How is architecture responding to changing patterns of living and working?
In the past decade the connection between both our lives at home and at work are changing, new advances in technology mean employees are no longer required to be present at the office but simply connected to it. Studies undertaken by the employment advice service Acas show that more and more employees are working from home and that this is an increasingly popular trend with SME business owner and new entrepeneurs (find out more). The outdated live/work scenario where an average employee will spend 8 hours of the day between the office and home leaving one space unoccupied no longer aligns with society's changing values for employee wellbeing or the environment, so how is architecture responding to these cultural changes in the way we live and work?
The Acas report highlights some of the drawbacks in home working especially in achieving enough separation to be effective when working and engaged when with friends or family. The report notes that a staggering 78% of homeworking people have a personal space that is "designated for that purpose". The truth of this is seen in the explosion in the market for garden offices across the country. However, typical solutions to this problem are either expensive bespoke premium objects or "phoned in" modular designs where personalised functionality or aesthetics are sacrificed to ensure low prices.
At architecture:unknown we have been developing a strategy to revitalise the fundamental concepts underpinning Garden Pods. The key is our pioneering application of the WikiHouse Construction System which is in use across the world. Most usual garden office structures will rely on builder contractors to provide the construction expertise with all their attendant overheads, costs and profit attached. The beauty of the WikiHouse system is in its simplicity. Through it we can help you become your own maker and deliver a cost saving compared to the traditional route, all without sacrificing on a bespoke design solution to meet your exact needs. By profession we are architectural designers and using the versatile WikiHouse system enables us to design unique solutions to your requirements putting you at the heart of the build. We never compromise on design and don't believe you should have to either.
Our garden pods are always bespoke, self-built, eco-friendly spaces for live, work and play designed with affordability in mind. We provide spaces of all sizes and shapes to suit you from spacious studios to intimate meeting locations that encourage the underlying creative thinking that helps businesses thrive. We believe that if people are happy and comfortable within a space designed and built by them that they will be more productive and enjoy their working time, allowing them to shape a unique work+life balance and a more rounded, happy lifestyle.
What would be your ideal pod design? Follow architecture:unknown on Linkedin, Twitter and feel free to drop us an email via our website. We look forward to hearing from you.
http://www.architectureunknown.co.uk/makersunknown.html
