Case Study: Birkett Long
Our Client: Birkett Long LLP – solicitors based in Basildon, Chelmsford and Colchester.
Brief: To renovate, improve and expand Birkett Long’s client facilities (including a waiting area, meeting rooms and a bespoke reception desk) to give a professional front-of-house area in which to welcome clients.
Our Role: We planned and designed the new facilities, then we stripped out the existing ones, which also required some structural work to remove the existing walls. We constructed new walls and ceilings before adding the office partitions, flooring, lighting and decoration, along with a bespoke reception desk we manufactured ourselves. We used a combination of our own trades and the client’s contacts for this entire project.
Client Comments: “The work is a vast improvement on what went before and we’ve been receiving really positive comments from staff and visitors. It’s safe to say the client areas now better reflect the brand and the direction in which the firm is going.” Jennie Skingsley, Marketing Manager at Birkett Long
Project Details
Reception and Client Area: The client area was redesigned to include a professional waiting area with seating, satellite TV and a refreshments machine. We also manufactured a bespoke reception desk containing sleek storage, and planned the new layout to include a discrete hidden area for filing cupboards and a photocopier.
Meeting Rooms: We wanted the new client meeting rooms to look clean, crisp, light and spacious, so we incorporated glass wall panels to divide up the area, allowing the light to flow through and keeping an open-plan feel. The three previous meeting-rooms used to hold a maximum of 4 people, whereas the four new rooms we created now accommodate 5, 5, 8 and 10 people!
Sound Reduction and Privacy: We used acoustic ceilings throughout – to keep noise levels down, enhance privacy and keep client confidentiality to a maximum. All the small rooms are fronted with fairly dense glass, and we enhanced this privacy even further by using frosted vinyl applied to the glass. We then added a little extra style by integrating the outline of the Birkett Long logo onto the frosted panels!
Furniture and Decoration: Our decoration and colour scheme was based around Birkett Long’s primary corporate colours, and was designed in conjunction with their marketing and development team. We also updated the decoration and furniture in the larger rooms to give a fresh new look. The new furniture included smart new sofas, chairs and coffee tables.
Exterior and Signage: Finally, we updated the exterior front windows of the building to give some cohesion to the front of the property (which was once three separate shops), and we also proposed ideas for new signage internally and externally, which the client pursued directly with a signage company.
Final Comments: “The final area looks great; it has clean, crisp lines and is very corporate whilst being contemporary and maintaining a relaxed atmosphere. It offers the perfect balance, providing a friendly, open reception area and professional, confidential meeting facilities.” Rhea Hughes, GS Contracts
More Information about Birkett Long
Birkett Long LLP is a progressive Essex-based firm of solicitors – a full service firm advising business and individual clients. With over 150 staff, the firm has been pursuing a steady expansion plan and has grown substantially in recent years to become one of the leading legal firms in the area. They are accredited with the quality marks of the Law Society, Lexcel and ISO 9001.
Birkett Long prides itself in its ability to provide a comprehensive service equal to many London firms, at competitive local rates. A team of independent financial advisers completes the picture, giving clients access to a wide range of specialist services.
Client care is at the top of their priority list: they will do everything within their power to make the legal processes straightforward and problem-free. They have an outstanding reputation for providing high quality, cost-effective and practical solutions – locally, nationally and internationally.
Find out more about Birkett Long on their website
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