Legal case book by Dawn Ratcliffe

HALLIWELLS LLP, MANCHESTER

Welcome

to our first Legal Workspace feature.

Short-term lease due to expire? Re-sizing or re-organising your workforce? Staff morale and productivity taken a downturn? Need to work harder to retain and attract clients? Having worked closely with our legal clients over the past 30 years, at Claremont Group Interiors, we understand the potential challenges that the legal workspace faces within the current climate. Investment in your workspace, whether in good times or bad, remains equally as important to business success. Claremont Group Interiors can assist you with all your legal workspace requirements, including: • • • • • • •

Workplace Analysis, Consultancy & Space Planning Interior Design Interior Contracting (Fit-out & Refurbishment) Contract Management Furniture Relocation, Move and Churn Management Audiovisual & Multimedia Solutions

Claremont’s turnkey service offers a single, one-stop procurement route for all your interior workspace needs – offering you vital time and cost savings and freeing up your management team to concentrate on retaining and winning business. To find out how we can help you make your legal workspace work more effectively and to discuss your requirements further, contact us on 01925 284 000, or email us at enquiries@claremontgi.com. Yours

Ann Clarke Group Director ann.clarke@claremontgi.com

Contents 6 10 14 16

Beachcroft Halliwells Shoosmiths Bevan Brittan

Inspiring spaces

village green

Inspiring spaces

to vibrant host desking

Case Study

Beachcroft LLP Bristol, 90,000 sq ft

The concept of linking spaces and bringing people together was based on Mondrian’s painting ‘Broadway Boogie Woogie’. The painting links spaces together with clear routes and blocks of colour and this was represented via the implementation of strong colours in the floor and wall finishes. The focal point of the office at the base of the atrium is the ‘village green’, an open space designed to encourage interaction between all who use the building, including clients and visitors.

Designed using an appropriately branded and rural-influenced colour palette with subtly organic shapes and intelligent planting, the village green is a perfect meeting and break-out space next to the main open plan areas and library. From the entrance there is a clear journey to guide the staff up and through the building via the café/ deli area, private harbours and through to the village green. The positioning of the key elements of the design were developed to ensure that as people pass through the space, interaction between teams would naturally increase

“We operate in an incredibly competitive market for both clients and talent, so it was essential that the new offices reflect our position as one of the leading commercial law firms in the U.K. We’re delighted with the results which have put down a bold marker for us as a business and which we believe are amongst the best offices not just in the U.K but also in Europe.” Patrick Firebrace Assistant Finance Director - Beachcroft

Location: Portwall House, Bristol Project Size: 90,000 sq ft Programme: 28 weeks Scope of Works Consultancy > Design > Furniture

Inspiring spaces

bold greetings...

Inspiring spaces

to subtle first meetings

Case Study

Halliwells

Case Study

Spinningfields, Manchester, 180,000 sq ft Working with a range of manufacturers, including Dauphin, Vitra, K&N and Orangebox, Claremont supplied a comprehensive furniture package which successfully met the aesthetic, functional and budgetary needs of the client. Floors two to seven include training suites, meeting rooms, break-out spaces and touch-down points, each supported by a wide range of storage options. In each area there are six levels of storage, including coat storage, adjustable shelving for taking lever arch or A4 files, general filing storage (shelf over desk + storage wall units) and personal lockers. Venture up one floor and you are in the client suite, fronted by a dedicated reception and surrounded by views of Manchester’s rooftops.

The striking physical environment is underpinned by impressive audiovisual and multimedia infrastructure—all supplied by Claremont’s ‘Viewpoint’ division. The finished workspace not only provides eight levels of efficient and productive space, but also an environment which, through quality, style and simplicity, echoes the spirit and strength of the company’s investment. Aesthetically, the furniture package offered by Claremont gives way to an office which is exciting and stylised but not imposing. Quality, functionality and longevity were all key elements of the package. At every level, each floor projects a fresh, refined and successful image.

As well as the boardroom there are two seminar rooms, seventeen smaller meeting rooms, and a 90-seat café and lounge.

“We are delighted to have worked with Claremont on our impressive new building. Their positive and committed approach coupled with their ability to provide a high level of service made them the ideal partner in the provision of our first class working environment.” Ian Austin Managing Partner, Halliwells LLP

Location: Spinningfields, Manchester Project Size: 180,000 sq ft Project Value: 2.1M Scope of Works Consultancy > Furniture > Audiovisual

Legal case studies

from boardroom...

Legal case studies

to break out

Case Study

Shoosmiths LLP Nottingham, 31,500 sq ft The brief was to provide a smart, healthy and modern working environment for the company’s employees. In response to Shoosmiths’ integral belief in achieving a strong company culture by driving brand values through everything they do both internally and externally, it was critically important for Claremont to provide the same consistently high standard of client meeting facilities and brand experience as had been previously delivered.

The agreed design not only continued the corporate standard but also incorporated a sense of individuality by carefully highlighting the Nottingham team’s own client base and corporate history. The bespoke design included a new client suite to the top floor, seminar room with full presentation and AV equipment, a staff café area, new furniture throughout the open plan area, comms room, and a post and facilities area; all carefully pulled together via the implementation of a vibrant branding scheme throughout.

“Shoosmiths lives its brand values, with clients and employees fully conversant with our culture and services which are an inherent part of the brand. Shoosmiths believes it is imperative that their fit out consultants fully understand these values and services and become part of the partnership in delivering projects on time and to budget. We are extremely delighted with our joint latest successful project.” Carol Light, Firm-wide Facilities Manager - Shoosmiths

Location: Waterfront Plaza, Nottingham Project Size: 31,500 sq ft Programme: 12 weeks Scope of Works Consultancy > Design > Contracting

Case Study

Bevan Brittan LLP Bristol, 69,703 sq ft

In considering how the building would function for staff, Claremont identified that the current ‘C’ shaped building would result in teams being isolated from one another at the ends of such large floor plates, potentially resulting in isolated departments, and that the building would benefit from the development of a cohesive ‘sense of purpose’ across the 6 storeys. Claremont’s solution was to add a building extension which would complete the circuit, effectively infilling the ‘C’ plate and creating a ground floor atrium visually linking all storeys. This link would be further enhanced by providing open floor plates throughout the building, with circulation space adjacent to the atrium. We also felt that it was essential to provide a quicker circulation route from one side of the office to the other and between floors, to physically and visually link teams and the firm as a whole. As a result, we proposed moving the lifts from the outskirts of the building to the centre of the atrium with glass lifts and flying ‘gantries’ connecting the floors. This solution also ensures that the atrium and circulation spaces are constantly busy, with individuals visible throughout the building, adding feelings of dynamism and connectivity. The design proposal was well received by the client and the architect, for meeting peoples’ needs and creating a strong building hub.

“We are delighted with our new office environment. Within Bevan Brittan we recognised the importance of giving Claremont access to us as an executive team and they spent time capturing the essence of us as an organisation, our operational requirements, culture vision and brand” Stuart Whitfield CEO Bevan Brittan New space planning principles and workstation standards were adopted for the working floors with legal teams and support staff clustered around collaborative browserie height storage units to assist in communication and mentoring. A balance between local and team storage has been established to ensure quick response to clients, but also file accessibility and traceability for teams.

Location: King’s Orchard, Bristol Project Size: 69,703 sq ft over 6 floors Project Value: £14.5m Scope of Works Design > Contracting > Furniture > Audiovisual

Claremont Group Interiors Tel +44 (1925) 284000 Visit www.claremontgi.com Email enquiries@claremontgi.com