Chuck Newton

How About A $1,800 Law Office? (VIDEO)

You know me. I think the amount of space that lawyers need to do their work is exaggerated. It is more ego than necessity, and it leads to a cluttered and complicated life. But, a quiet dedicated work space is good. If you do not have room in your home, then try building a space in back or close to your home. It might be a little industrial shabby chic, but throw in some windows and some planting and you are good to go.

In Berkeley, California Karl Wanaselja, along with his business partner and wife Cate Leger, created their home-office using an old refrigerated shipping container that cost just $1,800. They cut their 40' long refrigerated unit in half and placed it in a T shape in their backyard. Because it was a refrigerated container, they did not need to add any insulation. Using a reciprocating saw, the couple cut huge windows into the aluminum/stainless steel structure.

You can see for yourself.

Live + Work + Home = Politically Incorrect?

I get some flak about my politics and the practice of living and working from my home. Fair enough. These comments come from ardent conservatives who believed, I guess, in the concept of a home office, but seemed to be disturbed with an emphasis in my blog linking the act of working from home with the green movement.

My overall argument over the years, working from The Worldwide Home Office, has been both capitalistic and green. In short, it has been about both green as in money and green as in the environment.

Here is the truth of the matter. Americans are simply wasteful in ways that do not benefit either themselves or the community as a whole. The argument I encounter often is that we have a right to be as wasteful as we want. Where that might be true, I also have a right to be as critical about it as I want. The readers of this blog are free to buy Hummers and waste natural resources, commute hours to work, and duplicate space or build a footprint on this planet as big as his or her ego will allow. I am free to explain that there is, in my humble opinion, a better way that serves each of us better, both individually and the community as a whole. Readers are entitled to their opinions, and I am entitled to mine.  Being allowed to express a difference of opinion is really the true meaning of freedom in my book.

But ultimately, the problem arises when some people see my advocacy as impinging on their free speech. These people believe it better that I not speak as it conflicts with their opinion of the World. I think I have a right to express myself and they are free to read it or not, believe it or not, or adhere to it or not.

Now, whether or not my motive for practicing law from home conflicts with someone's view of what is politically correct, my point is pretty simple. Our bedrooms are empty two-thirds of the time. Our living rooms are empty seven-eights of the time. Our office buildings are empty one-half of the time. All of this space is both the largest waste of our personal money and resources, and it is the largest single consumer of energy.  Space consumes more energy and results in more pollution than cars, or anything else. Getting to and from our spaces is probably responsbile for a good bit of the oil and gas we use. The more we reduce our footprint, the more money we get to keep to spend as we personally see fit. As an added bonus, with a smaller footprint we are less dependent on foreign sources of energy. There is less polution. We have better air quality. We are less stressed.  We have more time. To me, all of this amounts to more freedom.

It is true that I have often viewed this policy of mcmansions in the suburbs, macdaddy offices in the city, and a gas guzzler to get between the two as destructive both economically and environmentally. I believe that reducing our footprint we can benefit us both economically and environmentally, personally and for the greater good.

I think it is okay to be as conservative as you want and still work out of your home. Do it for the personal savings and the extra time it affords you and your family. You do not want to do it for the environment? You want to use the savings to buy a bigger house and a bigger vehicle? That is up to you.

Is There A Solar-Powered Shed In Your Future?

In order to have a home office, you need a home-based office space.  Some people have that inside their home.  Some do not.  The point is that it easy and relatively inexpensive to add if you need a degree of separation between work and home.

One example is StudioShed.  Third Wave has blogged about it before.  But, here is an example by Gail Seigel.  She is not a lawyer, but a full-time jeweler.  It does not matter as it shows the versitality and possibility of the space.  After weighing her options, including renting a space and buying a larger home, she decided to install a 14'x10'x9' prefabricated a solar-powered backyard shed by Studio Shed.  It includes electrical and plumbing, and has FSC-certified TruWood Collins siding, corrugated metal, a foam-insulated cement floor, energy-efficient windows, and eight 235-watt solar panels.  Not counting solar panels or other options, Studio Shed offers a shed of this size for about $7,200 and generates enough energy for the shed and part of the house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How About A Cheap Solar Powered Law Office Or Space

First, as everyone knows, I work from home.  But, I hear from people all of the time who say I just do not have the space or the privacy to do this.

