If you have a little spare space in your backyard, and a hankering for an out-of-the ordinary space in which to work at home, here’s a definite candidate – The Pod, manufactured by the Yorkshire-based company Archipod.
Unsatisfied with the shed-like structures he saw on sale at the time, UK architecture student Chris Sneesby came up with the Archipod concept five years ago.
Constructed of Western Red Cedar shingles and fibreglass, The Pod is 2.9 metres diameter internally at its widest point, and measures 2.5 metres from the floor to top of dome. A desk wraps around half the internal space, which is provided with good light via the roof dome and double glazed stainless steel porthole window. The outside might look a little medieval, but inside is pure minimal futurism.
Two views of The Pod’s interior
Entry is via a gas-assisted gullwing door. The Pod’s thermal insulation ensure not only good temperature control. it also assists to make the space a quiet one in which to work. Or play, it doesn’t after all have to be an office, it could also be a playroom, hobby room, studio or tree house. Or you could get a videocamera in there and shoot your very own version of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Outside, you could use The Pod as a backdrop for your Catweazle re-boot.
The Pod is equipped with 3 power points, dimmable spotlights, concealed background mood lighting, smoke alarm, electric heater, data outlet and provision or connection of a security alarm. All you need do is arrange connection of these to your home’s mains power and telephone connection.
The Pod design and fittings can vary from customer to customer, but as a guide the pricing is around £15,000, excluding VAT and delivery.
In development is a bigger version, the Fat Pod, measuring up to 4 metres wide and available in a variety of external cladding, such as painted render, reclaimed copper, stainless steel, and recycled car tyres. It will also house bespoke drawer units and file storage, and have alternative shapes and designs.