Ditch the Commute
November 17, 2010
It’s been sometime since the first notion of trading in the noise and lights of the big city for a quieter life in the suburbs. Only in recent years have we seen the reverse trend. The ever rising price of gasoline, the countless hours lost in one’s daily commute, and fractured in family lives are all influencing people to rethink their lifestyle choices.
While some individuals are looking for ways to work closer to home for a shorter commute, others are taking it one step further and saying: ‘Why not work where you live? Ditch the commute altogether.
Enter the live-work concept.
The traditional live-work concept commonly associated with artists and non-corporate endeavors is shifting. Technology has allowed a range of businesses to operate successfully out of their homes. Large warehouse spaces and empty lofts are no longer needed to house the new live-work concept. Basements have been converted into post production studios, garages have been replaced with design firms, and spare bedrooms are perfectly suited for the daily operations of small business or are the perfect area for home offices.
Architrix operates out of a live-work studio at the Edge – a building equipped with top-notch amenities and entrepreneurial neighbours. If you’ve had thoughts of starting your own business and like the idea of ditching your daily commute, it may be time to pursue the idea further. A simple interior renovation can transform an unused space into a practical home office. Planning customized work stations, providing adequate cabinetry/ storage units and installing proper lighting will provide you with the space and functionality of any typical office, in the comfort of your own home.
For more inspiration, check out these two success stories:
One: Micheal Pozner, the head of retail development and legal council leasing for American Apparel, adapts his small New York city abode, to host his office and home.
Two: A family of three converts a 1972 home with a studio large enough to cater to online giants Yelp, Facebook, and PayPal.
Until next time,
Paul Park
