Designed Change
How colour, materials, and vision transform a law firm—an office project in focus
New Work has evolved far beyond a passing trend – especially in legal consulting, an industry rooted in hierarchies and confidentiality. Yet even here, innovative workspaces are taking shape. Simmons + Simmons seized the moment. Within the Four high-rise, designed by UNStudio, the firm proves that New Work and legal professionalism can thrive together: open, collaborative, purposeful. This move to Tower 4 marks a symbolic turning point. Gone are the corner offices that once signaled status and solitude. In their place: a design centered on equality and diverse spaces that invite collaboration, encourage transparency, and embrace flexibility. Merz Innen.Architektur made this transformation possible – through an interior design vision that deliberately challenged convention while keeping the firm's legal mission firmly in focus.
Yet openness hasn't compromised the profession's essential demands. Confidentiality and focus remain – they've simply been reimagined. Small, bookable offices provide quiet and privacy when needed. Meanwhile, hallways breathe, corners transform into vibrant gathering spaces. Light-filled open areas with sweeping city views foster spontaneous connection. The real anchors are the Marketplace, scattered coffee points, and generous meeting rooms – spaces that surveys show keep people choosing the office, even as remote work remains an option. Coming to the office becomes a preference, not a mandate. Visitor flow is equally intentional: reception and client areas stay distinct from working spaces, preserving discretion and professionalism while welcoming employees into an open, inviting environment. The color palette translates the Aqua Tower's architecture into lived experience. Flowing greens and blues echo the building's character, while warm accents guide movement and foster identity. Each work zone tells its own story – intuitively distinct by function, atmosphere, and purpose. But Merz Innen.Architektur did more than play with color; they choreographed form itself. The high-rise's curves and angles reappear indoors – sometimes as soft havens, sometimes as sharp, focused workspaces.
Photography:
Kristof Lemp
www.lempinet.com
(Featured in CUBE Frankfurt 03|25)
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