Edinburgh
5 Forres Street
Edinburgh, EH3 6DE
Glasgow
83a Candleriggs
Glasgow, G1 1LF
Manchester
11 York Street
Manchester, M2 2AW

Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow

Delivering Excellence through Collaboration

One person sat at the front desk to the Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow office, speaking to another person stood beside the desk A person sat at the front desk of the Addleshaw Goddard office, with other people sat around the tables and chairs dotted around the reception area

When Addleshaw Goddard moved to a new location with double the footprint of their existing Glasgow office they recognised it as a huge opportunity. They envisaged a ‘destination’, attracting colleagues into a future ready workspace.

  • Location Glasgow
  • Client Addleshaw Goddard
  • Status Complete
  • Services Interior Design, Principal Design
  • Size 11,500 sq ft
  • Photography Alan McAteer
Three people sat on orange office chairs around a table in meeting room space in the Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow office, with windows lining the outside walls

Their brief called for a vibrant, high quality, flexible space reflecting the prestige of their brand. From the moment a client or colleague entered it needed to communicate a warm welcome, professionalism and ambition.

Beyond aesthetics, a highly efficient and functional space facilitating hybrid working was required. The right mix of focused workstations, collaborative settings and private space.

With MLAs deep understanding and substantial experience working with law firms, Addleshaw Goddard's leadership were confident they could translate their aspirations effectively.

Three overarching objectives directed the design strategy: -

Creating a Destination Space

The aim was to draw colleagues to the office for something they couldn't replicate when working from home - culture, connection, variety.

They also needed to have a strong brand identity but with a local ‘personality’. MLA drew on Addleshaw Goddard's wider design language whilst incorporating a distinctly Scottish sensibility. Deep blue and warm tones reference the city's character without resorting to cliché. And materials were selected that felt native to Glasgow's architectural tradition.

Workspaces at Addleshaw Goddard including a private enclosed workspace with glass doors
The kitchen area in the Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow office, where one person is grabbing water from the tap, one person is walking by and two people are sat on wooden chairs with orange cushions talking
A breakroom in the Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow office with two people having a meeting on one pink booth and another person on their laptop in another pink booth

Prioritising Clients

First impressions matter and client-facing spaces were a priority for a business that delivers a high-quality experience across everything they do. So, MLA designed an impactful arrival and a comfortable, high-spec client suite. Guests arrive through a corridor framed by a dark navy arch, globe pendant clusters and light oak flooring.

Occupying the front of the building, the client suite benefits from good natural light and attractive city views. Designed for flexibility it’s suitable for hosting private briefings, formal meetings, workshops or networking and social gatherings. Discreetly behind is a dedicated client pantry, cloakroom, and furniture store, ensuring everything runs smoothly out of sight.

The reception area of Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow, decorated with small tables and armchairs for people to sit in or have meetings

Fostering Collaboration

Addleshaw Goddard are known for bringing quality, imagination and positive impact to their clients, projects and relationships.

Facilitating smooth interaction and connection to solve complex problems was essential to the success of the project.

Collaboration is intentionally designed into the layout. Pathways intersect with social spaces like the tea point and breakout areas, increasing the chance of spontaneous meetings. Lower-level storage and lockers and internal glazing increase visibility from desking along the perimeter across the breakout space.

A variety of work settings is provided with a range of pods, booths, ‘huddle’ and meeting spaces. Technology supports both in-person and remote participants seamlessly, ensuring hybrid teams feel connected rather than separate.

Four people sat around a wooden console table in a meeting room at Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow, three of them looking at a laptop and one person on the phone
A person writing in a notebook, using the top of a row of wooden lockers as a table, with the Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow office breakroom in front of them, separated by a window
A person walking down a hallway in the Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow office, with a breakroom space on their right

“MLA delivered a beautifully designed office that combines strong local character with a modern, welcoming workplace. They took the time to really understand our culture and how our teams work, and that insight is clearly reflected in the finished space. The team were professional, collaborative and a pleasure to work with throughout.”

- Caroline Cleveley, Premises & Office Services Director, Addleshaw Goddard
Two people walking down the open plan Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow office with workspaces on their left

Outcome

Addleshaw Goddard is driven to consistently deliver exceptional experiences and outcomes for everyone they support. Their new office reflects this with an inviting, highly efficient workspace for colleagues and a high-quality, welcoming space for clients. The overall design reinforces their brand identity whilst achieving the collaborative and flexible destination space they envisaged.

Three people sat on orange office chairs around a table in meeting room space in the Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow office, with windows lining the outside walls 1
Workspaces at Addleshaw Goddard including a private enclosed workspace with glass doors 2
The kitchen area in the Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow office, where one person is grabbing water from the tap, one person is walking by and two people are sat on wooden chairs with orange cushions talking 3
A breakroom in the Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow office with two people having a meeting on one pink booth and another person on their laptop in another pink booth 4
The reception area of Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow, decorated with small tables and armchairs for people to sit in or have meetings 5
Four people sat around a wooden console table in a meeting room at Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow, three of them looking at a laptop and one person on the phone 6
A person writing in a notebook, using the top of a row of wooden lockers as a table, with the Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow office breakroom in front of them, separated by a window 7
A person walking down a hallway in the Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow office, with a breakroom space on their right 8
Two people walking down the open plan Addleshaw Goddard Glasgow office with workspaces on their left 9

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