The Ergosphere is a dedicated workspace pod designed for deep focus and creativity.
It provides a separate, quiet, and ergonomically optimized environment to get work done, right in your backyard or property.
This post explains why we built it, what makes it different from other home office solutions, and who it's designed for.
The Work-From-Home Problem
Remote work is here to stay. But most home offices are compromises.
The spare bedroom problem: You converted a bedroom into an office. It's still a bedroom. The bed is right there. The closet has clothes, not files. The door doesn't lock. Kids, partners, and pets wander in.
The kitchen table problem: "I'll just work from here." You're in the middle of household traffic. Every coffee break is a distraction. Video calls show your kitchen in the background. You never fully switch from "home mode" to "work mode."
The finished basement problem: You're underground. No natural light. Strange smells. The mental association is "storage" not "work."
The expensive renovation problem: You could build a proper home office, but that's $30,000-80,000 in construction costs, months of disruption, and permanent modification to your home.
The Ergosphere solves this: a dedicated workspace, separate from your home, built for focus.
What Makes a Good Workspace
Research on productivity and workspace design is clear about what matters:
Physical Separation
The most important factor: physical separation between work and life.
When you walk to a separate building to work, you trigger a mental shift. You're "going to work" even though you're still on your property. At the end of the day, you leave work behind.
This separation is impossible when your office is in your living space. The laptop is right there. Work is always present.
Environmental Control
Good work happens in controlled environments:
- Temperature: You control the thermostat, not building management
- Lighting: Natural light plus controllable task lighting
- Sound: Quiet when you need focus, music when you want it
- Air quality: Fresh air, not recirculated building air
Open offices and shared spaces take control away. Private spaces give it back.
Minimal Distractions
The average knowledge worker is interrupted every 11 minutes. Each interruption takes 23 minutes to recover from.
A separate workspace eliminates household interruptions:
- No one walks through looking for something
- No delivery notifications
- No TV sounds from another room
- No "quick questions" from family members
You're still available if needed (phone works), but the default is uninterrupted focus.
Ergonomic Design
Bad ergonomics are slow poison. Slouched posture, eye strain, repetitive stress — these accumulate over months and years.
A purpose-built workspace can be designed around ergonomics from the start:
- Proper desk height for your body
- Monitor at eye level
- Chair that actually fits you
- Lighting that doesn't cause eye strain
The Ergosphere Design
The Ergosphere is the base Thiosphere structure configured for office use.
Footprint
- Exterior: Approximately 12' diameter sphere
- Interior: 95 square feet of usable space
- Height: 10' at peak, 7' at working level
This is enough space for a full desk setup, chair, storage, and moving around. Small enough to fit in a backyard. Large enough to work comfortably.
Standard Configuration
Work surface: Built-in desk along the curved wall, 6' length, proper depth for monitors and keyboard.
Power and data: Electrical run from your house (DIY or electrician), multiple outlets, optional ethernet conduit.
Lighting: Windows for natural light, overhead LED for task lighting, dimmable for video calls.
Climate: Insulated for year-round use. Mini-split HVAC recommended for extreme climates; fans and small heater sufficient for moderate climates.
Sound: Double-shell construction provides natural sound isolation. Additional acoustic panels optional.
Optional Add-Ons
- Standing desk integration: Adjustable-height desk insert
- Video call setup: Backdrop, ring light mounts, cable management
- Storage: Shelving, filing, equipment closet
- Whiteboard walls: Writable surface for brainstorming
Who This Is For
The Ergosphere serves specific use cases:
Remote Knowledge Workers
If you work from home and your job involves focused thinking — writing, coding, designing, analyzing — you need uninterrupted time.
The Ergosphere provides it. Walk to your office. Close the door. Do deep work.
Creative Professionals
Writers, artists, designers, and other creatives need space that supports their process.
The Ergosphere is a blank canvas. Configure it for your creative work:
- Art studio with natural light
- Music production space with acoustic treatment
- Writing retreat with minimal distractions
- Photography editing suite
Therapists and Counselors
Virtual therapy requires privacy. Your clients need to know no one else can hear.
A separate structure provides the privacy assurance that a spare bedroom can't. Plus, the unique space helps clients recognize "this is therapy time."
Entrepreneurs and Solo Founders
Running a business from home means the business is always present. You eat breakfast with your laptop. You check email before bed.
A separate workspace creates boundaries. When you're in the Ergosphere, you're working. When you're not, you're not.
Anyone Seeking Focus
Maybe you don't work remotely full-time, but you have a project:
- Writing a book
- Learning a new skill
- Building something
- Studying for certification
The Ergosphere is a focus sanctuary. When you're there, you're focused.
Cost Comparison
Traditional home office renovation: $30,000-80,000
- Permits, construction, HVAC, electrical
- Months of disruption
- Permanent modification to home
Pre-fab office pods: $15,000-40,000
- Manufactured units shipped to you
- Often require foundation preparation
- Limited customization
Commercial co-working (annual): $3,000-8,000
- Commute required
- No privacy guarantee
- Subject to other members' noise
Ergosphere DIY build: ~$3,500-5,000
- Materials from hardware store
- Build over several weekends
- Fully customizable
- Relocatable if you move
The Ergosphere costs a fraction of alternatives while providing better customization and permanence.
The Build
Building an Ergosphere follows the same process as the base Thiosphere:
Time: 40-60 hours over 3-4 weekends
Skills required: Basic woodworking (circular saw, drill, measuring). If you've done any DIY projects, you can do this.
Materials: Standard lumber and plywood from any hardware store.
Documentation: The handbook includes complete Ergosphere configuration guide — desk dimensions, electrical planning, acoustic recommendations.
Development Status
The Ergosphere is currently in Phase 2 (WALK):
What's validated:
- Structure performs as expected
- Standard desk configurations work well
- Climate control is manageable in moderate climates
- Sound isolation meets expectations
What we're still testing:
- Extreme climate performance (very hot, very cold)
- Long-term durability in various conditions
- Optimal HVAC sizing for different regions
What's coming:
- Detailed electrical integration guide
- Pre-designed interior configurations
- Community photos and modifications
Getting Started
If the Ergosphere sounds like what you need:
1. Read the handbook: Understand the base structure first. The Ergosphere is a configuration, not a different design.
2. Plan your site: Where on your property? How will you run power? Check any local building codes.
3. Design your interior: What's your work setup? Take measurements from your current setup and plan the interior.
4. Build: Follow the handbook, with Ergosphere-specific notes for office configuration.
5. Move in: The best day is walking to your new office for the first time.
The Productivity Case
A conservative estimate: the Ergosphere adds 2 hours of productive time per workday.
How? Fewer interruptions. Faster context switching. Better focus environment.
At $50/hour value for knowledge work, that's $100/day, $500/week, $26,000/year in recovered productivity.
The Ergosphere pays for itself in a month.
Even at half those numbers — 1 hour/day recovered — it pays for itself in two months.
This isn't just about comfort. It's about economic return on space investment.
The Invitation
Home offices are compromises. The Ergosphere isn't.
A separate building for your work. Walking distance from your life. Designed for focus.
Build your productivity. Build your space. Build your Ergosphere.
Learn more about the Ergosphere — Design details and development status.
Get the Handbook — Includes Ergosphere configuration guide.
Join the community — Connect with other remote workers building their spaces.