Living Lab: Vetting the Future of Urban Abundance
The Experiment
The Living Lab is a real-world demonstration of how to maximize a standard residential footprint for productivity, ecology and spatial independence. It’s not a finished product showcase – it’s a working laboratory where we test, iterate and share what actually works in a dense urban environment.
Why we're Doing this
Most homeowners feel they have to choose: a workspace, a garden, or a peaceful yard. We’re proving that with intentional design, smart planning, and modular thinking, you can have all three – in less than 2,000 square feet.
But here’s the real reason: we’re learning. Every decision- from mulch color to bench placement to native plantings – teaches us something about sustainable living, spatial design, and what it takes to create a thriving backyard ecosystem. And we’re documenting it all so you can benefit from our wins and our mistakes.
The three Proof Points
The Capsule
Testing a detached 8'x16' high-performance workspace to prove professional productivity can thrive off-grid. Coming Soon - currently optimizing design and sourcing partnerships.
High-Yield Ecology
Maximizing food production and native biodiversity within an urban footprint to create a self-sustaining ecosystem. Measuring yield, water usage and biodiversity to prove the ROI of regenerative design.
Spatial Blueprint
Organizing 2,000 sq. ft. into dedicated zones: work (Capsule), meditation, food production, storage, green space and native plantings —demonstrating how every square foot serves a purpose.
Lab Log: Lessons Learned
Week 5 Update : April 20 - 27, 2026
Aesthetics Matter in Functional Design
We discovered that mulch color isn’t just cosmetic – it’s structural to how zones read visually. The brown mulch created too much visual noise against our framing and black elements. By transitioning to black top-dressing, we unified the zones and created visual clarity that emphasizes early spring growth. The lesson: in a small space, every design choice compounds.
What We’re Tracking:
- Garden yield & succession planting timeline
- Water usage & irrigation efficiency
- Soil health & biodiversity
- Energy production (solar lighting, future Capsule monitoring)
- Spatial productivity
Monthly Lab Reports
Every month, we share a detailed “Lab Report” with our biggest wins, spatial challenges, design decisions, and data so you can see what works before you build your own project.
Month 1: Infrastructure & Foundation
- Structural Stakeout: Defining the footprint for the Capsule
- Soil Preparation: Installation of weed barriers and initial garden bed framining
- Zone Definition: Metal and Wood Beds, Rear Garden, Enclosure, Capsule, Meditation Area
Month 2: Planting & Energy Baseline
Month 3
Get the Lab Reports
Subscribe to see real data, real learnings, and real progress.
Who This is For
- Homewoners in dense urban areas who want more from their backyard
- Early adopters interested in sustainable living and regenerative design
- Real Estate Investors exploring ADU and backyard offier opportunities
- Anyone curious about what’s possible whe you combine intentional design with ecological thinking
Follow the Journey
We’re documenting this in real time on :
- Instagram: Weekly updates, behind the scenes, design decisions.
- LinkedIn: Thought leadership, metrics and insights
- YouTube – Quick wins, garden progress, urban sustainability tips
What's Next?
The Capsule is coming. The garden is growing. The data is accumulating. And the story is just beginning.
See the transformation.