Morton Fraser MacRoberts
Merging Two Teams in one Connected Workspace
When two prestigious law firms merged, Morton Fraser MacRoberts became one of Scotland’s largest independent legal practices. To effectively integrate the two businesses, they required a collaborative environment to unite colleagues and provide an attractive space to welcome clients.
- Location Edinburgh
- Client Morton Fraser MacRoberts
- Status Complete
- Services Interior Design, Principal Design
- Photography David Cadzow
Fostering a Cohesive Environment
The need to bring together two offices in Edinburgh, and a timely lease event, contributed to a decision to relocate to new, grade A office space in Edinburgh’s Haymarket.
This gave both practices a fresh start under their new brand.
The consolidation was also an opportunity to design a more efficient, effective and modern workspace. The two former businesses, taken together, had previously occupied four floors across two offices, with a less-than-optimum balance of desks, meeting rooms, breakout space and storage space.
By bringing everyone together on one floor Morton Fraser MacRoberts could foster a more connected and cohesive working environment better suited to their new requirements.
Space Planning
Creative space planning was required to increase efficiency and maximise the reduced floor area to ensure they had the wide range of social, collaborative and focus space needed.
The aim was an optimal, flexible workspace for colleagues whilst providing a suitable and welcoming space for clients.
Designing a Collaborative Environment
Encouraging their hybrid workforce into a collaborative environment was essential to unite both teams and foster ‘moments that matter’. So, the new workplace required a social and creative hub as well as inclusive workspaces for meetings or to focus.
They also wanted to carry forward learnings from the upgrading of their Glasgow office. Although aiming for a similar look and feel they weren’t too prescriptive about the palette to give it a unique identity.
Custom solutions for the reception area and bespoke joinery in the social area also created an individual and original design.
Optimising the Space
Making the most of the stunning views of Edinburgh, client space and meeting rooms were based around the perimeter. Pods, booths and quiet spaces were located more centrally.
And to resolve some of their previous storage issues and free up space, a library was created putting legal textbooks on display.
