The redevelopment of the northern part of the historic Venice Arsenal (covering an area of 20 hectares) required respect for the value of this extraordinarily important architectural complex as a historic monument, while ensuring high levels of efficiency and flexibility for the strategic activities that the area will host. This paper discusses re-use of buildings dating from the sixteenth to nineteenth century, including the restoration of the original edifices and the installation of new interior infrastructure for offices, laboratories and control rooms; particular attention is given to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, technical solutions for the central plant that serves the entire area, which makes use of energy from renewable sources such as lagoon water, will be presented.