Talking to Each Other Helps Lawyers Do Their Best Work, HOK article says

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Catherine Haley, director of interior design for the Washington office of HOK, a global architectural firm that specializes in planning, design and delivery solutions for buildings and communities, says designing law offices that stimulate casual and informal interaction creates improved productivity, job satisfaction and performance.

According to the April 19 press release at PR Newswire, Ms. Haley’s research, featured in a lead article in the newly published 2010 Legal Industry Council Benchmarking report from the International Facility Management Association, discusses how designing environments that compel attorneys and staff members to talk to each other helps lawyers do their best work.

“Indeed, there’s a business imperative of fostering informal interaction,” says Ms. Haley, who has 20 years plus experience in strategy and design of work environments. “If partners and associates stay in their offices with the doors closed, or if the only opportunities for the exchange of ideas and insights are through formal meetings and discussions, the knowledge management systems of law firms are stifled by lack of communication and the result is a less effective and less productive work product.

  

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The best way to incorporate true interaction, states Ms. Haley, is to create “a space to foster casual social interaction ‘by accident.’

Founded in 1955, HOK is committed to developing resources and expertise to help lead the world toward sustainable communities and building environments.  The firm’s expertise includes architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, lighting, graphics, facilities planning and assessment and construction services.