Current trends in office design shifted how employees inhabit their workspaces. Law firm design is undergoing a renaissance to better accommodate technology and space efficiency. OTJ’s experience and understanding of these factors enable us to create a design which optimizes your existing space or develops an innovative, functional design for your shell space. Areas to focus on include:

 

 

Functional adjacencies should be incorporated into a good law office design to facilitate communication. Careful planning for the proper placement of partner and associate offices, assistants and paralegals, and filing/workrooms is vital.

 

 

Filing space is a paramount issue for law firms because hard-copy accessibility of their documents is still a requirement. Fixed and/or Compact systems are utilized depending upon space and budget. Current filing system modules maximize organizational function while minimizing space usage. Structural reinforcing requirements also need to be evaluated to ensure the building meets the appropriate loading restrictions.

 

 

Some law firms choose to have their space designed to appeal to a specific client base. The appearance should reflect the firm’s expertise without being so closely affiliated with one market segment that it loses business in other market segments. The overall environment of the firm’s office portrays a strong message to clients.

 

 

Law firm design entails creating an immediate impression of the firm’s image and brand. Creating a compelling first impression is vital to help clients feel more comfortable. Reception areas are now being designed to be less imposing and incorporate less traditional and more transitional and contemporary furnishings. Other features include elegant, simplified detailing using color and material variety combined with the use of improved direct and indirect lighting and natural light penetrating the space.

 

 

Law firms have shifted toward incorporating an array of conference/meeting rooms into their space. There may be traditional law conference rooms in varying sizes (Large: 30-40 people, Medium: 12-20 people, Small: 4-10 people), or “Huddle Rooms” (4-6 people) for breakout and mini-conferencing or “War Rooms” used for collating and reviewing case materials. Consolidating meeting spaces to have multiple purposes can help with space issues and can be divided to appropriately meet the needs of the firm (ex: appropriately sizing conference and meeting areas, creating flexible training spaces, etc.)

 

 

Most law firms are looking for ways to decrease paper-intensive operations. High-speed copies are allowing documents to be filed electronically, allowing for minimized file space. Virtual law libraries can store legal files in digital formats and are accessible by computers.  Implementing electronic information archival systems reduce the need for physical storage space. 

 

 

Video Teleconferencing is now standard for most law practices. Dedicated conference rooms and most major rooms have incorporated this capability. Concealed projection equipment for presentations and fully-wired conference tables for power and data access are essentials in law firm workplace design.

 

When selecting an architecture firm, it is essential that they examine how the law firm works, their organizational structure, and their firm’s culture. Not all law firms are the same. Gaining a better understanding of the firm will help the architect determine which factors will have the most impact and where the most attention should be directed. 

 

OTJ Architects has worked with more than 40 law firms including Banner & Witcoff, LTD., a Bronze International Interior Design Award winner, and Wallace King Domike & Reiskin. At OTJ Architects, we listen to our clients to understand their needs and then translate them into an effective design. Our programming approach includes understanding your goals from a quantitative and qualitative point of view. We’ve formed a programming and space planning questionnaire to ensure that all our client’s needs are met. At OTJ, we’ve learned that asking the right questions and having an open stream of communication guarantees a project’s success.  

 

OTJ Architects is an award-winning architectural firm with approximately 20 years of experience specializing in law office design. We are dedicated to meeting all of our client’s standards and have a proven track record for working within budget and schedule. Attorney at Banner & Witcoff, LTD, Ross Dannenberg, states “We got the impression that OTJ would be a fun group to work with. I have really enjoyed working with them. I would recommend OTJ in a heartbeat.”

 

Contact OTJ today for a brief and informative consultation with one of our architects, and ensure your law firm design improves your workflow while capturing your personality.