The fabulous timber-framed Edgerton Road bus shelter in Huddersfield, formerly a tram shelter. Grade II listed, it was built in 1896 then completely refurbished and
turned into a bus shelter in 2015 in time for the Tour de France that year.
Features include a pyramidal slate roof, and a nice bench to sit on.
Photo by Tim Green
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Here's a 12 sqm garden office tailormade by Hawksbeck Garden Rooms for clients in Kensington, London, who wanted something fully functional but that also blended into the relaxing garden atmosphere. Features including a marvellous oak desk, plenty of storage, two single entry doors. On the outside, the lap weatherboard cladding is in pale sage green Cedral Lap Weatherboard.
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A new study of 6,000 people by automatic time tracking specialists DeskTime suggests that working from home and garden offices is a key element in balancing life and work.
Its figures reveal that the most productive employees tend to work on a 75/33 work-to-rest cycle (work for 75 minutes, then rest for 33 minutes) compared to during the pandemic remote working years when the ratio was more like 112/26 which DeskTime argue means that in-office or hybrid work encourages a healthier work-life balance than fully remote work.
CEO, Artis Rozentals, said: “When DeskTime conducted the work/break ratio study back in 2021 we saw that working from home had immensely impacted workers’ ability to draw a line between work and life. Now, our latest productivity research shows we’re returning to more balanced working habits. Knowing the prevalence of hybrid work, the new 75/33 ratio may be linked to working in-office again.
“Working from the office, we’re naturally prone to taking more breaks – getting coffee, talking to co-workers, etc. While these interruptions may seem unproductive at first, they’re vital for mental rejuvenation and contribute to employee wellbeing. Plus, it provides us with the necessary social dynamic of a workplace. Ultimately, my experience as a CEO has shown that the hybrid model is the goldilocks choice, as it best leverages both this in-office social dynamic and the deep focus afforded by remote work."
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It's been some time since we caught up on Cressida Cowell's regular 'path to the writing shed' updates so here's the author of How To Train Your Dragon's evocative entry for June.
As we've often said before on Shedworking, sheds are for children too, and here's a fine example, The Hideaway from Scotts of Thrapston. Features include a cedar shingle roof with a copper finial, double doors, and a rear leaded 'peep window', and built with sustainable FSC-certified hardwood.
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One of the problems with visiting Dylan Thomas's writing shed in Wales is that the public is not normally allowed inside to have a proper look (although you can get a feel of it through the window), a gripe that is also applicable to George Bernard Shaw's writing hut in Hertfordshire. However, in the video below from around the 18.20 mark, you can enjoy an actual tour of the hallowed spot.
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If you haven't already done so you have until midnight on June 7 to enter this year's Shed of the Year competition. There are lots of entries already but you have to be in it to win it (£1,000 plus other nice stuff). Click the link to enter and remember you need to add six photos to make your entry valid, and if you've entered in the last five years and were not a finalist then you can re-enter. Pictured above is one of our favourite entries this year, The Coop, an art studio which is handbuilt and makes great use of recycled materials.
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