Haynes Boone (HB) is an American Lawyer top 100 law firm, with more than 700 lawyers in 19 offices around the world, providing services for more than 40 major legal practices. In San Francisco, the goal was to optimize their practice workspace, create an innovative flow-through practice area, and improve the experience for visiting clients. STUDIOS worked with HB on the initial real estate decision, helping them evaluate their current office space and alternate sites throughout the city to decide which would best support their needs. It became clear their current space would not accommodate their projected growth and program needs, so we helped them make the decision to relocate to a new space.

Haynes Boone needed their office to provide a genuine and welcoming experience for thier team and clients. The new office occupies the entire 28th floor and boasts unique 360 views of San Francisco and beyond in every room. Inspired by these surroundings, the design team identified iconic places around the city and drew design inspiration from them to inform the overall materials and detailing. The color palette was thoughtfully selected to mirror the surrounding area’s serene and neutral hues—subtle sand tones, soft grays, and cool blues that evoke both the coastal landscape and the region’s iconic fog. These elements seamlessly blend into the design, creating a space that feels rooted in its surroundings, while maintaining a timeless, professional elegance.

The eastern side of the floor houses the public-facing programmatic spaces including main reception, meeting, and lounge.. A striking mural pays homage to the nearby salt flats in San Francisco Bay, capturing the ethereal, wide-open vistas and soft, warm tones of the landscape. Grouped together, these communal spaces create a front of house to receive clients and visitors for intimate discussions and large events.

Planned for efficiency, key work spaces line the remaining perimeter of the floor. Open workstations for support staff are centralized between private attorney offices. This allows easy access for partners, while offering opportunities for collaboration and mentorship. The layout emphasizes a balance between functionality and comfort, with each workstation ergonomically designed to meet the needs of employees, and providing stunning views and natural light for all. In alignment with the reception on the east side of the floor, the pantry and  breakroom are central to the west side of the floor. 

The elegant atmosphere of Haynes Boone’s new San Francisco home offers a supportive environment to help build community within the practice, while also providing a genuine and welcoming experience for clients. Striking a fine balance between sophistication and comfort, the space exudes warmth and hospitality, embodying the firm’s client-first philosophy.