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 a2011 report根据远程工作研究网络(Telework Research Network)的研究，如果加拿大的员工每周在家工作两天，我们每年可以节省3.9亿升天然气和520万桶石油。

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

每个Archipod都配备了一个符合人体工程学的半圆形桌子，2英尺4英寸深，弯曲长度为10英尺2英寸，有一系列的颜色和饰面。定制抽屉单元，书架和座位也可根据要求。虽然透明的圆顶屋顶提供了充足的白天照明，这些可爱的小办公室也配备了6个可调光的射灯和隐藏的背景情绪照明。

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
The Archipod © Paul Walker Images
The archipod © Jonny Walton
The archipod © Jonny Walton
  • The archipod © Jonny Walton

Now you know more about ADUs and backyard offices,findmore pages about Tiny Housesandresilient green building techniqueshere :

Find more about green home constructionin the EcoHomeGreen Building Guideor to learn more aboutthe benefits of a free Ecohome Network Membership, see here.