The redesign of Sheppard Mullin’s San Francisco office was driven by the need to increase capacity, accommodate future growth, and to meet the goal of creating a more collaborative work environment. The design team’s assessment process began with a strategic visioning session and evaluation of the firm's current workplace practices, space utilization, and growth projections. Ultimately this approach resulted in a new, streamlined planning model. Designed and constructed in three phases, the reorganized space efficiently densifies four floors into three through key measures such as reducing unessential file storage, introducing interior attorney offices, and creating additional collaboration spaces.
Fundamental to the restructuring was the addition of an elegant new interior stair, which combines fumed Oak wood with a three-story mosaic of large tinted glass panels, a uniform design element that visually connects the floors.
To foster collaboration, additional amenity spaces were inserted on each floor. A central breakroom with striking views of San Francisco Bay becomes a central destination for dining, informal get-togethers, or an alternative workplace. A flexible and secure conference center with state-of-the-art audio/visual technology features a large multipurpose room with a drop down Skyfold partition and Switchlight privacy glass. The conference center provides adaptive settings from small meetings to large events, such as speaking engagements and partner meetings.