Elegant light-filled space for global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright

Following the successful delivery of the Norton Rose Fulbright Johannesburg project, Tétris was appointed to fit out the law firm’s new Cape Town office when they decided to move form an old building with dated infrastructure to the efficient P Grade 117 on Strand building in the city centre.

Similar to the Johannesburg space consolidation, the Cape Town business reduced its footprint from 3500 sqm to 1040 sqm through an efficient design that applies global law firm trends. This included a move to a more open plan layout and optimisation of storage and filing systems with integrated tall cabinets and lockers. To achieve this, new ways of working were introduced, including double occupancy offices for all staff below Equity Director level.

More collaboration spaces like phone booths and internal meeting rooms were introduced to eliminate the need for internal meetings taking place in the client interface area.

The client interface area overlooks the harbour, Table Mountain and the colourful Bo Kaap neighbourhood. The library has been re-imagined as a space that doubles up as an informal meeting area while showcasing the law firm’s history.

For clients and staff alike, the striking bar and entertainment area offers flexibility, with sliding stacking doors separating the bar and pause area, enabling the space to be adapted for either larger or more intimate functions. Leading on to balconies that overlook the breathtaking scenery, the space is ideal for networking and socialising.

In addition, with a focus on employee wellbeing, a mother’s room and wellness room were introduced.

The design maximises natural light from the full glass façade of the building with a concept defined by clean lines and transparency. The indigenous fynbos vegetation and surrounding natural vistas are elegantly woven into the design through soft furnishings and wallpapers in the meeting rooms. Hints of uniformity with the Johannesburg design are seen through highlights of red linking back to the brand identity. Feature lighting and sophisticated wallpapers bring depth to the space.