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Published by EUA Marketing, 2020-12-01 09:37:27

EUA:Pulse | December 2020

COVID-19 | Quarterly Insights

December 2020
COVID-19 Design Considerations : architecture : planning : interior design



PULSE is our quarterly outreach,
showcasing our latest designs and
connecting you with forward-thinking
industry experts.

As seen in Colorado Real Estate Journal | November 2020

ADAPTING IN 2020: HOW LAW FIRMS ARE
APPROACHING THE RETURN TO THE OFFICE

Businesses across the globe are facing a variety of challenges in returning to the office
amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding to these unprecedented circumstances
requires a balance between upholding and instituting policy, and an awareness of physical
space parameters, which could include making physical alterations to ensure health
and safety. We’ve had conversations with many clients on how they are handling this
transition, but here we focus on the law sector, an industry with a traditionally in-person,
office-intensive design. Industry leaders with a variety of different settings—from a new
office design completed within weeks of the pandemic start, to a shared legal coworking
practice—shared how they are responding and adapting. As an essential business sector,
each had the ability to stay in operation.

ARNOLD & PORTER: SLOW AND STEADY APPROACH
With offices across the U.S., Europe and Asia, Arnold & Porter is taking a phased approach
to their return based on each office’s geographic setting. We were connected because
EUA had recently helped put the finishing touches on their new 25,000 sq ft Denver
office. We met virtually with Christopher Ruschaupt, Director of Administrative Project
Management, and Scott McCombs, Denver Office Administrator, to hear how Arnold &
Porter is approaching the return to the office, and how a new office design is supporting
their needs.

How has business changed since the pandemic?
We started with asking how their business has changed since the start of the pandemic.
McCombs spoke about how, “business remained steady through March and April, in
part because our clients needed legal guidance on how best to navigate the impacts of
COVID-19.” When it came to the immediate need to work remotely, he felt Arnold & Porter
transitioned seamlessly. A majority of case files were already in electronic format and the
firm’s technology infrastructure allowed everybody to work effectively from home, even
staff members who previously had no remote access. Ruschaupt added that prior to the
pandemic there was no formal work-from-home policy, but technology quickly stepped
in, allowing for industry standard remote working requirements such as enhanced video
conferencing technologies (e.g. Zoom and Webinars) to support communication and
connectivity between attorneys, clients and staff.

What modifications will be made to the Denver office?
When it came to the layout of the Denver office space, Ruschaupt said there was not much
to address as there are only four workstations located in the shared office area, with each
occupant facing away from each other and all other workspaces enclosed. “Fortunately
support densities have come down, so we are not benching on top of each other.
Over time we’ve been increasing that ratio,” he said. He went on to discuss the future
considerations, including whether people will be sitting in open spaces, and if so, how to
maintain a safe spread.

From there we talked about the plan for shared spaces. For the Denver office, the plan is
to close some spaces traditionally used by groups, like conference rooms. In many cases,
larger conference rooms will be used to support the six-foot social distancing requirement.
Ruschaupt added that a majority of the changes relate to policy versus physical guidelines.
Each Arnold & Porter office has a different real estate footprint, so the firm will adapt
based on the constraints presented at each location.

For all offices, Arnold & Porter has introduced signage and paths of travel, and the newly
built Denver office is working on a plan to slowly migrate back with alternating schedules
for staff, monitoring density while allowing people to work safely.

What does the future hold?
With over 14 offices across the globe, Ruschaupt shared how Arnold & Porter’s leadership
has always stressed the importance of being as space-efficient as possible. In the practice
of law, this can be a difficult approach, balancing enough reasonable vacancy to adapt
to changes in hiring, acquisitions and practice group shifts without having multiple offices
sitting free. But he predicts that there will likely be a change, with potential for some level
of office-sharing considered in the future.

LAWBANK: MAINTAINING OPERATIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC
Originating in the Denver metro area with future expansion plans across the U.S.,
LawBank is a premier shared office space for lawyers. We talked with co-owners Jay
Kamlet, Founding Partner of Kamlet LLP and Founder of LawBank, and CEO Jordan
Deifik as well as their Marketing Consultant Meranda Vieyra. An underlying theme
of our conversation was the importance of adding additional value to members during
COVID-19 while creating a safe environment that supports diversity and inclusion.
LawBank is a unique offering in the legal industry and different from traditional coworking
as it provides a community environment where members get to know and support each
other in a social and business sense.

