Kingsley Napley

When legal firm Kingsley Napley developed a business strategy projecting 33% growth, a new accommodation strategy was required. They commissioned KKS to provide workplace consultancy to assist the partnership in reaching a consensus on their real estate requirements. A decision to relocate at lease expiry – in 2020 – was unanimous, after KKS proved that the existing campus of office space, even undergoing refurbishment, would not support the firm in aligning their business strategy with their workplace aspirations, recruitment and retention objectives.

To address the stress points revealed by our workplace review, KKS implemented a light refurbishment programme which has provided space fit to accommodate growth until relocation is activated. The first element in this programme was to pilot open-plan, fee-earner workspace.

Completed in September 2015, a pilot floor trialled two workplace strategies: studio open plan and dynamic open-plan layout. A variety of meeting, collaboration, quiet and social space support both work settings. The design also addresses a number of environmental issues highlighted during the review: a lack of natural light, cleanliness, comfort, order, poor filing systems and lack of ability to collaborate.

The second phase of the refurbishment, finished January 2017, included an annex building, Eagle Court, which has five floors of office space designed to accommodate support staff. The ground floor of Knights Quarter, the main building, now has a redesigned client-facing reception area and meeting suite.

KKS value add:

Restack and refurbishment to part agile working allowed Kingsley Napley to stay put for three more years.

Pilot testing of open plan from cellular has convinced the partnership to change for the future.