Hírek
LEED GOLD certified Allen & Overy law office supported by ML2S
The law firm Allen&Overy Kádár, located in the Hillside Office Building, has obtained LEED ID+C Gold certification. The office, designed by MádiLáncos Studio, was certified as a rental property by the client, which represents a unique, conscious and deep commitment to sustainable thinking. The certification process of the law firm’s office building on Alkotás Road was facilitated by the sustainable division of MádiLáncos Studio, ML2S experts János Szlovák and Márton Varga, architects.
Allen & Overy, with offices in forty-four countries, decided to move to a more modern and efficient building after a decade and a half and has chosen the LEED Gold-certified Hillside Office Building. The interior of the international law firm, Allen&Overy is spacious, timeless and made of high-quality materials while the choice of location and the efforts to obtain green certification all demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable thinking.
The planning of the new office for the international firm was also an important milestone in the life of MádiLáncos Studio, it was the project in which three of their separate business units, MádiLáncos Studio, responsible for interior design, ML2C, dealing with project management and workspace strategy, and ML2S, the specialist in sustainable and green solutions, could work in full harmony and in synergy. The Allen & Overy Kádár Law Firm is the result of a coordinated, collaborative thinking of different office design fields, and has been created with high quality, sensitive design solutions, always keeping the needs of the client in mind. When the law firm was designed, it became clear that the responsible and conscious approach of the client would blaze a trail for the offices of the future.
Thorough research preceded the new location search: Allen & Overy used one of MádiLáncos’ key services, the so-called workspace strategy, during which the experts mapped the needs, created a strategy and finally chose the LEED Gold certified Hillside Office Building.
However, workspace strategy goes beyond finding the right office building: it provides a data-driven summary of the needs and expectations of the company and its employees, this information is essential for interior designers in planning, but also an important feedback for managers about their company.
Transparent, clean and timeless design
Within the new 580 square meters of office space, the reception, lounge and meeting rooms are designed to welcome clients, while the back office is reserved for staff. There are offices for two people, a collaboration space, a video conference room, a relaxation room, and work café areas perfect for informal meetings, networking, having a coffee or lunch.
The aim was to create a design that is elegant, harmonious and timeless: instead of bright colors and extravagant solutions, the designers sought to create an atmosphere that radiates quality and predictability by using fine details, discreet pastel and earthy tones, a delicate balance of cool and warm colors and soft shapes.
Confidence, drawn with design tools
The designers of MádiLáncos have used colors more boldly and have also introduced some freshness and playfulness in the community spaces: in addition to earthy colors and natural wood, pleasant red tones appear from caramel to deep burgundy.
Because of the client’s field of expertise, high quality acoustic solutions are of paramount importance in the whole office, and the aim is to provide the highest possible level of privacy in the design solutions.
An exciting, unique feature of the office space is the ash slat paneling, which adds freshness to the space while its timeless material reflects long-term thinking.
Hungarian artists’ artworks, paintings and sculptures, carefully selected by the MLS team, make the office space unique - among others, the international office features works by József Bullás and a painting by Miklós Szüts.
The staff’s favorite since moving in is the sit-in booth, a comfortable, cozy space enhanced by the unique, patterned upholstery. The Haworth Riverbend’s acoustic benches are perfect for relaxation and private conversations, while the lounge corner is a carpeted space with a library. The centerpiece of the kitchen is a large, wooden community table: in addition to dining, it is also suitable for informal meetings, in-house events or even work.
Arktura’s suspended ceiling is a real highlight: here, the designers’ explicit aim was to create a soft wave pattern that flows across the ceiling and increases the sense of space in the low ceiling area of the reception. The Vibia lamps above the reception and the reddish felt acoustic lamps also define the space.
A unique coffee bar can be found in the reception area: all sides are visible and it separates the toilets. The counter also contains a cloakroom and a self-service coffee station for customers, as well as a unique niche; the furniture, made of quality materials and marble, is a striking element of the design.
Maximizing bike storage, a step towards carbon balance
The owners of the company wanted to move their office into a certified building, so they settled on the LEED Gold-certified Hillside Office Building in Hegyvidék, Budapest. The building’s energy efficiency, current structural features, the availability of public transport in the district, the design of bicycle storage facilities and air quality were key considerations.
From the very beginning of the project, the aim was to certify the office itself, with the intention of achieving LEED ID+C (LEED for Interior Design and Construction) Gold certification.
A sustainable approach was important in the design and construction of the office, and it guided the entire process. Here are a few examples of environmentally conscious design: Allen & Overy rents only three parking spaces to reduce car traffic, while providing adequate bicycle storage for employees and customers, including changing and shower facilities in the office.
The designers have sought to minimize waste and preserve as much of the original materials as possible, such as carpets, floor tiles, suspended ceilings and lamps. The way Allen & Overy is committed to reducing global carbon emissions is exemplary and unfortunately still not widespread in the Hungarian market: the total annual energy consumption of the office is offset by the purchase of carbon credits.
During the development, MádiLáncos, combining the expertise of all three business units, worked to ensure that Allen & Overy not only moved into a well-functioning, economically efficient office, but also had a space with sophisticated design and sustainable solutions that is beneficial to the natural environment and the people who use it.
