Work from Anywhere
The Future of Work Is on the Move
Working from anywhere is no longer a dream—from camper vans to yachts, floating offices to micro-offices nestled in nature. The future of flexible work is already here. So why isn’t Italy investing more in this direction?
I recently read an interesting article in the Financial Times that dives into a topic close to our hearts: working from anywhere. It's a concept that goes well beyond the classic remote working from home, and today we want to revisit it—with an Italian twist.
We hear a lot about smart working, but why stop at your living room when you could turn a trailer, a boat, or even a yacht into a fully functional office? Sounds crazy? Maybe. But the founder of Smart Working Magazine has already done it: together with his trusty companion Paride, he traveled across Italy in a camper van, working from small villages and searching for the perfect remote spot to live and work.
Offices on the Move: From Camper Vans to Open Waters
One fascinating example comes from the United States, where IT consultant Erin Jacobs works from an Airstream, a luxury caravan converted into a mobile office. Thanks to technologies like Starlink, which provides stable satellite internet anywhere, she’s managed to travel thousands of miles without sacrificing productivity.
But you don’t need to go that far to find innovative solutions. In Europe, floating offices are becoming a reality. Take Mark Howorth, a London-based designer who turned a barge docked at Canary Wharf Marina into his floating headquarters. His team works with the rhythm of the waves, and for important meetings, the boat sails down the Thames.
For those who can afford it, the next level is the onboard office: more and more entrepreneurs are converting their yachts into hyper-connected workspaces that offer all the comforts of a modern office—plus an ocean view.
Architecture Supporting Agile Work
If you’re looking for a stable but separate solution from your home, architect Tom Kundig proposes "accessory buildings": small, independent offices built adjacent to your residence. It's the perfect solution for those who want a clear boundary between work and personal life—without being stuck indoors all day.
This trend could take off in Italy too. Imagine having a small wooden office tucked into an olive grove in Tuscany, or a cozy mountain hut set aside just for work. It’s not science fiction—it’s a potential evolution of how we approach work.
The Future Is Here—Are We Ready to Embrace It?
These new ways of working are redefining what we mean by “the office.” It’s no longer a fixed place that defines our job, but the tools that allow us to work wherever we feel most productive and inspired.
What if Italy started investing more seriously in this direction? What if more professionals followed the lead of Smart Working Magazine’s founder, working from small towns, campers, beaches, or boats?
The technology is already here. It’s up to us to seize the opportunity.