Cooke, Young and Keidan LLP

We created a workspace that reflected confidence and efficiency

Cooke, Young & Keidan is a leading boutique firm of commercial disputes lawyers working for international and UK businesses and individuals.

Having recently established their new brand identity, the team wanted to create an elegant new workspace in line with the confidence and efficiency that has become known of their firm. Working alongside Lorenc Design Associates we created a working environment with the same principles of innovation, tenacity and strategy expressed in the firm’s new brand identity.

An impressive reception area gives a strong impression.

Visitors entering through reception are met with strong branding cues, an open style reception desk reflective of the company’s open and close team culture and suite of elegant meeting rooms with an array of room typologies, some for more intimate client meetings, as well as a 16 person boardroom.

Just adjacent to this is a series of additional meeting rooms, each connected by folding doors and with furniture options that allow the spaces to be configured for a number of different functions, including collaborative case work, training, lectures and conferences. This front of house area is complete with a refreshment tea point, allowing the space to be easily converted into an area capable of accommodating functions and corporate hospitality for entertaining clients and colleagues.

“Heads down” working area away from social spaces

From user research, we learned that a high proportion of “heads down” work necessitated a clear change between work and social space to minimise distractions and therefore the main workstation area is located on the south-west facing portion of the floor plate, away from the front-of-house. This also allowed staff to capitalise on the best daylight available during the day.

Here we created a suite of offices fitted with furniture modules capable of being adapted for future change. Efficient storage solutions fit seamlessly into workspace walls increasing the amount of storage for staff while using the minimal amount of space. The interior design of this space has been purposefully left neutral and muted to create a sense of calm for more focussed work to occur.

While social areas give staff a space to unwind

Centrally located between the office area and client facing area is ‘The Hub’ – the main staff breakout area. Finished in soft tones of blue and mint green, the area was designed to become a space where team members can relax and feel that they have stepped away from the intensity of their day. This space spills onto a large roof terrace area with more casual style outdoor seating ready for staff entertainment and enjoyment in the summer months.

Their positive attitude is infectious. Nothing was too much trouble. I have already been spreading the word about how excellent our experience has been. We would like to express our thanks to everyone involved at every level.