Have a backyard home office delivered by truck

I'm sure we can all agree that as the cost and inconvenience of commuting to work continues to escalate, the advances in networking technology are making the possibility of working from home a viable alternative to schlepping ourselves to the office.

When we consider eliminating the daily commute, the benefits are clear. We can simultaneously decrease road congestion, save money and fuel otherwise spent travelling to work all while reducing super scary climate destabilizing greenhouse gas emissions.

According to a 2011 report by the Telework Research Network, if compatible workers in Canada spent just two days working from home every week, we could save 390 million litres of gas and 5.2 million barrels of oil annually. 

The environmental and economic benefits of telecommuting may be obvious, but what about productivity? Several studies, including the study cited above, have shown that working from home may actually boost productivity and morale while lowering absenteeism.

And yet working from home also has its challenges. How does one manage to separate 'work' time from 'family/home' time? In the midst of our personal lives, how do we focus on the work at hand without being distracted?

Creating an office space separate from the home not only capitalizes on the benefits of telecommuting, but neutralizes the challenges. Enter: the garden pod.

Aiming to create a garden office building that was efficient, ergonomic, unusual, while complimenting a garden landscape, it's safe to say that the Archipod team met their goal and then some.

With its circular design, 3' 4" polycarbonate dome roof and gull winged door, it's clear that these pods go beyond functional into the realm of artistic design. 

Functionality

Each Archipod is fitted with an ergonomically semicircular desk that is 2' 4" deep with a curved length of 10' 2" and is available in a range of colours and finishes. Custom drawer units, shelves and seating are also available upon request. Though the clear domed roof provides ample daytime lighting, these sweet little office pods are also equipped with six dimmable spotlights and concealed background mood lighting.

Offered in two standard sizes, all pods are tailored to the individual specifications of the client. Though the pods were originally designed for use as a garden office, they can easily be adapted to anything you choose. Studio, playroom, meditative space or tree house - the possibilities are almost endless. it's even feasible for multiple pods to be connected to create a more dynamic space.

Key environmental design philosophies:

• The Archipod is largely made from either FSC registered wood or manufacturing surplus and waste.
• The design size has been optimized to minimize wastage in production.
• As an independent structure, the office only need be heated when in use.
• Heat loss is minimized by  high standards of insulation and air tightness.
• Standard heating is by way of an electric radiator, which is a highly efficient way to heat a small, independent and highly insulated space. 'Pods' can be fitted with small wood stoves as well.
• The fibreglass insulation used is made from recycled glass.
• The roof-light provides a high level of illumination during daylight hours resulting in little need for additional lighting.

Archipod

The Archipod © Paul Walker Images

The archipod © Jonny Walton

• The archipod © Jonny Walton