As remote and hybrid work become the new normal, home office design has been rapidly evolving. Innovative solutions are emerging to elegantly delineate living spaces from dedicated work areas, striking a balance between functionality and comfort.

Mattias Brietholz, a designer based in Croydon, London, moved into his home in November 2022. Without the commute and separate workspace to break up the day, remote work has made the lines between professional and personal life increasingly blurred. Reflecting on this, he shares, "My partner and I both found the line between office work and home life increasingly blurred. Having a distinct space set apart from our house for focused project work has long been a dream of ours." To realise their vision, the couple aimed to create a garden room that would serve as a cosy and tranquil home office. After considering various alternatives, they came across Okopod.

Founded in 2019, Okopod specialises in designing, manufacturing, and installing timber-framed garden rooms, extensions, garages, and new builds across the UK. Sustainability is a core tenet of Okopod's work, as they offer a range of eco-friendly timber products to complete their bespoke units, ensuring both durability and environmental responsibility.
For the exterior of his Okopod unit, the designer opted for Kebony cladding, drawn to its environmental benefits and longevity. "Before this project, I knew little about Kebony. But after researching it more, I found it to be not only a stunning material, but also sustainable and built to last. And as the wood hails from Scandinavia, that regional connection resonated with me."

Originating from Norway, Kebony is a leading producer of dually modified wood, transforming sustainable softwoods into materials that can rival or even outshine tropical hardwoods. Their bio-based dual modification process alters the wood's cell walls, locking in polymers that enhance stability, resistance, and hardness—resulting in a long-lasting product with excellent safety standards. With a minimal environmental footprint and a beautiful rich brown look, the Kebony facade needs no maintenance, making it the perfect long-term choice for the Okopod.

As we navigate the post-pandemic landscape, incorporating nature into the work setting, whether through interior design or establishing an entire outdoor office like Mattias, has the potential to improve work-life balance, boost productivity and creativity, and support overall employee wellbeing.