Create Your Backyard Office
The office landscape has shifted since the beginning of the year. Corporate open-plan offices, once considered the ideal and most creative work scenario, are now hard to fathom.
The Blackmouth team considered options involving moving WFH outside your residence. There are several types available when it comes to a buying or building your own backyard office, from an Amazon keyword search of "prefab shed," to companies specializing in these kinds of outbuildings, to simple DIY plans. The key to making this a viable solution is removal of permits (building is less than 200 square feet) and keeping it affordable (between $5,000 and $10,000). With the above variables in mind – here are a few options you might consider:
Amazon.com Prefab Shed - Allwood Escape
Curbed.com 5 Backyard Options - Buyout Backyard Office
InHabitat.com Caravan Conversion - Vintage Trailer Conversion
Icreatables.com Do-It-Yourself Plans - DIY Plans
If you’re looking for a custom solution, Blackmouth Design is here for you. Over the years we’ve designed and fabricated a few different small space options, from vintage trailer retrofits, to the creation of a geodesic dome, to adaption of single use shipping containers, that would be perfect for a home office! We can help you plan, design, fabricate and install your dream backyard office. Reach out to us at www.blackmouthdesign.com.
1. Vintage Trailer Retrofit - The idea: purchase a vintage trailer (think 1960 - 1970's Airstream Overlander or Aristocrat Land Commander), gut and retrofit to include office amenities. Bonus, it doubles as your weekend camping abode. This option may run on the more expensive side, as vintage trailers are sought after and hold their value. Call for pricing. Learn more here
2. Geodesic Dome Kit - The idea: designed and built from 1/2” ACX Douglas Fir plywood and structurally reinforced with solid HemFir construction grade lumber. We've designed the dome to be a minimum height of 8' to 12' tall. Call for pricing. Learn more here
3. Shipping Container Adaptation - The idea: secure a 10 x 10, single use, shipping container, retrofit interior and roof line, cut opening for window and build simple deck surround. Call for pricing.
WRAP UP
Working from home is our new normal, at least for the immediate future, and for those of you still loving it – keep on keeping on! For those of you struggling, we are hopeful this newsletter has given you something to think about and consider. In either case, let’s start the conversation about what’s working for some and what’s not. Let’s lean in on this community to make our new normal a little more palatable.
Cheers!
The Blackmouth Design Team