Within the iconic 100 Bishopsgate building, this leading law firm wanted to create a contemporary, welcoming working environment for a multifaceted team.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is a prestigious law firm known for exceptional performance, who came to us when moving from their former space in the NatWest Tower to a brand-new office at 100 Bishopsgate.
Already armed with an architectural layout, we set about refining the plans to make sure the result aligned with the company values, namely straddling the line between being one of the most powerful law firms globally and being a multifaceted working environment that genuinely caters to a diverse team.
A collaborative approach
Situated on the 34th floor, the space had floor-to-ceiling windows and exceptional views across London, which set the tone for the design concept with offices located around the perimeter so that the majority of the team enjoyed the natural light. It was important to Pillsbury that the team was asked for their input in the design of the space, ensuring that it met the needs of everyone from 'Pillsbury lifers' to mums returning to work, whilst delivering a fresh new look.
A social hub
A large meeting suite was central to the office, literally and metaphorically. In an environment that, out of necessity for the type of work they do, was populated by lots of individual offices, with only 18 people working in the open floor, the meeting suite featured fully flexible walls, doubling up as a social and event space that brings people together.
This social space was purposely located so that when you come into the office via a tea point and coffee station, you're automatically given the opportunity for spontaneous conversations. There's a large island for events and to act as a social anchor, as well as lots of different furniture types from booth seating to a large, statement table to gather around or work at. There's even a separate catering pantry for serving front of house meetings.
The tea point and reception area follow the same minimalist language as one another, complete with timber details to create connectivity and a sprinkle of colour in the tiles and teal sprayed services to delineate it from other parts of the office.
Sophisticated sustainability
Sustainability was important to the firm, and every material chosen has a sustainability story. We stuck to natural materials wherever possible, including real timber floors, marble and stone, FSC accredited timber in construction and carpets made from recycled content. This also had the side effect of contributing to the high end finish we were working towards, to suit the credentials and reputation of Pillsbury.
Calm and contemporary
Aesthetically the space is all about clean lines and a fresh feel. The building itself is exceptionally beautiful, so we bought some of the exterior language inside with ceiling features that reflect the shapes in the glass facade. White is the dominant colour, but we added warmth with wooden details in smoked oak, and we reused furniture from the previous office including immaculate quality leather chairs. To add colour in the social spaces we featured large pieces of artwork from a variety of artists, in keeping with the firm's commitment to diversity.
