VENd explores the tension between cities and informal architectural acts like markets and pop-up venues. Markets provide spaces for community interaction along with economic opportunity. In 2025, these markets are enmeshed with global discussions surrounding migration and tourism. These discussions have spilled over into local communities, creating strain between vendors, city governments and market patrons. In some cases, this conflict has led to harassment and discrimination of vendors and leads to a necessity to operate in illegal markets. Between regulations, permitting, space and safety, many of these obstacles can be overcome by architectural solutions.

VENd is a safe vending space and a larger vision for public markets. Through materiality and form, the installation will explore equity, resources, cultural expression, permanence, and flexibility. Driven by the efficient reuse of building materials and digital fabrication, VENd units are tailored for the specific needs of the location, program, and user.

The installation was completed through a partnership with Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University. Students provided research into market place design for immigrant communities and assistance with prototyping and fabrication. This research, coupled with Shiftspace’s experience designing architecture for informal programming, provided the inspiration for VENd. The Time Space Existence exhibition in Venice is an ideal location and event to unveil this research due to the city’s large number of tourists, emphasis on culture, and historic background. VENd establishes a dialog with the public by introducing new solutions that bring both safe activation and economic opportunity to cities.

VENd is on display in the public Giardini della Marinaressa as part of the ECC Time Space Existence exhibition from May 10 through November 23, 2025.