SOM’s approach to a U.S. law firm’s new London office was to create a space that makes a powerful impression with clients and potential employees. The office, located in the iconic Gherkin building on St. Mary Axe, required the application of a unique palette, highly customized spatial plans, and built-in flexibility to compensate for a long-term lease.
SOM was asked to create a flexible and highly functional conference center for the law firm’s Manhattan office in the Citigroup Center (now referred to as 601 Lexington Avenue). The conference center was to occupy the tower’s 50th floor, offering remarkable 360-degree views of the city.
SOM created a modern environment that relates to the firm’s office floors but has its own distinct character. The program includes 12 conference rooms, a full-service pantry, an elegant reception area, and ample space for administrative functions. The reception area doubles as a business center for traveling professionals, with informal meeting areas and touchdown desks with integrated equipment. The conference center also contains an expansive multipurpose room that can be used for training sessions, partner lunches, and formal events. This versatile space can be divided by partitions or be joined with two corner conference rooms.
Informed by SOM’s long-term relationship with Kirkland & Ellis, the design of their Chicago office seeks to evolve with the firm over future decades. The project included strategic planning, real estate strategy development, sustainable design, and interior design for the firm’s relocation into 25 floors of a high-rise along the Chicago River.
The logic of fiscal and environmental longevity, exceptional performance, and adaptability guided every design decision, from base building definition to materials selection. Specially designed furnishings anticipate changes in workplace technologies and work processes by supporting constant reconfiguration.
A two-story conference center, located within the heart of the office, takes full advantage of open, unobstructed riverfront views, while a terrace provides a unique location for events. Pivoting doors allow rooms to open into one another, creating spaces that can accommodate both large group sessions and smaller breakaway discussions. A light sculpture by Spencer Finch illuminates the reception area, and a series of interactive sculptures by Richard Hunt and Corrine Peterson draws visitors and employees onto the terrace.
Located within a LEED® CS building, the firm has also earned LEED® Silver for Commercial Interiors, making this the largest sustainable interior office space in Chicago.
