A modern office layout is typically found in trendy marketing or tech industries for the purpose of attracting top young talent. However, established professional service firms are now updating their office spaces, but for a slightly different, but still impactful reason. This includes businesses such as banks and law firms, specifically Nixon Peabody and Wellesley Bank who have recently adopted these contemporary floor plans to physically display their company values and missions. Closed spaces and tall cubicles are no longer characteristics of these offices. Both companies have chosen to revamp their floor plan with hopes of the same outcome; living and encouraging their company culture.
Nixon Peabody – one of the largest law firms in the world – has taken steps to completely remodel their U.S. offices. The New York and Los Angeles locations have already been transformed, and now their Boston office is following. The new space at 53 State Street is just over 100,000 SF and occupies four floors of the Exchange Place building. The space challenges a traditional office by eliminating individual corner rooms and opting for equal workspaces and glass walls. CEO Andrew Glincher feels that this design better represents the company’s identity, by both enhancing the ability for collaboration and improving transparency. With modern artwork and bright rooms, the company believes this space not only creates a welcoming environment, but also maximizes efficiency. Wellesley Bank, founded in 1911, started as a small business with just four people. Today it has over 86 employees and six retail banking offices. Their newest location is at Park 9, 100 Worcester Street in Wellesley where they have expanded their space, signing a lease for 15,000 SF. This office has been designed to meet their belief in continuously evolving as a company. Wellesley Bank has chosen to visually represent their company’s growth over time through converting their office layout. The redesign features an open layout and glass offices, which allows for an abundance of natural light. President and CEO, Thomas Fontaine, explains that “we wanted to create an environment that embraced our brand and culture; friendly, efficient, entrepreneurial and fun”. While most banks choose to use a standard floor plan, this unique office layout is meant to help build their banking community in order to continue succeeding as a company. By utilizing their physical office space, companies like Nixon Peabody and Wellesley Bank have been able to actively preach and incite their company culture and values. The ability for employees and clients to instantly see the company’s values at work is an ultimate differentiator that can lead to business growth and improved employee retention.