exists on this earth”, Venice stands as an exceptional testimony to human ingenuity, but today it faces several challenges. The city and its lagoon are particularly threatened by the risks of rising sea levels linked to climate change and its negative impact on building foundations, the phenomenon of the famous acqua alta, over-tourism and its consequences for local community. The preservation of this unique architectural jewel requires integrating infrastructures capable of absorbing new climatic constraints while cherishing Venetian identity.
“La Certosa”, one of the largest islands in the Venice Lagoon, offers a unique opportunity to merge the historical and natural significance of its landscape with innovative, sustainable design.
Located less than 200 meters from the Sestiere di S. Pietro di Castello and only 1 kilometers from Piazza San Marco, Certosa Island is both a serene natural retreat and an integral part of Venice’s vibrant city center. Its history, which includes the ruins of a Carthusian monastery and artifacts from the engineer corps, combined with its lush, forested environment, creates an extraordinary context for environmental development.
An innovative regeneration plan is ongoing on Certosa island aiming to transform the former abandoned military industry into an innovative urban environment to become part of the city of Venice characterized by the unique natural and cultural heritage and powered by services for both locals and tourists.
Last but not least, the huge natural park and its unique wide spaces have a relevant track record of performances, cultural events, art & architecture land-art installations in collaboration with the nearby Biennale Foundation, the world most dynamic international exposition of Art, Architecture, Dance, Music, Theater and Cinema.
The objective is to create a high-end and eco-conscious destination with nautical character, while enhancing the beautiful natural surroundings. Participants are required to design three infrastructures on Venezia Certosa Marina’s site, including at least two habitable buildings and a third free to their creativity, which will enhance the island’s appeal while taking environmental impact into account. Proposals should elevate Certosa Island as a premier hospitality marina with spaces designed to offer a seamless and enjoyable experience for visitors, boaters and residents. The use of innovative materials, architectural techniques, and energy-efficient technologies is encouraged, as is the ability to design a state-of-art architecture that exemplifies the perfect balance between functionality, aesthetics, and environmental conservation. The jury will also assess the technical feasibility and relevance of the proposals.
The island is particularly sensible to rising sea levels (threat foiled with the new mobile dam which protect Venice and the lagoon from high tide), coastal erosion, and the degradation of fragile marine ecosystems such as Posidonia meadows, which are essential for oxygen production and protecting against erosion. The increment of nautical traffic and excessive tourism of yachts and tourism poses additional risks, including water pollution, habitat disruption, and strain on local resources. Moreover, the restoration and redevelopment of the island require careful attention to preserving its biodiversity and minimizing the carbon footprint of construction and operations.
Through the competition, these challenges needs be tackled with designs that integrate ecological consciousness while designing infrastructure to host visitor amenities, including hotels, permanent accommodations, restaurants, shops, exposition spaces, workshops, sports facilities, activities, and more, leaving it to the participants to propose innovative ideas for the island’s development.
Designs must prioritize eco-conscious solutions that minimize environmental impact, incorporating renewable energy, responsible material sourcing, and water conservation techniques.
The architectural concept should respect the island’s rich history and landscape, blending harmoniously with its surroundings.
The marina must cater to luxury yachts, integrating state-of-the-art docking facilities, ecological anchoring solutions, yacht maintenance and visitor services tailored for yacht owners.
The selection process for the architecture will be conducted by a jury comprising architecture & engineering experts. Each proposal will be meticulously evaluated based on the following criteria:
Evaluating proposals based on their adherence to technical specifications and constraints outlined in the competition guidelines.
Assessing the extent to which proposals incorporate innovative solutions and leverage cutting-edge technologies to enhance the design concept.
Examining proposals for their integration of sustainable materials and construction techniques to lower the impact on the environment throughout the project’s lifecycle.
Reviewing proposals for their ability to seamlessly blend with the local culture and harmonize with the natural surroundings of floating marina location.
Analyzing proposals to ensure they effectively address the functional requirements, optimizing maintenance and practicality.
Judging proposals on their visual appeal and their ability to create a positive aesthetic impact, enhancing the overall ambiance of island’s environment.
A minimum of 3 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals must be integrated into each project and highlight the impact.
Registration Opens
Deadline for Candidates' Questions
Submission Deadline
Jury Evaluation of projects
Selection of the top 5 in each category by the jury
Exhibition and presentation of projects
Architecture Award Ceremony
Exibition of the winners’ projects in Venice
Panel 1: Introduction and site context
Panel 2: Masterplan
Panel 3: Proposed Infrastructure/Building Program 1
Panel 4: Proposed Infrastructure/Building Program 2
Panel 5: Proposed Infrastructure/Building Program 3
Panel 6: Sustainability and Technical Considerations
Panel 7: Exhibition panel – Site (Summary of design proposal only, not additional material)
Panel 8: Exhibition panel – Infrastructure/Building (Summary of Design proposal only, not additional material) Visual Summary of the three proposed infrastructures/buildings
Participants are invited to propose up to three infrastructures for Certosa Island, enhancing its vision as a high-end, eco-conscious tourism destination and world class yachting hub, while complementing the existing programs on site. At least two of the proposed infrastructure must be habitable buildings, while the third is at the participant’s discretion, allowing flexibility in determining the most suitable facilities or programme for the masterplan/site.
Proposed plans could include, for example, a boutique eco-upscale hotel with up to 50 keys, villas and/or eco-lodges seamlessly integrated into the island’s natural landscape, or other innovation hospitality, cultural or leisure concepts. The definition and design of each program are left to the creativity of the participants.
The jury will be seeking entries that introduce bold, forward thinking and sustainable concepts – proposals that not only align with the island’s ecological values but also elevate it status as a premier hospitality and marina destination.
Competition Registration:
Competition submission :
Onsite Participation
Competition Registration:
Competition submission :
Onsite Participation
