CREATING INCLUSIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE

A NEW WORKPLACE FOR ORRICK’S LOS ANGELES OFFICE WHERE EVERYONE CAN SEE THEMSELVES AND OTHERS.

The reception area at Orrick LA establishes an ambiance of professionalism and hospitality, effectively presenting and embodying the brand.

Orrick’s goal is to be the most inclusive law firm in the industry, and for their LA office, and they’ve created a space where everyone belongs. The Unispace team was tasked with developing a new space that reflects Orrick’s culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusion.

DESIGN THAT CREATES A HEALTHY AND DIVERSE OFFICE CULTURE

Orrick wanted their new LA office to be a manifestation of their existing culture, centered around:

• Collaboration in a meaningful way for Orrick’s 100+ staff, where offices are organized around suites of collaboration spaces that support true learning and mentoring vs. learning in the partners’ office doorway.

The office entrance includes inviting common areas, such as lounge spaces and informal meeting spots.

• Innovation that meshes knowledge gained via staff feedback, at all levels, who worked virtually for 2+ years to create highly functional and tech-enabled hybrid spaces.

• Inclusion through universal design principles that create equitable office sizes for all attorneys; with a lack of hierarchy (i.e., no corner offices), access to natural light in all spaces, and accessibility features ranging from braille signage to gender neutral bathrooms.

• Community Impact enhanced by Orrick’s Social Justice Fellowship that partners with organizations like A New Way of Life (ANWOL) and artists like Robert Vargas to truly walk the talk on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).

• Sustainability through achieving LEED GOLD and pursuing WELL certification to support Orrick’s global carbon neutral goals.

With picturesque views, the kitchen offers a tranquil setting that encourages employee interactions throughout the day, fostering a sense of connection.

Additional comfy seating areas enable employees to work in a setting that best supports their productivity and comfort.

A TRUE PARTNERSHIP APPROACH ACHIEVED ORRICK’S VISION

Starting with strategy, Unispace centered the space around how Orrick’s staff would function in a truly hybrid environment, with all the technology and spaces to support a 21st century law practice. Unispace also worked with Orrick to help them grow their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) goals, which ultimately translated into the Art for Impact program that they launched in their LA space and are now implementing in other locations.

THE DESIGN CREATES AN ART-FILLED SPACE THAT IS INHERENTLY INCLUSIVE WITH COLLABORATION TECHNOLOGY IN EVERY ROOM, AND MULTI-USE ACCESSIBLE SPACES FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE DIFFERENTLY ABLED, INCLUDING WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY (HEIGHT OF FIXTURES, APPLIANCES, ETC.), SIGHT IMPAIRED (BRAILLE), AND NEURODIVERSITY (QUIET SPACES, DIFFERENT COLOURS IN ROOMS, ETC.).

The office is equipped with modern infrastructure to support seamless communication and effective remote collaboration with colleagues and clients.

A range of workspaces empowers employees to select the ideal environment that suits their preferences.

The office is equipped with modern technology tools and infrastructure to support collaboration and productivity.

Vibrant and meaningful murals created by Robert Vargas via the Art for Impact program are displayed all over the office.

The office design maximizes natural lighting by incorporating large windows bringing elements of nature indoors.

With this approach, the design creates an art-filled space that is inherently inclusive with collaboration technology in every room, and multi-use accessible spaces for people that are differently abled, including wheelchair accessibility (height of fixtures, appliances, etc.), sight impaired (braille), and neurodiversity (quiet spaces, different colours in rooms, etc.).

Unispace’s delivery team was engaged from day one and was able to navigate complex supply chain and pandemic challenges. The success of this project has led to other work across their portfolio.

AN INSPIRING AND HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL SPACE THAT DIVERGES FROM THE TYPICAL LAW FIRM

Dedicated collaborative zones are strategically placed throughout the office to encourage teamwork, idea sharing, and creative problem-solving.

By incorporating single-size offices, new ideas like micro-offices, new community work areas, and embracing hoteling to reflect the new hybrid work style, Orrick was able to reduce its footprint by approximately 60%. The two murals by Robert Vargas totalling over 35 feet coupled with the overall community engagement story of the Art for Impact project has had a deep impact on staff, visitors, and clients. This office carries a statement for other law firms in the industry and creates a benchmark and message to them: you need to walk the talk to compete in the future.

The Orrick LA kitchen space provides a friendly environment with scenic views to facilitate interactions among employees throughout the day.