Transforming heritage into innovation
Daniel Charles Group partnered with APSS to transform a historic Lincolnshire barn into a modern headquarters that combines office and warehouse facilities. The project delivers a futureproof workspace that blends traditional architecture with contemporary design, creating an environment that supports collaboration, sustainability, and long-term growth.
This project is significant not only for its technical and design achievements but also for its contribution to the local Lincolnshire community, showcasing how well local businesses can work together to deliver a nationally recognised scheme.
Ready to transform your office environment? Let's get started.
Revitalise Your Workspace
A well-designed office space has an impact on productivity, morale and office culture. It can be the difference between attracting the great staff your business needs to thrive or them leaving because they have found a better environment elsewhere. As specialists in office refurbishments, APSS guides you through the process, transforming your existing workspace into a modern, efficient and inspiring environment.
The Brief
The ambition behind this development was to create a headquarters that would serve as the central hub for a growing business while preserving the character of its rural setting. Daniel Charles Group required a space that could accommodate 40 office based staff with flexibility for expansion, alongside a warehouse facility to streamline operations. The design needed to unite the original stone barn with a striking new extension, ensuring the two structures felt connected and cohesive.
Beyond functionality, the brief emphasised creating an inspiring environment that promotes staff well-being and collaboration. Communal spaces were key, including a kitchen linking the barn and extension, a landscaped courtyard, and a future gym area. Sustainability was a core priority, with a commitment to energy efficiency, locally sourced materials, and innovative reuse of resources. APSS was tasked with delivering a full turnkey solution, from concept design through to fit out, while ensuring the headquarters embodied Daniel Charles’ values of teamwork, responsibility, and tenacity.
We absolutely love our new office building! The space is brighter, modern, and really comfortable. The atmosphere here is positive, everyone seems more motivated and engaged. It’s amazing how much the environment can boost both productivity and morale. We're genuinely excited to come to work everyday!
Daniel Charles Group
The Challenge
The project presented a unique set of challenges. Integrating a modern glazed extension with an old barn required a sensitive approach to design and construction, ensuring building regulations were met while offering a bold, contemporary interior.
The layout had to connect two distinct structures in a way that felt seamless for staff, fostering collaboration without compromising privacy or functionality.
Sustainability targets added complexity, demanding creative solutions such as sourcing natural stone from Daniel Charles’ own quarry and incorporating recycled materials into the design. Bespoke features, including a Mitsubishi designed ventilation system and a reception desk crafted from an upcycled digger bucket, required precision engineering and close coordination between teams. All of this had to be achieved within a strict budget and timeline, without sacrificing quality or design ambition.
The Result
The completed headquarters is a striking example of heritage and innovation working in harmony. From the roadside, the development appears modest and in keeping with its surroundings, but as visitors enter the site, they are greeted by a stunning glazed frontage that floods the interior with natural light and frames views of the landscaped approach. Inside, the design celebrates openness and connectivity, with a communal kitchen linking the barn and extension, a glass-fronted boardroom positioned to capture sunset views, and a courtyard that serves as a focal point for staff and visitors alike.
Sustainability is embedded throughout the scheme. Locally sourced stone and British made furniture reduce environmental impact, while 23 kilowatt solar panels and LED lighting deliver energy efficiency. EV charging points encourage greener travel, and recycled materials feature prominently, from carpets to bespoke joinery. The interiors adopt a resimercial approach, blending homely comfort with professional functionality, incorporating biophilic elements and flexible furniture to support well-being and productivity.
Delivered on time and within budget, the headquarters now stands as one of Lincolnshire’s most distinctive office developments. For Daniel Charles Group, this is not just a building; it is a futureproof home for their growing business and a blueprint for sustainable development.
