What began as a huge culture shock to Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, gave birth to a new “culture of collaboration” when the increase in teamwork, information-sharing and quicker access to decision-makers soon became clear to the managing partner.
Wanting to retain and capitalize on this, the senior partner requested that we revisit the master plan at the firm’s headquarters to include more collaborative spaces and try to replicate the “buzz” experienced in the temporary space. In fact, taking less space might have been a consideration had Stroock & Stroock & Lavan not just signed a new long term lease for 224,000 square feet only a few weeks prior to the storm.
Master planning underway, the focus was on reducing and centralizing administrative support; converting excess space to a diverse range of collaborative settings; utilizing open spaces and material finishes that increase daylight penetration; and create an overall sense of awareness among employees.
In order to capitalize on our client’s experiences during that three month period in temporary space, our goal was to find a balance between what worked well in both their current space and their temporary quarters. To accomplish this, we proposed not so much a single design but a flexible system consisting of two zones (A and B) that would allow the firm to adapt over time based on their changing needs. Flexibility Zonewe proposed not so much a single design but a flexible system consisting of two zones (A and B) that would allow the firm to adapt over time based on their changing needs. Flexibility Zone
