Baker McKenzie London
A ground-breaking legal workplace where the concept of ‘we’ is more important than ‘me’, the new London headquarters for international law firm Baker McKenzie has supercharged an entirely new way of working.
Designed to foster collaboration, connection and wellbeing, our workplace design for Baker McKenzie — one of the world’s largest international law practices — breaks with convention to create a contemporary, forward-thinking office space that resonates with personality and reflects the firm’s values of diversity and inclusivity.
Our people-first design approach, centred around a neighbourhood concept, encourages individuals from across the business to interact and communicate with one another. From working in silos and sometimes feeling isolated, employees now work as a collegiate team in an open, vertically connected, and agile (activity-based) environment.
“Hassell really understood our vision, and we are immensely proud of the new space, which is already driving changes to the way people work.”
— Rachel Slade, Programme Lead, Baker & McKenzie LLP
In the discovery stage of the design process, we spoke to over 100 staff members, and received an average response of 71% to staff surveys. The resulting data was implemented in the final design, which emphasises the integration of team spaces, support for a flexible and innovative workplace, and the elevation of the client experience.
Large centrally positioned tables on each floor promote collaboration and inter-team socialisation while quiet corners allow people to focus on work without distraction. A new, open central staircase connecting all working floors encourages active movement of people and teams between the many diverse workspaces.
Importantly, this workplace is a collective experience for all to share. Clients are welcome to work in the client lounge between meetings, and the main social space is open to clients and staff, blurring the boundaries between traditional divides and further encouraging collaboration between all occupants in the building.
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Sustainability Ratings
WELL Platinum (Targeting)
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“Creating neighbourhood pockets that directly surround open dynamic social and working spaces has allowed teams to prioritise a sense of community and collaboration that puts staff wellbeing first.”
