A Mobile Post Office for the Jubilee Year

AMDL Circle and Michele De Lucchi envisioned the Vatican Mobile Post Office, created for the 2025 Jubilee, as a polygonal pavilion that would gracefully integrate into one of the world’s most iconic public spaces, namely St. Peter’s Square, Rome.

Standing alongside Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s majestic 17th-century colonnade, this small, light structure was designed to be temporary, with its own aesthetic and technical character, but also deeply respectful of its setting in a location of inestimable historical, artistic, and architectural significance that’s recognized as a universal symbol of Christianity.

The project reflects AMDL Circle’s exploration of temporary architecture – architecture that harmonizes with the existing context while responding to the demands of an ever-evolving society. Unveiled in December, just a few days before Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of the cathedral, the mobile post office was commissioned by Poste Italiane, which donated it to Poste Vaticane.

Quality traditional materials in dialogue with marble columns

Sited within the Charlemagne Wing of the colonnade, the structure dialogues with the historic marble architecture through its high-quality traditional materials, including timber, bronze, and glass. Constructed using a prefabricated system that allows it to be both assembled – and disassembled – in just 48 hours, the structure houses both a philatelic service and post office, thus serving the dual function of exhibition space and service hub.

Completely free of architectural barriers, the structure is fully accessible. The building itself is a 16-sided polygon. Structural elements are timber finished with metal, while the perimeter walls are fully glazed to ensure a visual connection between the pavilion’s interior and the surrounding square. Crowning the design, a kind of floating disc made of bronze-colored metal sheeting provides shelter around the perimeter. The entrance is finished in the same material.

Fully accessible exhibition and service spaces

Inside the pavilion, the philatelic display and post office coexist, serving the dual functions of exhibition and service spaces. The layout is defined by movable walls made of vertical timber slats, which make it possible to easily reconfigure the spaces, marking off the different areas without fully separating them.

The display cases used for the philatelic collectibles follow a circular path. They lead to three counters – two for philatelic sales and one for postal services – followed by custom-designed consultation tables. At the center of the space is a comfortable waiting area.

An artistic and religious experience

The transparent envelope of the structure maximizes natural light inside, while overhead lighting ensures uniform illumination throughout. Set against a neutral background, the timber furnishings are part of a custom system of fixtures and fittings designed by AMDL Circle to visually communicate the Poste Italiane brand.

With the interior offering sweeping views of the forecourt, basilica, and colonnade, the Vatican Mobile Post Office also functions as an observation point, offering visitors a chance to appreciate the site’s grandeur and spirituality as part of an artistic and religious experience.

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