Jump Studios has completed a vibrant technology innovation space for a London law firm
Designed by Jump Studios, Fuse is a technology innovation space for global law firm Allen & Overy. Located between the City of London and Shoreditch, the project hosts eight start-ups with up to 60 co-workers alongside the firm’s in-house team of lawyers and technologists.
Fuse provides a socially engaging and collaborative space, inhabited by forward-thinkers whose work focuses on investigating how technology will play into every aspect of the world in the coming years, explains the architect. A range of social, intimate and informal working areas are provided to stimulate collaboration between the start-ups and lawyers-in-residence.
In contrast to the traditional, hierarchical cellular culture of office models, a teal blue entry portal marks the gateway into the new workspace. A flexible social/ collaborative space lies at the heart of the plan, and incorporates ‘loose-fitting’ breakout furniture, a coffee area, and multifunctional event space for talks, workshops and external events. Lawyers are invited to conduct informal meetings and social gatherings in the shared space to encourage social interaction.
One of the challenges of the project was to design a workplace that would appeal to a range of businesses, be appropriate for the privacy needs of a law firm, and appear as a single inclusive environment, says the architect. The solution takes the form of a ‘glass box’ where lawyers can conduct confidential business while remaining visually accessible to the rest of the workplace.
Additional Images
