High-Tech Office Pods | Denizen

The Rise of the Tiny Office: Denizen and the Future of Remote Work

While the initial surge in popularity of tiny houses may have waned following the COVID-19 pandemic, a renewed focus on remote work is sparking interest in a new concept: the tiny office.

Nick Foley, founder and CEO of Denizen, notes a significant demand for dedicated, tranquil workspaces. Individuals are increasingly willing to invest in environments conducive to focused thought.

From Bike-Sharing to Micro-Offices

Foley previously served as the chief product officer and director of industrial design for Jump Bikes, a bike-sharing service acquired by Uber in 2018 for $200 million. His current venture, Denizen, centers around a core question: “Is it possible to engineer an office experience, delivered as a product, that provides an optimal workday for an individual?”

Foley believes that WeWork’s approach to workspace optimization had limitations. Although co-working spaces offer social advantages, the inherent activity and diverse focus of a shared environment can hinder the deep concentration required for certain tasks.

Denizen’s response is the creation of compact, self-contained office units. These pre-constructed pods are equipped with essential features like power outlets, USB ports, integrated cameras for video conferencing, speakers, a built-in router, and even a whiteboard wall – all within a footprint of under 100 square feet.

The design aesthetic of Denizen’s office pods is a key feature. They incorporate large windows with instant privacy settings, utilize recyclable materials, and boast a style that aligns with contemporary design publications like Dwell, where they were recently highlighted.

“The high ceilings and expansive glass create a feeling of spaciousness,” Foley explains, emphasizing Denizen’s commitment to providing tools for “inspired and productive workdays.” A NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory employee even showcased a virtual tour of their personal Denizen micro-workspace.

Accessibility and Business Models

Initially, Denizen intended to offer its pre-fabricated office pods exclusively to employers through a monthly subscription service. However, overwhelming demand from remote workers seeking alternatives led the company to expand its offerings.

Now, individuals can purchase these standalone, mobile offices for approximately $55,000. These units can be conveniently placed at residential locations.

Foley envisions the Denizen model as a valuable component of post-COVID real estate strategies. As companies reduce their office footprints, they are exploring more adaptable and customized solutions to meet the evolving needs of their workforce.

For bulk orders, Foley anticipates a rental cost of around $1,000 per month per smartpod for employers.

Future Visions: Shared Amenities and Scalability

Beyond supplementing traditional offices, Foley hopes to see clusters of Denizen office pods strategically placed in public green spaces, available for daily booking.

“The ultimate goal is similar to the Jump Bikes concept,” Foley states, “facilitating collaboration at the neighborhood level to provide exceptional shared amenities.”

The company is currently securing seed funding and initiating multi-unit trials with companies in the Bay Area and throughout California, scheduled to begin in early 2022. Denizen plans a measured rollout, aiming to sell approximately 100 units next year while refining the manufacturing process.

The mobility of the smartpods is a deliberate design choice, circumventing many of the permitting challenges that Foley encountered during his time with Jump Bikes, involving kiosk and parking structure installations.

With a required space of just 12x7.5 feet and the necessary financial resources, individuals can readily deploy a Denizen office pod and begin working. From a regulatory standpoint, it functions much like a compact recreational vehicle, excluding plumbing.

Manufacturing and Design Innovation

Foley expresses enthusiasm not only for the future of work that Denizen embodies but also for the intricacies of the pod’s construction. The manufacturing process integrates large-scale CNC automation, 3D printing, and advanced product design to deliver a pre-fabricated, ready-to-ship product to early customers on the West Coast.