How has business changed since the pandemic?
We started all of our conversations the same way asking, “How has business changed?”
LawBank’s approach was to maintain normal operations as much as possible. With
lawyers considered an essential business, LawBank kept their doors open from the onset of
the pandemic.

Within the open space, tables are re-configured to create additional distance, and in
conference spaces disposable paper is placed over tables and replaced after use. Cubicles
were already available with glass partitions between them, so tenants have been opting to
use these spaces more than the open tables. Overall, the transition has felt seamless for
LawBank, with tenants still coming to the office for meetings, and actively practicing social
distancing and mask guidelines. Deifik said, “It’s important to us to follow guidelines, but
it’s also important to show that we care about our members, taking necessary steps to
protect them at this time as well.”

What about policy and space use?
When asked this question, Kamlet said, “It’s all about maintaining the community and
no matter what the space looks like, we are laser focused on helping continue that sense
of community.” When the pandemic hit, LawBank had to think on its toes about how to
continue to provide value for members who were not actively using the office. Previously,
one to two monthly educational sessions were offered as a way for members and non-
members to earn CLE credits through guest speakers and panels relevant to the legal
industry. LawBank rose to the challenge, pivoting to a digital weekly offering starting in
March. While the connections made are different via the virtual setting, they have seen
some sessions achieve higher than normal attendance rates.

Deifik added, “This has been about taking a bad situation and still finding ways that, even
while they may not be the same experience at the time, add value operationally.” LawBank
has seen an increase in tenant interest following the pandemic, with Deifik following with,

“This is exactly what we built this for—to appeal to practitioners who were used to firm
amenities but didn’t want to deal with the politics or requirements of working with a firm.”

What are your biggest concerns with your offices moving forward?
With three locations currently and active plans for growth across the U.S., Deifik stated,
“It’s the uncertainty in terms of trying to standardize layouts and operations that keeps
me up at night,” as he looks to develop floor plan calculations that optimize revenue
generation, while focusing on positive tenant experiences.

Moving Forward
A common theme in our discussions with clients has been adaptability; with change of
this scale thrust upon an entire society, we all have to be agile. This forced divorce from
the office, while inconvenient for many and desired by some, has changed the dynamic
and expectations of today’s workforce. No one knows what the future holds, but pre-
COVID-19, we were already seeing a shift in law firm design towards right sizing –
decreasing private office space to increase flexibility and maximize real estate. Remote
working is no longer an outlier, making now a good time to re-evaluate real estate
portfolios and leases for a solution that makes sense. For example, moving to a free
address design could be a valuable option. This would allow flexibility for attorneys to work
from home, while still having office space for collaborative work, meetings and to serve as
a resource to attract talent and communicate brand.

My prediction is that the key to employee satisfaction will be in how law firms handle
remote work. During the pandemic, law firms are re-evaluating billing structures and
cost cutting measures. With furloughs and layoffs, attorneys are now looking to leverage
remote work and collaboration among their peers, resulting in a cultural shift. This begs
the question of how this shift will play out in the future? In a May 2020 law firm survey,
Loeb Leadership reports that 85% of their respondents are confident that they can continue
to remain productive while working from home, and 67% would like their jobs to stay
remote. Some measure of in-office / in-person interactions will likely always be necessary,
so in addition to policy, law firms must embrace designs that support employees’ choices
of where and how they work best. We all bring a unique perspective to this discussion, I’d
love to hear from you on what you see for the future of working remote and law design
following the pandemic.

See our Return to Work Guide + Checklist at: eua.com/ReturnToWork

COVID-19 INSIGHTS

WE RECOGNIZE THAT OUR CLIENTS ARE FACED WITH MANY
UNCERTAINTIES AND CHANGE AS THE PANDEMIC EVOLVES. OUR NUMBER
O N E GOAL I S TO B E T H E R E F O R OU R C LIENT S, OFFERING T HE S U PPORT,
GUIDANCE AND LEADERSHIP THAT PEOPLE EXPECT FROM EUA.

With the residual impact and the changing needs of the market
environments we support − workplace, industrial, learning,
healthcare, science + technology, living and community − we
continue to refine our approach, services and solutions. With safety
and well-being at the forefront of these industry sectors, we are
researching, innovating and sharing ideas on how we can deliver
design solutions to support our clients’ unique and evolving needs.

