Redefining the workspace.

Given the right environment, creativity thrives. So when it was time to renovate our studio, we knew it needed to be somewhere that would feed, inspire, and motivate. It was time to challenge the corporate workspace and lean into something warmer, homelier, and a whole lot more inspiring. 

The idea was to create a home away from home. Somewhere that sparks creativity, nurtures collaboration, and makes Mondays something we can actually look forward to. So we took everything we’ve learned about fueling creativity and paired this with insights from psychological research. The result is 5 Claremont Bank. This is redefining the workspace.

The why of the workplace

Through pandemics and the growth of working from home, our team has already proven that we can do great work away from the studio. This got us thinking. What’s the real purpose of an office in 2025? 

We wanted this space to become the very embodiment of our values and culture. Our studio needed to be more than four walls and a collection of desks and computers. It was to become the heartbeat of our business, the core of our community, and an engine for productivity and collaboration.

For us, this was all about culture, community, productivity, and collaboration. Somewhere that would allow our teams to reveal their talents while filling them with a sense of pride to be part of The Curious. So we needed to go beyond aesthetics and look at the actual science behind feeding our values.

The role of happiness

We discovered that the answer to our why was simple: happiness. One survey found that when someone likes their office space, it can boost happiness by a third. Meanwhile, Oxford University found that happier workers are 13% more productive.

Then there was working from home to consider. As of December 2024, 40% of people do hybrid or remote working in the UK, while other studies have found that this structure actually improves job satisfaction and retention rates. 

We were already offering flexible working hours, giving our team that all-important work-life balance. But if people are happier working from home, what would happen if we made the studio feel more like that?

And according to the research, this is something clients would benefit from, too. The nicer we perceive a room to be, the more likely it is that a meeting will be productive, further emphasising just how important our indoor environment is to the work that we do.

Home away from home

So the goal when designing the studio was simple. This was to be a home away from home. A place that invites collaboration, nurtures creativity, and welcomes anyone who steps inside. A place people want to be.

But everyone’s idea of home is a little different, so we’ve gone with neutral decor punctuated by personal touches throughout. Plants, artwork, coffee that perks you up. It’s all the little things like soft lighting, natural textures, and the aroma of freshly ground beans that create an environment people want to spend time in.

A sense of belonging

Every element of the design comes together to create a space that embodies our culture. A space that celebrates the power of togetherness. From open collaborative zones that invite dialogue to breakaway spaces perfect for focused work, each corner was designed with intention. We’ve also integrated areas for socialising, like the terrace and the kitchen island, because there’s nothing like a good laugh to bring the team together or a spontaneous coffee chat to inspire.

And of course, the psychological research backs this up. Spaces that encourage social interaction foster a sense of belonging, which in turn boosts job satisfaction and team loyalty. We want every team member to feel like they belong here, that they’re valued, and that their contributions matter. Our studio isn’t just a workspace, it’s a statement of what we believe in: collaboration, creativity, and community. When you walk inside, you can feel the culture that makes us, us.

There’s something powerful about walking into a space and feeling proud to be part of it. And that’s what makes our renovated studio more than just an office. This space is a reflection of who we are as a team. It’s warm, it’s inviting, and it’s brimming with personality. From the moment you step inside, you know this is a place where great things happen.

Want more details? Here’s how we did it and what our team thinks.

• Natural light

We began with the structure. Being a period townhouse property, the rooms were spacious with high ceilings and large windows, but lacked natural lighting. The east-facing rooms only got the early morning sun, while the west-facing side got it in the late afternoon. 

The solution was to knock through, opening up each floor so that sunlight could flood through from either side throughout the day. Downstairs, we also added skylights to the kitchen and a wall of glazing to the entryway, transforming it into a light, airy, and welcoming space.

“It’s so open, airy and clean, just a great space to focus. Really love the whole look and feel. It feels more like us.“

• Warm tones

As for the interior, we kept to warm, earthy tones that further accentuated the natural light. Down in the cellar, we embraced the darkness with a cosier vibe and darker paint. Throughout, we used LICK and Little Greene Paint, which are eco-friendly and health-conscious options.

This was combined with natural materials, with wooden flooring on every level and oak detailing in the kitchen. Accentuated by soft lighting fixtures, this gave us a warm and inviting blank canvas to put our stamp on.

“The vibe, decor and surrounding area are great. I feel proud to work in such a beautiful space with a great group of people.”

• Collaborative spaces

While restructuring, we considered how the space is going to actually be used. Large, open-plan rooms lend themselves freely to collaboration, while smaller spaces are perfect for focused thinking and smaller teams. And with three dedicated meeting areas, we can offer clients greater flexibility to meet around their schedules.

But it’s about more than just the work. The kitchen-diner has that homely feel, with an island that welcomes passersby to stop and drop in on spontaneous catch-ups. This is a space that inspires, builds friendships, and nurtures that all-important sense of belonging.

“I like that there’s a lot more room in general, especially regarding places where meetings and calls can happen. It’s also nice having a more dedicated social area that feels more separated from the desks.”

• Biophilic design

When it came to the soft touches, we knew we needed to go natural. The research shows that biophilic design can lead to boosts of 15% in wellbeing, 6% in productivity, and 15% in creativity, as well as reduced stress, better cognitive functioning, and improved employee engagement, retention, and productivity. 

With this in mind, we’ve added a mixture of real and faux plants, as well as vases of dried stems. These all tie in with the earthy paint tones, wooden accents, marble worktops, and natural textures used throughout, emphasising the natural atmosphere.

And as well as being a stone’s throw from the Quarry, we decided to further maximise this connection to nature with an outdoor space. The kitchen skylight now opens up to reveal a terrace where we can go to just take a breath and enjoy the British summer while it’s here.

“The cleanliness, it feels relaxing, almost spa-like? Very zen.”

• Team wellbeing

Offices naturally lend themselves to sedentary behaviour, so we designed ours with an onsite gym. We all know that exercise is good for us, both physically and mentally, and it’s a great way to help up the energy levels and reduce stress. This way, our team can get those endorphins flowing without compromising their work-life balance by helping streamline their day.

On top of this, there’s a fully equipped shower room, an outdoor roof terrace, and a cinematic TV room for breaks. The fully furnished kitchen means we can take proper lunch breaks, and we’re in such close proximity to The Quarry that we can easily go for a stroll to clear our minds and refocus.

“Seeing people use and enjoy the space. Love using the gym before work too! And how it gives our clients confidence in what we offer.”

The result

Since the renovation, we’ve noticed a shift. Conversations flow more freely. Ideas come faster. Work feels more purposeful. And clients? Meetings seem more productive, inspired, and a true collaboration.

Intrigued to find out what the rest of the team thought, we sent out an anonymous questionnaire to see how they’re settling in. 91% agreed that they feel happier in the new space and that it promotes better collaboration with clients and positive well-being. 96% feel they are either more or equally productive compared to at home, and that the space inspires a sense of pride or motivation in their work. As for productivity, 88% feel more productive in the new space compared to the old studio.

Best of all, almost three-quarters agreed that they would rather work here than at home, which is exactly what we had hoped for. To create a space where people want to be.

So there you have it, this is our new Shrewsbury studio. We’ve reimagined it into a space that feels inspiring but not intimidating, professional but not pretentious. It’s a place where ideas flow freely, conversations spark innovations, and every team member feels proud to be part of something bigger.