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ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT The firm sought to create a functional, yet warm and inviting, workplace in this build-out. In doing so, they had to work around the building’s unusual footprint. The diamond-shaped facility’s layout includes points, cutouts and columns, as well as an integral stairwell that takes up significant space. As a result, all 32 partner offices are smaller than in the previous location, and none are quite the same size or shape. Despite the differences, the firm still wanted to convey a sense of continuity from office to office. That’s where the furniture came into play. “The building’s design challenged us in terms of efficiency, and we decided that freestanding desks were not the answer for this space,” Carames said. “We realized we wanted a cohesive casegoods solution in which we could use the wall as a way to accommodate furniture efficiently as best as we could.” Fully raised What’s more, the team wanted everyone’s space to have a similar furniture layout and aesthetic – one that would appeal to a wide range of partner personalities and tastes, from enduring and classic to something a little more modern. “We have a multi-generational workforce with different design preferences,” explained Christine Schaut, Greenberg Traurig’s Washington, D.C. business director. “We had requests for quality wood, ergonomics and clean lines. We also wanted to address how lawyers today work – and bring in more accommodations for technology – so we looked around to see how we could incorporate this diverse wish list into a flexible furniture solution.” Schaut says they initially looked at various manufacturers’ mock-ups and then toured multiple office facilities – ranging from other law firms to healthcare settings to educational buildings to traditional corporate offices – to view actual installations in a search for inspiration or the perfect solution. Fully lowered “We saw many things we liked. We also saw things we knew we didn’t want to do,” she said. “One size would not fit all. We needed a little bit of flexibility and individualism. For example, some of our practice areas are paper-intensive. Others are not. The paper people wanted file drawers. Others wanted a clean design with more technology options. We needed the right balance of something that could please everyone.”
The ability to replicate an authentic standard throughout a location, across all locations, from single offices to double ones, is terrific. “ ” Enter Gunlocke and its local dealer, CHL Business Interiors Inc. in Washington, DC, of which the law firm has been a long-time client. The manufacturer and its trusted dealer partner listened to what Greenberg Traurig wanted to accomplish, took the firm’s budget requirements under consideration and set out to create a custom solution using the best features of three Gunlocke lines – Silea TM , Credentials TM and Medley TM . Carames said, during the process, he and his team met with Gunlocke President Don Mead and even toured a Cleveland law firm that also recently installed a casegoods line that caught Carames’ and Schaut’s attention – Silea. “It is an efficient casegoods concept,” he said. “And, it offers the quality that our partners would appreciate.” The firm loved the combination of Silea’s wood aesthetic and functional flexibility. However they also appreciated the durable, thicker, ½-inch solid wood edge bands of the Medley line. Ultimately, the Silea desk and casegoods were made from a stratawood veneer that coordinated with the Medley edge band. An integrated pencil trough on the work-surface, pulled from Gunlocke’s latest casegoods collection, Credentials, rounded out this “hybrid” design solution. those lawyers who wanted one. Partners also could select a height-adjustable, push-button desktop option to add extra ergonomic flexibility to their workspaces. The firm completed each office with refined Lily wood guest seating, one of Gunlocke’s newest offerings in this category. “It’s a really pioneering approach,” said Frank Licari, executive vice president at CHL Business Interiors. “It’s all Gunlocke, but it isn’t just one product line. It’s a creative solution developed to best suit the customer’s needs.” “The ability to replicate an authentic standard throughout a location, across all locations, from single offices to double ones, is terrific,“ Carames said. “It all works and flows, with great quality and the best of the various lines at the right price point. The flexibility is amazing.” FEATURED PRODUCTS A hybrid design solution of: Silea TM desk/casegoods Medley TM edge banding Credentials TM integrated pencil trough Lily TM guest chairs Dealer: CHL Business Interiors Inc. Washington, DC From there, the firm’s leadership offered options to this standard design to its shareholders. These options ranged from sliding glass doors on overhead storage, to a back-painted-glass tack board, to open shelving or closed shelving and coordinating bookcases for One Gunlocke Dr. | Wayland, NY 14572 800-828-6300
Page 1 and 2: A CUSTOM SOLUTION for the MODERN LE
Page 3: A hybrid design solution of: Silea

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