Learn more at: eua.com/Covid19Insights

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PANDEMIC DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
In addition to the thought leadership and presentations that can be found on our COVID-19 Insights page (eua.
com/covid19insights). EUA has created research-based market specific guides to help clients navigate the

now, near and far on the future of design in workplace, healthcare and K-12 design.

TODAY

5 OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE
LOBBY DESIGN IN RESPONSE
TO PANDEMICS

As this pandemic continues to unfold, we have identified opportunities
for holistic design solutions for building lobbies and entrances. If the
design of building lobbies can more adequately control infection,
preventing it from progressing beyond the lobby and making the
space feel clean, then the building will be a healthier place in which
to live, work, learn and heal.

Read the full blog at: eua.com/LobbyDesignPostPandemic

LBA REALTY - LOBBY REPOSITIONING
LBA Realty is a full service real estate investment and management company. With a prominent Class A office
building in the Denver Tech Center, the company engaged EUA to reposition the building’s entry to communicate
a modern workspace for tenants and accommodate their younger clientele. Capturing the energy and creativity of
the surrounding area, the design reimagines the indoor and outdoor spaces and provides employees choice and
connections to the outdoors.

To learn more, visit: eua.com/LBARealty

EXPERT INSIGHTS: BRIAN PITTMAN, RA, AIA

FREE ADDRESS AS AN UNEXPECTED
WORKPLACE STRATEGY IN A
POST COVID-19 WORLD

Sharing a work setting seems counterintuitive when thinking about
spreading germs, but with Free Address it can actually be easier than
ever to keep the workplace clean and ready for your employees.
And with many companies feeling financial strain due to the current
economy or the need to increase social distancing for those who do
come in, a free address model (in part or in full) could help reduce
costs or at the very least, allow more space between seats. It can also
setup an organization to react nimbly in an ever-changing world.

Read the full blog at eua.com/FreeAddress

SHERIDAN ROSS
Sheridan Ross, an intellectual property and patent law firm, had been operating in two offices and
decided to consolidate their team into a single location at their downtown Denver office to improve
efficiencies and maximize cost savings.To promote transparency and enhance daylight, finishes
were transformed from dark, heavy wood to a bright, fresh palette and demonstrates the importance
of interactions amongst colleagues and the value Sheridan Ross places on their employees.

To learn more, visit: eua.com/SheridanRoss

EUA SPOTLIGHT

L I LY VA N B U S K I R K Project Specialist
workplace

eua.com/LilyVB
[email protected]
303.256.1123

Architecture is much like solving a puzzle; I enjoy seeing how people relate and engage
with a space and then looking for opportunities to design the best solution that fits their
needs. From the initial client meeting to final completion, my favorite part of the project is
seeing the end result and getting that hug from a client for putting the pieces together and
creating a space that is uniquely their own.

L AU R E N K R I T T E R Marketing Coordinator : Graphic Designer
environmental branding

eua.com/LaurenK
[email protected]
414.298.2205

As a graphic designer, I focus on creating holistic, thoughtful designs that engage with our
community. Through my work, I look to find new ways to convey our firm’s mission, to share
client stories and to communicate with employees and our clients. We have an opportunity
to shape lives with our architecture and it’s important we get the message out.

K H A L I L S AU F E E Project Specialist
workplace

eua.com/KhalilS
[email protected]
303.256.1160

Differing styles and diverse experiences coming together is one of the great things about
the project teams at EUA; our combined skills create unparalleled work. I am a meticulous
observer – I like going over a set of drawings in detail to ensure the work is as it should
be, ensuring a smooth road ahead. With my expertise in VR, I enjoy creating 3D views of
projects to better aid our clients in visualizing the end results of their space.

STERLING RANCH CIVIC CENTER
The first commercial building within the Sterling Ranch master planned community, EUA designed this modern
civic center, taking inspiration from the surrounding landscape.The civic center is created to be an iconic landmark
within this new community and features business and community space, healthcare tenant, coffee shop / bar and
exhibit hall. Located centrally within the development, this center offers flexible gathering space for events and acts
as a hub for the entire community

To learn more, visit: eua.com/SterlingRanch

R YA N WA L L AC E AIA, LEED AP
Denver Studio Director | Architect
EUA (formerly Burkettdesign)
[email protected] | 303.256.1149

1899 Wynkoop Street, Suite 300 | Denver, CO 80202

eua.com

denver : milwaukee : madison


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