A New Generation of Legal Office by SCB Design

— A New Generation of Legal Office

Solomon Cordwell Buenz

Design for a changing world. Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) is an architecture, interior design, and planning firm with a thoughtful design vision and a dynamic national imprint. Since 1931, SCB has made a lasting visual impact on skylines, campuses, and neighborhoods nationwide. From offices in Chicago and San Francisco, we offer our expertise to clients across the country, helping them achieve their goals, serve their constituents, and create unique built environments. Our approach is to ask questions, listen, and develop the best design solution for each individual project. We are future-oriented, continually challenging ourselves to design to a higher standard, innovate at every level, and give our clients more as we achieve design excellence.

Law Firm Expertise SCB has a long history of partnering with local and national law firms of varying sizes, scale, and legal areas of focus. Our expertise in this sector has taught us that the appropriate fit as a design service provider is to be consistent problem-solvers. We are able to apply our research and knowledge from one assignment to the next to help our clients understand the changing workplace environment, maximize their real estate investment through thoughtful design implementation, and realize the effect on their bottom line. Our portfolio includes more than 75 projects ranging in size from 5,000 square feet to 300,000 square feet across 30+ law firm clients. The following is a representative list of our law firm client roster. Baker & Hostetler

Gordon & Glickson

Peterson & Ross

Baker McKenzie

Grippo & Elden

Phelan, Cahill & Quinlan

Banner & Witcoff

Handler Thayer

Robinson Curley

Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg

Hinshaw & Culbertson

Sachnoff & Weaver

Johnson & Bell

Scariano Ellch Himes

Bell & Boyd

Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz

Schiller DuCanto & Fleck

Dinsmore & Shohl

Latham & Watkins

DLA Piper

Leydig Voit & Mayer

Drinker, Biddle & Reath

Meckler Bulger & Tilson

Figliulo & Silverman

Michael Best & Friedrich

Fisher Kanaris

Neal Gerber Eisenberg

Fox Swibel Levin & Carroll

Pedersen & Houpt

Barnes and Thornburg

Schopf & Weiss Schuyler, Roche & Crisham Shaheen, Novoselsky, Staat, Filipowski & Eccleston Skarzynski Marick & Black Tribler Orpett & Meyer

Law Firm Case Study

Hinshaw & Culbertson SCB’s relationship with Hinshaw & Culbertson spans over 15 years, having

Design Drivers

designed over 20 office locations for this national firm. SCB’s design concept for Hinshaw’s new Chicago office was to create a space that reflects the duality of Hinshaw’s identity as a law practice: an established firm with a contemporary sensibility.

Collaborative + Dynamic Work Setting

As the first of its offices to utilize single-sized offices, this project reflects a new era in planning for the firm. This change allows for greater efficiency throughout the space and creates flexibility to accommodate for the firm’s

Flexible Design + Future-Proofing

future growth. The interior design for the space capitalizes on the 360-degree views to the city and Lake Michigan. Each view from the floor-to-ceiling glass expanses are treated as large, dynamic pieces of art that constantly change throughout the day and year. In the client-facing areas of the office, a timeless palette of materials including marble, warm woods, and steel paired with contemporary furnishings evoke a sense of urban hospitality. Location

Chicago, IL

Size

121,300 RSF / 735 RSF per attorney

Private Offices

80% (universal-sized offices)

Workstations 20% Conference

1.4 seats per attorney

Admin

3.2 attorneys per assistant

Filing

6.8 drawers per attorney

Achieve Greater Space Efficiency

Law Firm Case Study

Design Driver

Collaborative + Dynamic Work Setting Workplace Solution A variety of conference rooms and informal meeting spaces support collaboration and idea-sharing.

Result Designed with a sophisticated mix of materials, these spaces encourage use by attorneys and clients.

Law Firm Case Study

Design Driver

Flexible Design + Future-Proofing Workplace Solution Internal case rooms are sized to be easily converted into associate offices.

Result As the firm experiences growth, these flexible spaces will offer a turnkey solution to accommodate additional head count.

Law Firm Case Study

Design Driver

Achieve Greater Space Efficiency Workplace Solution Efficient office planning along the perimeter of the office.

Result Total square feet per attorney reduced by 45%.

Law Firm Case Study

Michael Best & Friedrich SCB’s relationship with Michael Best & Friedrich began with the successful

Design Drivers

relocation of the firm’s new Chicago office, and has since grown to include projects in Washington, DC and the firm’s headquarters in Milwaukee, WI. Each project reflects a new approach to workplace planning for the firm including increased efficiency through universal-sized offices, the

Facilitate Interaction + Support Collaboration

introduction of hospitality-focused spaces for client entertaining, and strategies for flexibility and adaptability to accommodate future growth. SCB's design for the Chicago office creates a modern and sophisticated

Focus on People + Attract and Retain Talent

work environment that supports the firm's recognition as a top-tier and progressive law firm. Michael Best’s brand and core values center on its people, clients, and the communities in which they work; in response, SCB found innovative ways to incorporate these values in the new space. A culture wall located in the reception space celebrates each staff member and their contributions to the firm with a photograph. The reception features a coffee bar, greeting clients and guests from the moment they enter into the space. A timeless, wood-toned palette adds warmth to the space while contemporary fixtures and clean lines offer a subtle, modern contrast. Location

Chicago, IL

Size

26,250 RSF / 583 RSF per attorney

Private Offices

85% (universal-sized office)

Workstations 15% Conference

1.1 seats per attorney

Admin

4 attorneys per assistant

Filing

4 drawers per attorney

Achieve Greater Space Efficiency

Law Firm Case Study

Design Driver

Facilitate Interaction + Support Collaboration Workplace Solution A flexible multi-purpose room on a premier window-lined location serves as a cafe, informal collaboration area, and recreation space with opportunities for entertainment and fresh food offerings.

Result In a post-occupancy survey, 'collaborative' received the highest number of votes for the adjective that best describes the brand, identity, and culture of the firm as reflected in the new workplace.

Law Firm Case Study

Design Driver

Focus on People + Attract and Retain Talent Workplace Solution A culture wall displays photos of staff members and a coffee bar welcomes clients and guests, encouraging them to feel at home from the moment they enter the space.

Result Survey results show that 100% of employees are proud to show the office to visitors, suggesting a strong sense of pride in their new workplace.

Law Firm Case Study

Design Driver

Achieve Greater Space Efficiency Workplace Solution Implementation of a universal-sized office standard + elimination of underutilized space.

Result Total square feet per attorney reduced by 30%.

Design for a changing world. Architecture | Interior Design | Planning www.scb.com