Second, although I do not need to meet with clients other than online, over the phone or at the courthouse, I hear from lawyers that say they need a space to meet with their clients.  This is perfect either as an adjunct to your home or at a location near your home.

Third, I appreciate cargotecture or the idea of adding space using recycled shipping containers.  I have provided a number of examples over time on this blog.

Sometimes these examples take some reimagining as many examples show where the space is built out as a living space.  This works too because (1) an increase in living space can free up work space in your house, and (2) shipping containers are just boxes that can be finished out any way you want, and placed any where you want.

For means of more inspiration on the subject comes the Sunset‘s Idea House, or Cargotecture.  An ultra-modern small space of only 192 square-feet (this one can actually sleep fourt), it is solar powered.  The 24' shipping container was designed and fabricated by Seattle-based HyBrid, it sell for a base price of $59,500.  You can view a lot of pictures of its installation at their website HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is Your Conservative Commute Hurting You?

We already know that commuting to and from work costs you a whole lot of time and money. And, to all of you ultra conservatives out there, it gives everyone time to listen to NPR. But, it is not NPR that is the problem. (Really). It is the cause and effect of pollution.  

I am talking about the air pollution that results from the millions of cars and trucks that crowd our highways each day, and especially during "Fresh Air", "All Things Considered" and "Talk of the Nation". You know, during the heavy commute times when Rush is not spouting his hate filled, thinly racist, anti-women diatribe.

My carpet commute every day takes less than a minute. Although, when I have to drive into Houston or Dallas, Texas for Court I cannot drive with my windows down or open. The smell is terrible. It is hard to breath. And, the noise is deafening. (Besides, I drive a Prius). Occasionally, I see someone on a motorcycle in traffic and wonder how they can stand it.

We know that the particulate matter in all of the exhaust causes respiratory illness, heart disease, cancer, and and other health effects. But, the danger might be greater than that. Your commute to and from work might be endangering you. 

Researchers at USC have now linked freeway air pollution to increased brain damage in mice.

Now, I know you are asking what people are doing taking mice with them on their commute, but how else are you going to use the HOV lane.  

I know there are those that do not believe in commuting mice, NPR, USC, HOV lanes, hybrid vehicles, something called "science", and believe that researchers reporting findings are "telling you what to do." I am not personally sure when GOD created the freeways, SUVs, and the long, smog filled commute. In all seriousness, however, these scientist and researchers are concerned that commuters might be suffering similarly.

LA Times reports that "exposure to pollution particles roughly one-thousandth the width of a human hair has been linked to brain damage in mice, including signs associated with memory loss and Alzheimer's disease ..."

The study involved utilizing a technology that helped scientists simulate freeway air. It allowed them to hold particulates from auto emissions in liquid suspension in order to recreate a highway-like environment. Mice were then subjected to the faux highway air over long periods of time -- similar durations that humans breathe the stuff in their daily lives.

This pollution caused increased damage to brain tissue, in ways that appear similar to the kind of damage that causes memory loss and Alzheimer's. And the authors of the report believe that humans are prone to similar damage as well.

According to the Times, Todd Morgan, lead author of the new study and a research professor in gerontology at USC explained: "Our data would suggest that freeway pollution could have a profound effect on the development of neurons and brain health in children and young kids, especially those who attend schools built alongside freeways." (Oh Snap! There he goes apparently supporting public schools).

Could the long commutes we have established be contributing to the spike in Alzheimer's in our country?

Although unscientific, I have observed that those that oppose USC, NPR, commuting mice, public schools and science also tend to drive the biggest, gas guzzling and the most polluting vehicles. Or, maybe that is just my prejudice talking.

Regardless, we do know that those that oppose these things also tend to lobby against the EPA, which has been the only agency or organization that has long battled to get emissions standards in vehicles as tight as they are today.  And yet, even these standards are slight in comparison to most developed nations who have fewer cases of deases like Alzheimer's. But do not worry, because if your commute causes brian damage of this nature, the GOP has now proposed ending Medicare and Medicaid so that you cannot possibly be cared for in your old age should you contract such a dease.

