Why I'm building my Nearspace

The moment everything changed

I was walking around our lot with my partner, my mother, and her husband, discussing my work-from-home situation. Kids running around, the usual domestic chaos in the background.

Then he said something that completely shifted my thinking:

"If you aim to be working from home a lot, you should have a place to walk to. So that you can come home in the evening. You would never sleep in the office, right?"

That's when I knew I needed to build my Nearspace.

What exactly is a Nearspace?

A Nearspace is exactly what you need it to be.

For some, it's an art studio. For others, a YouTube creator setup or a yoga retreat. It could be your photography studio, your writing sanctuary, your design workshop or simply a calm place for your desk.

For me, it's going to be all of these things and more:

• A creative space where all my gear is accessible and ready to use
• A proper work-from-home setup for meetings without kids and cats interrupting
• A photography studio for controlled lighting and professional shoots
• A place of peace away from the beautiful chaos inside our house
• A space to focus without seeing dishes, laundry, and all the domestic tasks calling for attention

The problem with working from home... at home

Here's the thing about working from home: there are 1000 reasons why a dedicated space matters, but it all comes down to peace and order.

Right now, I'm locking myself in my oldest kid's bedroom just to take a meeting. I see the unmade beds, the toys scattered around, the endless domestic distractions that pull my attention away from the work I'm trying to do.

A Nearspace gives you something powerful: the ability to "go to work" even when it's just a few steps away. There's something that shifts in your mind when you have that physical separation. You don't sleep in the office for a reason - and you shouldn't have to work in your living space either.

Building on what I've learned

This feels like building a mini version of our house again - and just like having a second child, you're reliving the first experience but with more confidence and knowledge.

Two years ago, I designed and built our dream house while running design for a massive IT project with a newborn baby. Those sketches I was too embarrassed to show the architect? They ended up being better than his professional plans.

Now I'm more aware of the challenges coming around the corner. I know what things actually cost. I know where to cut expenses and where not to compromise. I can do more of the work myself because I've been part of making it before.

It's not rocket science - you just need to know what comes next and what needs to be done before that.

Where we are now

The concrete slab is poured. The walls are up. The roof is on.

We have a structure, and now comes the fun part - turning this shell into a functional, beautiful creative space. I'm planning to do more of the work myself this time, though I'll still have help from the construction company guys when I need.

What I'm going to document

I'm not particularly interested in showing myself banging in nails (though that might make for good content anyway). What I really want to share is how to think through the decisions:

• What's actually important and what's just nice to have
• The designer's perspective on small space functionality
• The struggles when I don't have all the answers (unlike most architect channels)
• Those revealing moments when real progress happens

Who this journey is for

This documentation is for people working from home who are established, confident, and love good design. People who need a dedicated space to do what they love but aren't sure how to make it happen.

Maybe you're considering your own creative space. Maybe you're curious about the design process. Maybe you just want to be entertained by watching someone figure it out in real time.

Whatever brings you here, I hope this journey will:

• Inspire you to believe your own impossible space is possible
• Teach you something about design, building, or creative problem-solving
• Show you that you don't need unlimited resources or formal training to create something beautiful

What I'm nervous about (and excited for)

Budget is always a concern - this can't get too costly. I'm also nervous about what I might miss documenting, those crucial moments that happen when the camera isn't rolling.

But I'm incredibly excited about the finished space and the joy of making myself at home in there. After years of working at screens, there's something deeply satisfying about working with physical materials, trusting the process, and watching something real take shape with your own hands.

The invitation

Building your creative space doesn't have to be hard. It's about believing in the process and trusting that your vision can become reality, one decision at a time.

I'm documenting every step - the successes, the mistakes, the budget decisions, and the design breakthroughs. Join me for this journey from structure to sanctuary.

PS: You're receiving this email because you previously signed up for Nearspace updates. I've upgraded to a better system (Ghost) so I can share more content and insights from my build journey. Don't want future updates? Just click unsubscribe at the bottom.