Framery Unveils The Next Step In Smart Pods—And Office Design

Named after the Latin word for step, Framery unveiled Gradus during this year’s NeoCon, introducing an adaptive line of smart pods designed to seamlessly compliment—and elevate—its surroundings. The brand, which disrupted the market 16 years ago with the original office pod, is adept at creating innovative solutions that redefine the way we work.

Expanding Framery’s presence in the U.S. and Canada with localized assembly, Gradus stands apart by taking a restrained architectural approach. “Gradus reads the room: designed to blend into the architecture or stand out as the focal point,” says Joonas Vartola, CDO of Framery, noting its integrated design and minimalist silhouette.

From warm wood veneers to tactile fabrics and acoustic panels, Gradus offers designers endless possibilities for customization with its modular snap-on system for exterior wall panels, making a change in aesthetic direction an easy pivot.

Each Gradus pod also prioritizes comfort and ergonomic elements within a minimal footprint, creating a spacious workspace whether focusing alone in Gradus Work—a smart, soundproof workstation for one with a full-size adjustable desk—or brainstorming with a team in Gradus Huddle, which accommodates up to four people for creative discussions. “It’s a lot bigger than what we’re used to seeing,” says Interior Design Editor-in-Chief Cindy Allen of Gradus Work during a walkthrough of Framery’s showroom at The Mart. The collection also features Gradus Focus, a smart, soundproof phone booth.

Gradus Offers An Intuitive Approach To Work

Similar to Framery’s signature line, Gradus’s smart technology enables the pod to instantly sense when someone steps inside, responding with a soft glow that mimics natural light. The pods also have the capability to create and release walk-in reservations automatically and adjust airflow based on occupancy, humidity, and temperature. Importantly, the second someone steps inside, office sounds and distractions fade away. “We wanted to eliminate friction before the user even notices it,” says Henrik Ashorn, Product Director. “By automating the small details, we’re making the office responsive to the people inside it.”

Beyond serving as private workspaces, Gradus pods function as workplace intelligence tools. Using anonymized occupancy data, the units integrate with Framery’s smart office platform to help organizations better understand how space is being used. The data can inform workplace planning decisions by identifying gaps in meeting capacity and reducing reliance on oversized conference rooms that often sit empty, ensuring employees have access to the space they need.

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“Ultimately, Gradus knows its place,” says Vartola. “Just as its physical form defers to the architectural intent of the room, its technology aligns with the intent of the user. Both are engineered to elevate the workplace experience without demanding center stage.”

Assembled in Michigan, Gradus also ensures shorter lead times and reliability for U.S. and Canadian projects at a lower cost per square foot than fixed construction. “Gradus gives architects the freedom to design for privacy without locking their clients into a rigid layout or a heavy footprint,” says Ashorn. “It’s a high-performance asset that stays with the client, not the building.” And one that’s built to last, tested to withstand years heavy use, which, ultimately, cuts down on landfill waste.

The line also is third-party verified by publicly available Environmental Product Declarations. “Designers require more than just good marketing; they ask for radical transparency,” says Vartola. “We’ve made sure Gradus EPDs are ready upon launch; sustainability claims are meaningless without them.”