As it looks like remote work is here to stay for many companies around the world, it’s likely that employees will seek to diversify the places they work from in order to prevent fatigue and blurring the work-life balance. Working in a vertical park may sound like an enticing solution, how about a futuristic-looking floating pod?

That’s the idea behind Enclaves on Vistula River, a project developed by architectural designer Agnieszka Białek. The plan is to help employees who are experiencing work-from-home fatigue switch their home office with a more stimulating work environment — one that floats on a river.

The idea came to Białek during the pandemic when lockdowns pushed a large number of people to create isolated workplaces within their own homes. During a walk along the Vistula River in Kraków, Poland, Białek envisioned floating co-working spaces that could exist with no footprint on the land.

The artist’s innovative design places the pods far enough from the shore that a kayak is required to access the office. The Wawel Castle paints the backdrop with a symbolic structure in the historic city. The enclaves contrast dramatically in design with soft, curved edges and a futuristic, spaceship-like look.

Inspired by lily pads, the floating pods are anchored to the riverbed. They are also attached to one another in a variety of modular design options. According to Białek, the structures could be 3D-printed within just a few days using waterproof and recycled materials. Inside the enclaves, built-in furnishings create versatile spaces that can accommodate a variety of work styles.

The location and schedule would allow people to work both during the day and at night. The ultimate plan is for the spaces to be rented by the hour as an opportunity to partake in private virtual meetings or simply escape the challenges of working from home.

Image source: Agnieszka Białek