Stephenson Harwood

In 2021, Cushman & Wakefield’s Total Workplace team secured a new client, Stephenson Harwood (SH Legal), and assisted the legal stalwart in pushing the boundaries of shared office space for fee earners. The findings through interviews and surveys determined the trial of shared enclosed office. Following the consolidation of the office footprint during Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, there was an adaption of agile working system for the business support team.

Post Covid in 2023, SH Legal was ready to embrace a new way of working, with renewed business partnership and office expansion, the firm focused on acquiring new talents and maintaining the work dynamics of the new generation.

Collaborating closely with our Total Workplace and Commercial Leasing teams, our Project Development Services team crafted a sustainable workplace design that offered our clients exceptional flexibility for multi-purpose use of their new space. Operable partition systems were incorporated, enabling the clients to seamlessly host a variety of meetings and events, ranging from small and medium-sized gatherings to large-scale meetings. The space also accommodates external industry and social events as well as training and development activities.

The redesigned Stephenson Harwood Singapore office is aimed at providing a unique client experience and fostering a people-centric workplace. The firm sought to depart from a segmented and enclosed environment, opting for a more refined, progressive, and sophisticated atmosphere characterized by warmer tones and minimalist aesthetics.

With a combination of airy, enclosed fee earner suites alongside open-plan desks, the single-floor layout not only enhances connectivity among teams but also reduces hierarchical barriers, aligning perfectly with the firm's dedication to inclusivity. This transformation was in sync with the firm's expanding global footprint, signifying a fresh start as employees returned to the office. The new design palette draws from textures and layers to convey the resilience of Stephenson Harwood's worldwide brand, its established presence in the region, and the warmth of its people and culture. Cushman & Wakefield design team led by Joey Quek collaborated closely with Stephenson Harwood Singapore Alliance to develop the iconic new office space in Singapore.