In the meantime, I have a solution that might help. Close your traditional office, go virtual (or as virtual as possible), move your office home, move your employees, partners and associates home, and stay away from the rush hour commutes. Obviously, you will have more time, more money, less expense, less aggrevation, and an overall better quality of life.

Do I have an Amend?

Texas Container Studio

Maybe with a niche practice comes the need for a niche workspace.  Whether working at home or not far from home, you do not need a lot of private space, but you need some. But, it needs to be something that you can own, that is not overly expensive to construct or maintain, and which does not add to your ongoing monthly overhead greatly. Of course, it does not hurt if it renewable and green.

In this regard, Dwell provides photos by Chris Cooper of a San Antonio, Texas 8'x40' container space designed by Jim Poteet.  This rendition is a small living space, including a small living space, bathroom, sink and counter.  But, the concept can just as easily be a small office or studio workplace. It is sandwiched by a foundation of recycled telephone poles and roof of lush greenery.  It has bamboo flooring and wallcovering, an electric composting toilet, a mini-split heating and cooling system, and large floor-to-ceiling windows and doors to allow natural light. Simply an impressive use of the uses of a shipping container.

        

(Video) Small House Movement Can Also Be The Small Law Office Movement

When you think about it, the small law office is the antithesis of Big Law. If you do not care for Big Law, then you have to stop trying to emulate it in every form and thought. And, I think you will find the simplified life, and law practice, is well worth pursuing.

The Backyard Box

I have written about this concept before. If you feel you need a dedicated office, but wish to work at home, and need more space, you should consider building or placing a separate office on your existing home property. You could even place it on property not far from your home in some cases. Regardless, it offers you the dedicated space, along with the solitude for which you might be looking.

In this regard, Seattle-based developer Sloan Ritchie has launched what he calls the Backyard Box. It is a good name for it. It is extra space for whatever you need, whether that is an office, studio, apartment, or income property. It has a good amount of room, it is flexible, it is green, it comes finished, and comes in three sizes to fit your needs. The Smart Box option includes solar photovoltaics, solar hot water panels, an energy monitoring dashboard, rainscreen siding, an efficient lighting package, SIP framing, non-toxic finishes, and each box will be built to Passive House standards to provide a massive reduction in heating energy costs and corresponding increase in thermal comfort for purchasers. These homes start at $79,000.00.

Whether you want to buy a pre-fab building, custom made to your liking, or wish to build something similar traditionally in place, this Box gives you the idea of what it can look like and how it should function.

    

Meet The OfficePOD

Commuting away from home to an office is a pain.  A carpet commute is a joy.  The problem with a carpet commute is that sometimes attorneys and staff do not feel they have the space at or near home in which to work.  Often they do not feel they have a quality small space that is designed as a professional office that is away from all of the hub bub of the home.  Exchange a carpet commute for a garden commute could be beneficial and it really does not require that much space.  

In the past we have demonstrated how you could build your own space or retrofit other prefab units. Now, however, a British company has developed the OfficePOD that is designed as a small professional office space.

The OfficePOD comes with an integrated desk, storage, LED lighting, window blinds, and a lock.  It comes together in one neat little package.  It is green, and it costs about $25,000 US.  It takes about a day to set up, and the lead time for installation is less than 12 weeks.

     

You Can Call It A Cabana But I Will Call It A Home Office

I have often speculated about using shipping containers cheaply to create a home office or to clear space in your house in order to move your office to that space.  I did not think it had to be ugly or industrial.  I did not think it had to be cheap.

This point, I believe is proven by a recent article in The Oregonian about a man named Mike Corvi turning an 8' x 20' shipping container into a cabana in his back yard for about $8,000.00 fully renovated.

He hired a couple of skilled builders - one with metal-welding experience, to start cutting out windows and doors. They added high-end dual-pane Jeld-Wen wood window and sliding glass door, carved out a small front porch with a corrugated metal roof and wired the entire structure for electricity, cable and heat.  His brother-in-law, helped him design and build an interior wood frame separate from the outer metal shell, allowing for a crucial half-inch of air circulation. It is anchored in just one place on the roof and one on the floor.  He attached two inches of rigid foam insulation to the inside of the wood frame and finished the interior with birch plywood paneling. Corvi estimates that the insulation grade for the walls and ceiling is about R-20.