Serial entrepreneur Chris Morling has re-invested £3 million to create the ultimate workspace for his team as part of his mission to make Cirencester-based independent comparison website money.co.uk the best place to work in the South West.
Ice Room
The Victorian castle, which is headquarters for his growing team of 50, now offers a range of on-site luxuries such as a Star Wars-themed cinema complete with popcorn machine. The redesign incorporates a series of individually themed high-tech offices which run throughout the building as well as ‘Rolling Stones’ and ‘Steam Punk’ bathrooms. The money.co.uk team were asked for input on their ideal office before the designs for the revamp were created; their feedback guided the castle re-design, enabling MD Chris to create their perfect workspace.
Library before refurb
Library after refurb
Designed by Interaction, a Bath based design and build specialist, and locally based designer and TV personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen the 10,000 square foot castle is now fit for the kings and queens of tech. Each room has been developed with its own unique theme to keep staff engaged and energised with meeting rooms including an ice cave, ski lodge and library with a ‘secret passage’.
Board Room
Each room is fitted with the latest state-of-the-art technology to create optimised workspaces; this includes:
A 98 inch screen
30 x TV screens all linked to a HDMI matrix
52 x SONOS speakers
iPads in every room to control the SONOS speakers
In built video conferencing
A 7.2 surround sound system with HD projector and subwoofer built into tier seating
the latest customisable lighting
super-efficient advanced AC systems
The historic grade two listed Castle, which is a local landmark and part of the Bathurst Estate, has been sympathetically restored as part of the project. The building presented new challenges as the revamp unfolded, including the need to address severe damp issues throughout. It’s now preserved for future enjoyment – an important aim of the project.
