This is a guest post from Alex Johnson. Alex publishes a wonderful blog called Shedworking, which I have quoted and linked to quite often here at Home Office Warrior. If you are not reading Alex’s blog, you need to be. You can subscirbe to his blog by visiting this link.
By Alex Johnson:
Some homeworkers work in the spare room. Some work in the garden office. And a lucky few work on water. There’s absolutely no reason why you can’t work from a boat (ask the many people on cruises who are increasingly making use of onboard internet connections). Look at Archie Workman who runs his Gamechanger consultancy from his canalboat in the UK.
“We have a battery bank of four 12 volt batteries which through an inverter can drive the fridge, television, laptop, mobile phone charger, etc.,” he says. “A small galley at the front can handle the catering for most occasions and a we have a fully fitted bathroom with shower and loo and a fixed double bed in the back if work gets on top and we have to have a lie down. The pace of life on the canals is such that to have your office on water to me is just pure heaven and the scenery can change from day to day. I intend to use it as a floating meeting room where my clients can discuss their projects in confidence but in a relaxing environment.”
Archie is not a one-off. The H2Office is a floating office from Wales-based industrial design and marketing company WaterSpace Developments. It’s still on the drawing board (see images) but initial design features include:
- a compact design giving enough space for one or two people to work in
- a “private” working area
- a “breakout” area for small meetings
- an external sun deck
- kitchenette
- foldaway bunks (for occasional overnight stays)
- storage space
- bathing platform
“The floating unit’s main function is as a “work space”,” says WaterSpace owner Andrew Masters, “but we are also going to incorporate some features to allow recreational activities and the option to use it as an overnight lodging. If you’re lucky enough to have flexible working arrangements a floating office could considerably enhance your working life.” Andrew is also looking to develop “mini floating business parks” in suitable marinas or other water areas.
Of course you can go the whole hog and actually buy a houseboat as a live/work property. Here’s one of my favourites, the Schwimmhausboat . It measures 14m by 4m high and 3m wide, with sitting room, bathroom, ‘loft, and kitchen. It’s also extremely green (recycled wood, green roof, zero emissions).
