Architecture

Hairy micro-office provides a distraction-free workspace

Hairy micro-office provides a distraction-free workspace
Mission Control is covered in a total of 546 wooden broom heads
Mission Control is covered in a total of 546 wooden broom heads
View 17 Images
Mission Control is located in a garden in Nottingham, UK
1/17
Mission Control is located in a garden in Nottingham, UK
Mission Control replaces a derelict shed formerly on the same spot
2/17
Mission Control replaces a derelict shed formerly on the same spot
Mission Control has a floorspace of just 7 sq m (75 sq ft)
3/17
Mission Control has a floorspace of just 7 sq m (75 sq ft)
Mission Control is covered in a total of 546 wooden broom heads
4/17
Mission Control is covered in a total of 546 wooden broom heads
Mission Control is located in a garden in Nottingham, UK
5/17
Mission Control is located in a garden in Nottingham, UK
Mission Control is insulated with sheep's wool
6/17
Mission Control is insulated with sheep's wool
"We built this custom-designed structure as the antithesis of a contemplation space with landscape views and flowing inside-outside space," says 2hd Architecture Workshop
7/17
"We built this custom-designed structure as the antithesis of a contemplation space with landscape views and flowing inside-outside space," says 2hd Architecture Workshop
Mission Control is covered in a total of 546 wooden broom heads
8/17
Mission Control is covered in a total of 546 wooden broom heads
Access to Mission Control requires one find and remove the correct "secret panel" broom head, then slide back a heavy screen door
9/17
Access to Mission Control requires one find and remove the correct "secret panel" broom head, then slide back a heavy screen door
Mission Control has no windows, just a single skylight
10/17
Mission Control has no windows, just a single skylight
Mission Control requires no heating, the waste heat from the computer is reported to provide sufficient warmth
11/17
Mission Control requires no heating, the waste heat from the computer is reported to provide sufficient warmth
Mission Control replaces a derelict shed formerly on the same spot
12/17
Mission Control replaces a derelict shed formerly on the same spot
Mission Control is clad in a total of 546 wooden broom heads
13/17
Mission Control is clad in a total of 546 wooden broom heads
Mission Control is topped by a skylight
14/17
Mission Control is topped by a skylight
Mission Control is topped by a skylight
15/17
Mission Control is topped by a skylight
Access to Mission Control requires one find and remove the correct "secret panel" broom head, then slide back a heavy screen door
16/17
Access to Mission Control requires one find and remove the correct "secret panel" broom head, then slide back a heavy screen door
Inside the snug workspace
17/17
Inside the snug workspace
View gallery - 17 images

Here's an unusual little project from 2hd Architecture Workshop. Named Mission Control, the home office is described as "an experimental hairy micro-office" by the firm and is covered in broom heads, lending it a quirky appearance that offers no obvious clue as to the building's purpose.

Mission Control is located in a garden in Nottingham, England, and replaces a derelict shed formerly situated on the same spot. It has a floorspace of just 7 sq m (75 sq ft).

The exterior of the building is covered in a total of 546 wooden broom heads with natural coco-fiber bristles, which are screwed onto battens wrapping around the walls. The decision to use broom heads came from the firm wanting a natural material with an interesting texture that's readily available and affordable, while also offering a little protection from burglars by concealing the building's purpose and entrance.

Indeed, access to the office requires that one first finds and removes the correct "secret panel" broom head and slide back a heavy lockable door. The office is topped by a large skylight but features no windows. It's envisioned as a cocoon to escape the distractions from the outside world.

Mission Control has no windows, just a single skylight
Mission Control has no windows, just a single skylight

"We built this custom-designed structure as the antithesis of a contemplation space with landscape views and flowing inside-outside space," says the firm. "In contrast, we needed an almost monastic cell, removed from physical context and worldly distraction, where we could retreat to immerse ourselves in brain work."

The interior walls and ceilings are finished in whitewashed plywood. Structurally, Mission Control consists of timber panels prefabricated in the firm's nearby workshop, while sheep's wool serves as insulation. This must do the job keeping the place warm as 2hd Architecture Workshop reports that body heat and the excess heat from the computer is sufficient.

Source: 2hd Architecture Workshop

View gallery - 17 images
3 comments
3 comments
Bruce H. Anderson
Prices for push brooms range from $10 to $15 (including handle). That means that 546 of them will set you back $5,460 dollars at a minimum. Those broom heads may be "readily available," but certainly not "affordable."
Mr T
Bruce, that's a retail price, buying thousands means you would get them much cheaper, less than half that.
Reason
Mr T
Presumably quite a bit less still, without the handles ...
My somewhat claustrophobic perspective is they used to lock people in spaces like that as a pretty effective punishment!