![[greenhouse-office.jpeg]] How much time will you spend in an office working? For many of us the answer is tens of thousands of hours. Current offices are clearly not optimized for wellbeing and often not that great for productivity either. Dimly lit, noisy, toxic chemicals, kitchens full of junk food, etc... What if that environment was optimized for wellbeing and productivity first over what usually looks like cost savings? That is the question I asked. # The Experiment A couple of principles formed the initial idea. The simple version is the conditions where plants thrive overlap significantly with where humans thrive. 1) **Bright Light** and its benefits during the day; the circadian rhythm is set by bright light in the morning. How well it is set affects practically every aspect of our bodies and minds work (that's worthy of a whole separate piece of writing for later). The availability of bright light has direct and large impacts including [dopamine sensitivity](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00259-024-06715-9) In contrast, most indoor environments are deceptively dim. As in up to 100x more dim compared to my greenhouse office even in the dark Seattle winters. 2) **Plants** 1) **Stress management**: short term stress sometimes helps performance. Chronic stress reduces performance. Besides, who wants to be stressed more than necessary? Plants and trees have remarkable stress regulating effects [verified an many studies ](https://meridian.allenpress.com/jeh/article/37/1/30/430948/An-Update-of-the-Literature-Supporting-the-Well)by cortisol dropping. 2) **Cognition**: I've been pleasantly surprised by the amount of [research](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1420326X19900213) showing cognitive benefits from plants. Focus, creativity, memory, reaction time, and more all show potential effects. 3) **Fatigue**: being tired while working is neither enjoyable or useful. Plants "[can help reduce mental fatigue recovery time and improve concentration levels](https://meridian.allenpress.com/jeh/article/37/1/30/430948/An-Update-of-the-Literature-Supporting-the-Well)" 4) **General wellbeing**:[ in summary plants are remarkably effective at making life better](https://meridian.allenpress.com/jeh/article/37/1/30/430948/An-Update-of-the-Literature-Supporting-the-Well) "plants in native and improved landscapes (and interiorscapes) have been documented to influence each of six quality of life constructs." 3) **Temperature** I prefer a warm 74 F/23 C workspace. There are also objective reasons to prefer warmth. Both cold and hot temperatures can [reduce cognitive performance on a wide range of measures](The results from 515 effect sizes calculated from 22 original studies suggest that hot and cold temperatures negatively impact performance on a wide range of cognitive-related tasks.) Even cold adapted people still [perform better in warm temperatures](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1420326X20913617) They also rate their enthusiasm for their work higher. Which makes sense since people even rate other people [more positively when they feel warm](https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.1162548) An advantage when connecting with and meeting people. # Results Theory is helpful, but what happens when I put these ideas to the test? - Bright light from being in my office in the morning does more to energize me than a high caffeine energy drink. When consistent, I actually want to get out of bed in the morning. That usually doesn't happen, a most welcome benefit. - Stress regulates so easily I barely notice it as an issue even when issues arise. I was already mostly calm, I usually benefit from adding stress via exercise, sauna, cold, etc. - My happiness and enthusiasm are far higher and the effects persist almost a year later. Long lasting increases are rare, most go away in months or less. This is called the "hedonic treadmill" and I have found few research backed ways that don't have the effect. - One of the effects I find most helpful is having a one minute walk to my office is enough to create a clear boundary between when I am doing focused work and the rest of my life. Just enough to keep me on track once I get started and feel like I can leave work behind. The movement itself gets me # A concrete example of the experimentalist approach What I'm doing here is a bit abstract and I want to communicate more effectively. This experiment is a more concrete explanation of what Experimentalist Life is all about: 1) **Focus on what's valuable** I highly value health, wealth, connection, and enjoying the journey of life. Keeping these values in mind lead my focus of experimentation to my workspace for high potential upside. 2) **Test cost effectively** I started by putting my desk out in the forest when the weather is nice. A low cost way to figure out what worked and what I really want. This office is better developed but still actually the prototype in considering building a bigger and better version. Each stage allows for learning and adjustment to discover what works best personally instead of risking wasting all those resources at once creating the final office. More on what I learned in the next section. 3) **Best of both worlds** Combine the best of the modern artificial and natural worlds into one. Get more benefits of both with less of the suffering plaguing life today (depression, anxiety chronic stress, chronic fatigue, etc) # What I've learned 1) If you're considering trying a new workspace: based on my experience the best approach is to make a friend or find a place like a botanical garden to try working from for a couple of days. This maximizes learning compared to the cost required to test it out. If it's working try a two week experiment, which provides the information to decide how beneficial this is for you and what you want most. I visited the Amazon Spheres for inspiration. ![[amzn-spheres.png]] 2) I found the greenhouse actually got too bright on sunny days, I think that a single wall of windows facing away from the sun (north facing for most people) is plenty. I think a polycarbonate roof with multiple layers and an automatic sunshade on it to allow for shade on hot days and more light on cloudy days is best. 3) Humidity can also be an issue, some materials don't work. My cloth mousepad started to grow mold and had to be replaced. Papers can't be left or they will quickly decay. This is with a great dehumidifier running all night. 