A Calm and Practical Design Creates a Dual Workspace in a Seattle Backyard

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In the heart of a calm natural setting, the design offers a unique experience. It blends simplicity, functionality, and comfort in using the workspace. The Seattle garden office is an ideal solution for those working from home and seeking a major upgrade to their current offices. Previously, they had been working remotely from a cramped and dark 110-square-foot shed in the backyard. They planned to rebuild it themselves with the help of a retired family member. The project needed to stay inexpensive. The designers placed it on an existing shed platform in a corner of the property, nestled between a heritage tree and a privacy fence.

Space Design

The project features two acoustically and visually independent offices. Special attention was given to balanced natural light, creating a comfortable setting for daily work and video calls. The design reuses the old shed platform, positioning it between the heritage tree and the privacy fence. This approach preserves the property’s natural surroundings.

Each unit was designed with cantilevered extensions that provide a full desk surface and a separate sitting area. The walls were reframed to reach the height limit, while polycarbonate panels were used in the upper section to allow soft, diffused light and abstract views of the surrounding tree.

Two people clearing debris from an old shed foundation under a large tree.
Starting from scratch: clearing the old shed site before building the new dual-office WORK shed.
The old, small shed before the WORK_shed renovation, nestled under a big tree.
The cozy but cramped pre-renovation shed the starting point for a much needed upgrade.

Materials and Finishes

  • Upper walls: Transparent polycarbonate panels
  • Exterior cladding: Western red cedar shingles
  • Interior finishes: Birch plywood for floors and walls
Soft, filtered sunlight streams through the polycarbonate ceiling panels in the new office.
Natural light floods the space through the translucent roof, creating a calm and bright work environment.
A design rendering of the new WORK_shed, showing its modern look with black shingles and large windows.
The vision: a sleek, modern dual office shed designed to fit perfectly beside the heritage tree.

Features and Results

The design ensures both visual and acoustic privacy for each workspace while maintaining a continuous connection with the surrounding landscape and natural light throughout the day. It preserves the roots of the heritage tree and minimizes the need for artificial lighting during working hours. The result is a functional and flexible workspace created without major changes to the main house.

Floor plan showing two separate offices ("Her Work" and "His Work") with cantilevered desks.
The smart layout: two private workspaces side by side, sharing light but not sound.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

This article presents a home office project designed on a small backyard platform, showcasing a precise balance between functional comfort and architectural simplicity. The design employs natural materials like wood and glass, emphasizing harmony with the surrounding environment, while wide windows invite natural light to create a sense of openness within a compact area. Despite its simplicity, the project raises questions about the limits of low-cost architecture and the fusion of efficiency with aesthetic quality in small-scale spaces. Nevertheless, it demonstrates a deep understanding of the human–space relationship, offering a realistic vision for home offices that enhance both productivity and comfort.

A bright, wood-paneled office with a long desk, comfy chairs, and big windows overlooking trees.
A cozy, sun-drenched workspace designed for focus and comfort, right in the backyard.
A sleek, wood-lined office with a glass door opening to the green backyard.
Work meets nature: a calm, modern space that opens right up to the garden.
A modern black-shingled shed with glass doors, nestled under a big tree in a sunny backyard.
The finished WORK shed: sleek, private, and perfectly tucked into the garden for calm workdays.

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