W-Pod by Victor Vetterlein

W-Pod (Writer’s Pod), is a design proposal for a portable writing studio to be placed at various locations on the property of a private residence near Aspen, Colorado, USA. For writing inspiration, the client requested a small studio design that had the potential to be moved by truck or helicopter to various locations on her rural property, and by public roadway to her city residence. Therefore, the W-Pod design could be no wider than the maximum width and height of 8’-6” (248.92cm) allowed by public roadway restrictions. Since the potential site locations are within walking distance of a residential structure, running water and a bathroom are not necessary. However, a small amount of electricity is desired. Due to heavy winter snow common to the area, the pod needs to have a separate six foot (182.88cm) high base frame.

A detachable stairway is also necessary.
For the W-Pod design proposal, the pod sides are angled and cantilevered in order to minimize the size of the base frame. The shell structure is an 8”(20.32cm) wide insulated metal frame with an exterior skin made from rubber coated fiber-cement panels. The interior finish is to be bleached birch-faced plywood. The W-Pod comes with built in storage, benches, and a fold-down work table. A small wood stove provides winter heat, and serves as a warm air ventilation duct in the summer months. A portable solar and wind turbine tower by Solar Stik provides electrical power to the pod. Battery packs stowed under the pod seating store power for extended electrical use. Threaded fasteners on the bottom of the pod attach it to the steel structural frame, and four detachable eye bolts on the roof are used for lifting.