About this office
This backyard office was built so its owner could stop renting an office and work from home in North Vancouver. It’s 9′ x 12′ (108 sq/ft), with red open-joint Hardie siding, slim aluminum reveals, French doors and a row of clerestory windows. It was built in a shop, trucked to the house and set into an unused deck at the back of the yard.
Red siding with a clean, modern look
The red Hardie panels are set with small gaps between them, and anodized aluminum reveals frame each window and corner. The clerestory windows sit under a flat, overhanging roof, so the office gets plenty of daylight without losing wall space.
Built in a shop
The walls, roof, windows and siding were all done indoors. Building in a shop keeps the work dry and lets the siding be painted before it goes on.
Delivered on a trailer and lifted into place
The finished office was loaded on a trailer and driven to the house. A crane truck and an air bag under the floor helped move it off the trailer and into the old deck area.
| Location | North Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 9' x 12' (108 sq/ft) |
| Siding | Open-joint Hardie siding with anodized aluminum reveals |
| Roof | Standing seam metal |
| Overhangs | Front and back 12"; sides 6" |
| Ceiling | Pine tongue-and-groove |
| Floor | Oak hardwood |
| Doors | 60" smooth fibreglass French doors |
| Windows | Two 30" x 30" aluminum windows, plus clerestory windows |
| Power and heat | Yes |
| Permit status | At 108 sq/ft it sits right at 10 m². Check with the municipality. |
More photos
The photos below show more of the build and the finished building.
What to plan before building a backyard office
- Size: 9′ x 12′ (108 sq/ft) fits a desk, a chair and shelving. It’s right at the 10 m² size where many BC cities start to ask for a building permit, so check first.
- Light: clerestory windows high on the walls bring in daylight and keep the walls free for desks and shelves.
- Siding: open-joint panels with aluminum reveals give a clean, modern look and are low-maintenance.
- Power and heat: plan the electrical early if the office will be used every day.
- Access: a deck or patio at the back of the yard can be a good spot, but the delivery route needs room for a trailer or crane.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this backyard office?
It’s 9 feet by 12 feet, which is 108 sq/ft (about 10 m²) of floor space.
Do you need a permit for a backyard office in North Vancouver?
Both the City and the District of North Vancouver use 10 m² (108 sq/ft) as the size where a building permit starts, and an office with power and heat can need more permits. See the North Vancouver Shed Regulations and City of North Vancouver Shed Regulations, then check with the municipality.
How was it delivered?
It was built in a shop, driven to the house on a trailer and moved into place with help from a crane truck and an air bag under the floor.
Can it be used as a full-time office?
Yes. It has power, heat and lots of daylight. See the North Vancouver Backyard Office guide for more ideas.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, see the North Vancouver Backyard Office guide, or check the Shed Rules by City.