INVITATION
The Fondazione di Venezia adopted the formula of a competition by invitation to select the professional who will design M9. This competition was launched after extensive research and analysis in collaboration with IUAV in Venice and Favero&Milan Ingegneria, and in a running dialogue with public administrations and supervisory bodies. The competition winner will also be asked to produce the final and working design. The Fondazione di Venezia enclosed a draft contract for the subsequent design phases with the invitation to enter the competition and the participants signed this in acceptance in a mutual commitment to build a lasting working relationship based on trust and to guarantee the successful outcome of the project.

PARTICIPANTS
The Fondazione di Venezia chose professionals with considerable experience in museum design and the refurbishment of historic buildings.
The initial research and subsequent selection pinpointed six European practices of international standing: Agence Pierre-Louis Faloci, Carmassi Studio di Architettura, David Chipperfield Architects, Mansilla+Tuñón Arquitectos, Sauerbruch Hutton and Souto Moura Arquitectos.

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
M9 will contain three different functions: a new specially designed building housing the cultural functions and public services; the former Caserma Matter, duly refurbished, will provide the retail space and the services will be in a third building, already existing and excluded from the competition.
The new design must blend with the surrounding context, creating continuity between the existing and new architectural constructions, feature carefully chosen and applied materials, focus on eco-sustainable and energy-saving solutions and provide spaces for both permanent/temporary exhibitions and retail that are flexible but not unclear or poorly defined.