House-builder future-proofs new homes with bespoke home office pods

The coronavirus crisis has made working from home – or wfh, as it’s now commonly known – the new normal.

This has sparked novel demands on what people are looking for when choosing a new residence.

Now one of the country’s leading house-builders has come up with a pioneering solution, allowing Scottish buyers the option to include a bespoke office space in the garden of their new pad.

Cala Homes (West) has partnered up with Scottish firm Urbanpods to offer a range of high-quality outbuildings which can be customised to suit individual preferences – whether it’s an office they need, a games room, a fitness studio or just a space to escape to and relax

Cala and Urbanpods are offering home-buyers the option of adding a bespoke home office or chill space in the garden of their new-build

Both companies have seen demand for the home-working space soar as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has seen millions of workers move away from offices – many of them on a permanent basis.

With a Siberian larch timber clad finish, each pod comes fully plastered and painted internally as standard and features hard-wearing Karndean flooring, a selection of double power sockets, interior lighting, a slimline panel heater, sliding entrance doors and a composite deck.

The standard Ufficio urbanpod starts from £12,200, but there are a range of extras available for anyone looking to ramp up the level of luxury within their pod.

Buyers can see for themselves exactly what is on offer with a visit to Cala’s show homes at the new Kinnaird Lee development in Larbert, where an Ufficio urbanpod has been installed.

A standard pod starts at £12,200 but there are a range of luxury extras avalable

The demonstration pod has been brought to life with furnishings from high-end Danish interiors brand BoConcept, with a ready-made home office package available for those who want to kit out their pod in time for moving in.

Liana Canavan, sales and marketing director at Cala Homes (West), said: “We’re seeing more and more demand from buyers for additional space as flexible home-working becomes the norm, so our partnership with Urbanpods allows us to go one step further in giving our customers exactly what they need.

“The quality of the pods is outstanding and aligns with our own high specification, so they really are the perfect match. And our buyers can benefit from additional space without having to compromise.”

Ross Iwaniec, director at Urbanpods, added: “It’s great to have the opportunity to work alongside a homebuilder with such an outstanding reputation for fantastic quality, high-specification homes – it’s an ethos that resonates with us.

Having a custom-built office in your garden takes the stress out of the commute

"We’ve seen enquiries for our pods dramatically increase over the past few months, so it makes complete sense to give those buying new-build houses the opportunity to have a pod installed right from the word go.

“They’re the ideal solution for anyone who needs additional workspace but wants to keep work life and home life separate.

“Not only are they great spaces for home offices, but they also make luxurious home salons for those working in hair and beauty; pilates, yoga and gym studios for fitness enthusiasts; or cosy media and gaming rooms. The possibilities are endless.”

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