Nossaman Law Office Renovation

Following the COVID pandemic, LA-based law firm Nossaman LLP took the opportunity to renovate and right-size its 12-year-old law office space to suit the hybrid work style that emerged during the pandemic and functioned well for the firm. It reduced its office square footage by about 20 percent and sought to transform the rest of the two-story space into an enticing environment that would attract its attorneys back to the office.  

The renovation emphasizes collaborative spaces including common spaces and internal collaborative areas, underscoring the value of interacting in person with colleagues and clients. It also showcases the firm’s impressive art collection with the minimalist aesthetic of an art gallery, a sleek new expression in a sharp contrast to the previous, more traditional style. The result is a beautiful and alluring work environment that is brighter and better suited to today’s work styles.  

The design relocates an interior café to a prime location along a curved exterior wall, where it takes advantage of plentiful sunlight and striking western views, including abutting the glass where people can plug-in and work while enjoying those views. It establishes a social center, with an array of booths and tables that provide options for dining, meeting and impromptu connections. An enlarged reception area leads to a large conference room, which was doubled in size. The reception area and conference room can function as one large event space or be separated with a glass partition specified for its sound-reduction properties, and with a configurable table system to also accommodate event uses.   

The renovation excelled at problem solving, making efficient use of the budget and the reduced space. Rather than replacing the central stair, lacquered handrails and granite treads gave it a fitting new look. The design team artfully balanced the partners' desires for both privacy and natural light by incorporating large sidelights at each office, creating a harmonious and cost-effective compromise. When a planned translucent ceiling treatment proved unfeasible because of insufficient plenum space, the design and engineering teams conceived a thin LED faux skylight to unify the reception area and bathe it in soft light. Textured glass accents, new lighting and other interior updates all contribute to an engaging and effective work environment for the post-pandemic era.