Palazzo Mondadori: Mondadori Office Playground by Carlo Ratti Associati

The Mondadori Office Playground redefines the contemporary workplace within one of Italy’s most iconic modernist landmarks. Designed by Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA) in collaboration with Italo Rota and Maestro Technologies, the 2024 renovation transforms the headquarters of the Mondadori Group inside Palazzo Mondadori into a dynamic, reconfigurable “playground workspace.”

Located in Segrate near Milan, the building, designed between 1968 and 1975 by Oscar Niemeyer, is celebrated for its suspended glass volume supported by monumental parabolic arches, rising above an artificial lake designed by landscape architect Pietro Porcinai. The intervention carefully respects Niemeyer’s architectural poetry while introducing adaptive strategies for the future of work.

Reimagining Modern Office Furniture

A central innovation of the project lies in its radical reinterpretation of modern modular furniture. CRA refurbished more than 1,300 units of original post-war systems by USM. Rather than replacing them, the design team dismantled and reassembled the pieces, integrating wood finishes and introducing new modules that accommodate plants and flexible storage.

This circular design strategy not only preserves heritage furniture but also enhances sustainability by extending the lifecycle of existing materials. The result is a fully reconfigurable office landscape that encourages collaboration, creativity, and spontaneous encounters.

Carlo Ratti emphasizes that in a post-pandemic era shaped by remote work, offices must evolve beyond rigid cubicles, an idea famously critiqued in Playtime by Jacques Tati. The new Mondadori workspace instead promotes openness, adaptability, and interaction.

Architecture that Encourages Interaction

Spanning over 20,000 square meters across five floors, the renovation introduces:

Natural light, maximized layouts that reinforce the building’s transparency Informal desk clusters that stimulate cross-department collaboration Transparent meeting rooms that enhance spatial continuity Integrated greenery that connects interior and surrounding landscape

The suspended glass structure and surrounding parkland become active participants in the daily experience of work. By weaving nature into the furniture itself, CRA creates a seamless dialogue between architecture, landscape, and productivity.

Future of Workplace Design in a Historic Landmark

The Mondadori Office Playground represents the first phase of a broader transformation of Niemeyer’s European masterpiece. Owned by Generali Real Estate, the building continues to evolve while preserving its modernist legacy.

This project aligns with CRA’s ongoing research into adaptive, human-centered workspaces, seen in international projects like CapitaSpring in Singapore and the innovation-driven master plan of Brasília. By merging heritage preservation, modular systems, sustainability, and flexible design, the Mondadori Office Playground sets a new benchmark for future-ready office architecture.

Key Architectural Themes

Workplace innovation Adaptive reuse in modernist landmarks Circular furniture design Biophilic office environments Flexible and reconfigurable interiors Sustainable renovation strategies Collaborative workspace design

All photographs are works of  DSL Studio: Delfino Sisto Legnani, Melania Delle Grave