4) I was concerned about wasting energy on winter heating, it does have a price but less than expected around 1-200 kwh a month. I find it exciting to work under a palm tree in December and have fresh tomatoes as well! 5) I'm going to be building an upgraded version based on what I've learned. The main difference is using a wood frame instead of the plastic ridden kit and digging 7 feet down to gain thermal efficiency for year round tropical temperatures with minimal energy input. I will be building multiple actually since the tropical office plants actually are mostly happier without direct sunlight just like I and my computer screens are too. The plants and trees for food production will go in a separate space that can be higher brightness and humidity. I also found having the office and food growing together sometimes caused distraction between the two that I'd like to prevent. 6) The important thing to do is generate ideas with large potential upside, test them cost effectively, and double down on the ones that work best. What are you inspired to test out for yourself? # How to create a greenhouse office For anyone interested in the materials/methods involved. ## Materials * [Greenhouse kit](https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/amerlife-14-w-x-95-d-learn-to-greenhouse-jcis1008.html) has tons of plastic packaging which I regret. Still less wasteful than building a full size greenhouse first that isn't the right fit and doesn't get used much. I won't be using a kit now that I know how to make better versions but they are a great place to start. ![[greenhouse-trash.png]] * Silicone sealant for seams * Foundation: Stained cedar bolted to concrete piers. House anchoring bolts are overkill but only cost a couple dollars. * Floor: pea gravel on half and cedar flooring for the office so I can use my rolling office chair. * Stain: wood must be stained to last. I chose Brazilian rosewood stain for enhanced mold resistance. * Plants: My reading of the research is the quantity of plants matters more than specifics. Some do have neat perks like enhanced pollution filtering, however I think that resilient low maintenance plants that grow/reproduce easily is more important. Beyond that I mixed in plants mainly based on what makes me happy. Purchasing something for a couple of dollars that regularly increases my happiness to 8+/10 and actually grows more of itself is an incredible deal! * Snake plant: only needs water every 1-2 weeks, great toxin filtering [according to NASA](https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19930073077/downloads/19930073077.pdf) * Spider plant: hardy, fast growing, one has reproduced into four. Also tested by NASA for toxin filtering. * Majesty palm: selected for aesthetic, being 5+ ft tall which fits my greenhouse well, and providing bountiful greenery. Often sparks happiness in people on video calls with me.![[PXL_20241223_223444113.MP.jpg]] * Pitcher plant: this carnivorous plant keeps insects to a minimum.![[PXL_20241224_053110827.MP.jpg]] * Tillandsia xerographica fascinates me. Has no roots, survives on sun, water, and nutrients in water yet can grow to over 3 feet!![[PXL_20241223_223356972.MP.jpg]] * Money tree looks nice and grows quickly while fitting on my desk nicely.![[PXL_20241223_223313581.MP.jpg]] * Tomatoes grow great in a greenhouse and it's quite amusing to be eating fresh ones on Christmas!![[PXL_20241223_223200092.MP.jpg]] * Temperature control * [Shade cloth](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BJDSL82G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1) + [mounting clips](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NGCGLQL) covers the south facing roof, keeps the temperature moderate even in intense sun. Comes off in winter as sun gets weaker. * 55 gallon metal barrels filled with water. Act like giant thermal batteries absorbing extra heat during the day and radiating it out at night. Keeps the minimum temperature about 8 F warmer. Maximum temperature appears a couple degrees lower too. Found locally on facebook marketplace. The food grade ones are worth a few dollars extra to be free of toxic chemicals often stored in barrels. I covered mine in a cedar table so they are more useful and look better.![[PXL_20241223_223128207.MP.jpg]] * [Aquarium heater](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09H4JBC3H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1): dropped in one of the barrels during the colder months to supplement heat on days without sun. Required a circulation pump to get heat distributed optimally. * [Infrared heat lamps](https://rubyluxlights.com/collections/light-therapy-bulbs-us-canada-only/products/rubylux-nir-a-near-infrared-bulb-grade-b): the main source of heat I prefer in the winter, they're more efficient because they heat surfaces directly more than the air so it feels many degrees warmer than the air temperature. Also mimics the health benefits of the sun via near infrared light which can increase energy production and speed up healing. ![[PXL_20241223_222844514.MP.jpg]] * Automatic window openers: temperatures can exceed 100F on sunny days if the windows are shut, automatic opening prevents this. * [Electric heater](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B1DC7JYD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1): targeted warming of desk in the early morning before the sun adds enough warmth. * [Temperature monitoring](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C7FHR68M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) with smart features to automatically turn heat on if too cold or turn off when too hot. Activate the dehumidifier if humidity gets too high. * [Dehumidifier](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BVZ62Y3M) to keep humidity in check which is essential in the Pacific NW climate for preventing everything from being coated in moisture and then mold. * Automatic watering: keeps plants happy even when not there.![[PXL_20241223_222908669.MP.jpg]] * [Automatic timer switches](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091FXLMS8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1): turn the desk on in the morning, lights off in the evening, heater on, dehumidifier, etc. Basically the entire greenhouse runs on them. * Lighting: keeps a bright cheery environment even on gray days and early mornings/evenings. The LED skylight is held above my desk by the same VESA mounts that hold monitors.![[PXL_20241223_223232697.MP.jpg]] * Treadmill desk pad: one of the biggest issues with offices is the lack of movement. I'm quite happy having one of these under my desk. Easy to move out of the way when not in use.![[PXL_20241223_223247044.MP.jpg]]