1. Needs of the client:

Characteristics of the law firm 

- The firm is 30 years old, lead by 16 Partners, Associates, Special Counsel, and Consultants.

- They have broad expertise amongst their team in property, commercial, corporate, litigation, family lay, employment, estate planning, IP and Technology, cyber, franchising, insolvency, management, strata, workplace health and safety laws.

- They are based in Sydney, with a CBD location.

Our Lawyers have studied Law, Media, Marketing, Science, Mathematics, Economic and Nursing to mention a few. The firm itself was established by Fredrick Swaab, in Sydney, Australia, in 1981 and has grown to become a haven for innovation, entrepreneurship, family business, small to medium enterprises, corporates, high-net-worth individuals and government clients. We hold a unique position in the market place, as a firm with both full-service Commercial and Family law offerings. Our success come from putting our people and clients first by living our values of: Commitment, Integrity, Excellence, Generosity of Spirit, Unity and Innovation. Our strong and enduring culture is the result of developing and nurturing long-term client relationships. 

Client’s details and further information can be found here:

Why the law firm needs an office’s remodel? 

They were coming towards the end of their lease/property term. After an extensive review of other building options throughout Sydney, they decided to re-sign within the current boutique building.

2. Objective of the design

What does the law firm want from the office’s remodel?

They saw this as an opportunity to reposition their firm in a way that created efficiencies ensuring they remain competitive, improved culture within he firm and staff wellbeing with new amenities and work settings.

3. Development

The remodeling phase was a complete removal of existing fitout over four floors and new workplace design to consolidate space into three floors.

What parameters have been taken into account when carrying out this refurbishment? 

The previous office design was a hierarchical layout where all Partners and legal staff were located on the perimeter of the building, controlling both external views and access to sunlight. Internal space was occupied by supporting legal staff/business services and only had access to external aspects in shared social zone spaces.

Through the consolidation planning process, Hammond Studio explained to the partnership that this existing model would need to change if property costs were required, but also explaining the other benefits for the firm in pursuing an alternative planning approach that, with the use of new communication and collaboration technologies, would benefit the firm culturally.

After presenting alternative planning models, with the advantages and disadvantages of each, a hybrid model was selected. Only Partners were provided with the option of having an inbound office ‘off the perimeter’ towards the centre of the building with all other staff in open plan along the perimeter, providing them with a shared workspace where all have access to views and solar daylight, critical for the wellbeing of staff and the cultural message to all staff of their importance to the firm.

What advantages have you had during the refurbishment process?

No functional elements of the old office have aided or been used in the new workspace but from a cultural perspective we have reused treasured artwork once owned by Fred Swaab, founder of Swaab Lawyers. As a lifelong member of Bondi Icebergs, a winter swimming club at the iconic Bondi Beach, Fred Swaab commissioned artist Stephen Evans to paint a bird’s eye mural of his beloved Sydney coastline. We used this artwork as part of our design narrative for the aesthetics of the new workplace design and also, with permission from Stephen Evans, increased the artwork size to be a wall mural and feature within the reception waiting space.

What obstacles they had to face?

The building has large internal columns of varying sizes and not an exact grid. Our way of addressing this was in the intelligence of the planning outcome which conceals these large columns.

4. Final presentation of the finished refurbishment

5. Benefits obtained by the law firm

Client Quotes:

“Hammond Studio worked tirelessly from day one to understand and prioritise our needs. Their experienced and dedicated team designed a space we are proud of, which reflects the values of our firm and encapsulates a beautiful legacy in honour of our founder, Fred Swaab.

Engaging Hammond Studio early in the process was invaluable when it came to our decision to stay in the building.

Our people and our clients have been full of praise and positive feedback on our fitout and we are delighted with our new workplace. Todd and Josephine are down to earth, professional, experienced and passionate about their work. They were a pleasure to work with. Their level of care and attention to detail is second to none.” 

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