04/09/2024
It’s not every day we get to work in a place that is steeped in a chapter of world-changing history.
We stepped behind the scenes at Darwin House, Shrewsbury, the birthplace of Charles Darwin and his family home until the age of 30, the place that ignited his love of the natural world and set him on a path to completely rewrite science with his theory of evolution.
Darwin House is being renovated as a visitor centre and offices. Fluid was called in by one of three businesses that call Darwin House their base, bringing our non-intrusive, digital telecommunications technology to this impressive historic building. And we got a sneak peek behind the scenes.
The 14-bedroom Georgian mansion, originally called The Mount, was built in 1798 for Charles’ father, the wealthy doctor and financer Robert Darwin. It stood in seven acres of beautiful landscaped gardens which became a living science lab for the young Darwin. Here he first learned to observe, monitor and document the natural world.
The Mount was the home of the Darwin family for 70 years. It ceased to be a dwelling in 1922. For nearly 100 years it was used as government offices and much of its internal features were boarded up.
But behind the majestic exterior you can still see glimpses of how luxurious this house was during Darwin’s time, from the grand floating staircase in the entrance hall to the classical columns in the old morning room which now forms part of the offices of our client Fast Amps.
Fast Amps make EV chargers, and they’re on a mission to become a brand leader in the electric vehicle charging industry, all based in Darwin’s former morning room and library!
The gardens, that once inspired Darwin, still inspire today. Jewellery designer and maker Linda Shiels, of Feretia, has her stunning studio on the first floor of Darwin House. Here she draws on nature, the gardens and Darwin’s story to inspire collections of her beautiful jewellery.
It has been a privilege to supply our services to Darwin House. If you get a chance to go on an organised tour of the building, it’s well worth a visit. You really get the sense of just how important this place was in shaping the mind of Charles Darwin. Mind blowing stuff!
