Since the beginning of the pandemic, the demand for more space around the home has been on the rise. One company heeding the call is Aux Box, a Vancouver Island–based prefab builder offering compact, turnkey office units and living spaces.

Recently, the company installed a 106-square-foot office in the backyard of a home on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, for a couple that had been based in Vancouver. The couple fled to the town of Ucluelet to ride out the pandemic at their retreat, but after realizing the sudden shift in lifestyle suited them better, they sold their primary residence, moving to the island full-time.

The unit they purchased from Aux Box has provided them with the perfect work-from-home space, ultimately making the retreat more accommodating as a primary residence. “We were able to support their new lifestyle by adding square footage to their home with no interruptions,” says the company’s art director, Dana Ramler.

Since 2018, the company, founded by Morgan Seeber and Landon Sheck, has provided homeowners with a way to add livable space without the hassles of traditional, on-site construction methods. Units ranging in size from 97 to 240 square feet arrive at the build site ready for installation.

The firm’s proprietary system allows for same-day setups using structural insulated panels (SIPs). Doors and windows manufactured in Germany are framed with reinforced steel for durability and energy efficiency, and the exteriors are clad in a matching steel. The interiors are lined in Canadian wood: natural, prefinished pine and engineered white oak.

“With the environment top-of-mind, our production method enables us to be intentional and strategic with material usage and produce less waste,” explains Ramler. “We’ve thoughtfully prepared our products to be long lasting, focusing on timeless aesthetics rather than trend-informed design choices.”

In addition to durable and eco-friendly materials, the prefabs are also designed with non-invasive foundations, allowing them to be easily moved or transferred to new locations as needed. They can also be hauled to remote locations and situated above rugged terrain—two characteristics of the west coast of Vancouver Island. Ultimately, the full installation on the couple’s property took less than four hours, and they were moving their furniture in by lunchtime.

Learn more about Aux Box’s offerings at their website.

Related Reading:

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Project Credits:

Designer + Builder: A ux Box / @aux.box