Post Office Pod: Working from Everywhere is the new modular system for outdoor workspaces designed by CRA – Carlo Ratti Associati that blurs the lines between nature, public infrastructure, and work life.
Created by a diverse team that includes sociologist Richard Florida, landscape architect Anna Maria Scaravella, climate comfort expert Marialena Nikolopoulou, urban innovator Rohan Silva, and engineering firm Recchi, this project premiered at the Biennale Architettura 2025.
Supported by Italy’s postal authority, the pods will be replicated across Italy after the exhibition, contributing to Poste Italiane’s Polis Project, which aims to reduce the urban-rural divide and transform post offices into hubs for innovation.
The Venice installation
The Venice installation is a garden transformed into a workplace. Nine modular pods, each featuring a green roof, are set up within the Giardini della Biennale. Visitors can use these pods for everything from traditional laptop work to videoconferencing, meeting, napping, and even 3D printing. In fact, three of the nine pods in Venice are equipped with 3D printers, which make advanced manufacturing more accessible and sustainable.
Thermal comfort was a key consideration in designing the pods: thermal mass and rooftop greenery help cool the space, while plants cascade down the sides, forming a green shield against the sun. Solar panels and a water collection system complete the setup, creating a sustainable environment.
