The reconfiguration and fit out of the offices of a Belfast law firm. The exting spec office space benefits from dramatic aspects toward the harbour gantries and surrounding hills and overlooks the distinctive roofscape of the area. The particular challenge of the project was to mediate the characteristics of openess, daylight and views associated with contemporary office environments with the requirement for visual and aural discretion specific to the practice of law.

Spatial and functional adaptions are made using a series of distinctive crafted elements in varnished dark hardwood which bring detail, depth, contrast and richness to the generic neutrality of the existing spec offices. Floor to ceiling storage walls solve archiving issues, reading cabinets enable efficent everyday interaction with current jobfiles, while louvred screens permit light while controlling views between main office floor and partners’ offices, and out to the cityscape beyond.

A polystyrene tiled dropped ceiling is removed to expose a profiled steel floor decking, the reflective surface of which helps bounce light deeper into the depth of the single aspect space. Exposed services and light fittings are then screened and shaded by limewaxed timber fins at regular centres.