OFFICE IN THE BACKYARD
Pre-form sheds give workers space
The pandemic caused an outbreak of harried stay-at-home office workers desperate for privacy and a clean dining room table.
Separating work from home was the catalyst for James Robinson, a residential construction contractor and his interior designer partner, Tommi Watts, to invent prefabricated offices that can be set up in the backyard.
“There are companies that already build these, but we wanted to approach it from a different perspective, in which the building could be delivered fully finished, installed and used the very same day, minimizing the hassle of traditional construction,” says Robinson.
In 2020, they began designing a 106-square-foot structure for use as auxiliary space.
Like garden sheds and playhouses, a municipal permit isn't required because the structure squeaks in under the 107-squarefoot threshold for residential accessory buildings.
After engineering the prefabricated structure, making it as energy-efficient, durable and deliverable as possible, Robinson and Watts launched their new company, called pre-form, in early 2021.
The sheds have dual-pane windows, spray foam insulation on all four sides, infrared heating panel and smart thermostat and are clad with weather-resistant, sustainably sourced Abodo siding. The structure is good to -30 C.
The complete structure, including a small deck, is lifted off the delivery truck into the backyard by crane and is plugged into the house.
The cost is $37,800 plus delivery charges and comes with a standard one-year warranty.
Robinson says the next step is building prefabricated greenhouses, saunas and one-bedroom suites as space for guests. Secondary suites require hot, running water and plumbing and aren't in preform's plans quite yet, but expanding into the tiny house movement might be a fit.
“Small living is commendable. It's something we'd like to champion. It's definitely something to consider,” he says.