The world of work is experiencing an extraordinary transformation.

As workplaces across the country, including law firms, adapt to the hybrid world, changes are inevitable. This begs the question: How do you still make long-term real estate decisions, knowing the future is unpredictable?

While there will always be an element of uncertainty about what tomorrow holds, if you take the time to look at the existing data within your organization, overlay that with your firm culture and real estate goals, and incorporate elements that provide your spaces with greater agility, you will be as prepared as you can be to weather any storm.

Here are five key strategies that have helped firms reach their goals while preparing for the unknown.

Flexible Schedules Mean Flexible Spaces

As law firms increasingly embrace flexible work schedules, the tradition of assigning one dedicated seat to each employee becomes harder to justify. In turn, we are witnessing a surge in innovative solutions for individual office space, aimed at supporting equitable workplace cultures while simultaneously reducing the overall real estate footprint.

In this new era of hybrid work, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. There will be different considerations for layout depending on the company’s size and culture, among other characteristics.

Many firms are exploring and experimenting with various layout options to shift their office setups to accommodate hybrid schedules. For example, some offices may incorporate a large percentage of unassigned spaces and employ online reservation systems for employees to log on and select their space for the day.

Other offices may be designed to cater to the employee needs of today, while anticipating changes for organizational growth.

Some firms are implementing private offices and individual workstations that satisfy current employee needs, but in the event more people are hired, they will opt to pivot rather than expand, increasing flexible spaces to accommodate more employees in the office. Examples of these varied workspaces include repurposing areas of the office as flexible working spaces for transient employees, or even assigning two associates to one office.

Many law firms are embracing the hub-and-spoke model to support hybrid work and adapt to the reduction of amenities available in major cities. Within this model, firms maintain a smaller office in a large city center, while also establishing additional office spaces in proximity to their attorney populations, often in more suburban areas.

These strategies showcase the many approaches firms can take to optimize their environments and meet the needs of their workforce.

Celebrating Individuality and Company Culture

In a shift away from comparing themselves to the competition, firms are now prioritizing the support and celebration of their unique culture, clients and employees.

Years ago, many law firms displayed an interest in emulating the perks and amenities offered by their competitors, striving to match or exceed them. Today, these firms are shifting their focus toward their individual employees, carefully assessing their specific needs and tailoring their workplace design accordingly.

Design solutions are being customized to accommodate individual preferences, empowering employee control over factors such as acoustics, temperature, lighting and posture, while still upholding overarching firm standards. This approach ensures that each workspace reflects the distinct identity and needs of the firm while maintaining a harmonious environment.

Incorporating elements such as branded environmental graphics, carefully selected accessories, lighting, rugs and sound settings aims to create a welcoming and comfortable environment reminiscent of home, all while honoring a cohesive aesthetic. In today’s hybrid landscape, it is crucial to empower employees with autonomy and freedom to select spaces that align with their preferences. By offering spaces that allow individualization, law firms can effectively attract and retain in-office employees.

Prioritizing Agility With Employee Attendance

Open and collaborative spaces are rising to accommodate fluctuating in-person employee attendance.

A seat in the workplace is no longer defined as a private office or a workstation. Seats can take shape in huddle rooms, phone rooms, quiet zones, cafes and more as long as it provides a comfortable place to be plugged in. This flexibility allows organizations to accommodate those working days when there’s an influx of people in the office, while still reducing the overall footprint.

Formalized meeting spaces should have the capabilities to evolve into multifunctional areas that can provide large-scale internal and external events. By incorporating movable walls, along with softer elements like rugs, drapery, decorative lighting and background music, these offices can transform into welcoming environments with an inviting atmosphere. Additionally, proximity to employee cafe spaces, coffee stations and outdoor areas should be strategically considered, adding to their convenience and appeal.

These multipurpose spaces should be considered essential for hybrid employees as offices implement change.

For example, when renovating a law firm, three large private offices can easily be converted into one large open space for employees to utilize, with the addition of private phone rooms, a TV with surrounding furniture for virtual meetings, and varied spaces for heads-down independent work.

In this example, a space that once could only accommodate three people can now satisfy 10 or more employees at a time. Spaces like these are incredibly useful for hybrid employees, summer associates, visiting attorneys and retired partners.

Hybrid Amenities Catering to Employee Needs

We’ve discovered that employees generally gravitate toward spaces that draw inspiration from hospitality settings, evoking the ambiance of a tranquil law library or their favorite local coffee shop. The reason for this preference is that they want to be a part of a community while maintaining anonymity.

When adding new spaces to the office, it’s important to keep this in mind while also providing ample access to natural light and scenic views to create a pleasant and stimulating work environment.

Due to the reduction of food options in major city centers over the last few years, firms are looking inward to provide more convenience to their employees.

Examples of this include small-scale pantries or designated areas for serving soups, sandwiches and small plates. Additionally, staffed coffee bars, enhanced self-service options and warmed food lockers are being introduced to accommodate employee needs and adapt to the increase in food delivery services.

Another emerging trend is the rise in concierge services, which encompass a range of convenient offerings such as dry cleaning assistance, room setup and scheduling support. Additionally, wellness rooms are a common request to accommodate activities like stretching, praying or even taking short naps.

By providing these amenities, firms aim to enhance the overall employee experience and prioritize their well-being, creating a holistic and supportive environment.

Technology-Driven Design in Law Firms

Beyond mere so-called Zoom rooms with improved acoustics, lighting and furniture arrangements, the need for in-office technology is critical. Today, it is essential to upgrade spaces to facilitate virtual court appearances, as well as to communicate with peers who are working from home.

These areas must be equipped with one-touch connectivity, ensuring seamless integration with virtual platforms. Careful attention should be given to sound quality, microphones, lighting and green screens to optimize the virtual courtroom experience. Additionally, height-adjustable surfaces and advanced technology can be incorporated to enhance functionality.

For example, mock trial rooms should incorporate cameras and wall-mounted screens, movable furniture and even holograms to provide a more immersive and realistic environment for trial simulations. Within this digital landscape, technology must drive the design of these spaces rather than being added as an afterthought.

In conclusion, as law firms across the country adapt to flexible work, there is an exciting pivot in how offices are designed. It is encouraging to see the shift from wanting to implement what competitors had, to seeking out unique solutions for each firm’s specific employees and culture.

By conducting employee research, surveys and feedback sessions, each organization can have custom-made solutions that work for their team. Whether that be fully unassigned offices, all private offices or a mixture of both, it is important for hybrid law firms to consider individuality, amenities and technology within the space.

PHILADELPHIA – February 27, 2023 — Award-winning architecture, design, and strategy firm NELSON Worldwide is excited to announce the addition of Karen Pelzer as Senior Project Manager, Hospitality. Karen will provide guidance and support to the hospitality team as well as champion project success.

“Karen brings with her an incredible amount of knowledge and experience in architecture and design within the hospitality industry,” notes chairman and Chief Executive Officer at NELSON Worldwide John “Ozzie” Nelson Jr. “Her innate ability to shift perspectives and look at a project as both a designer and an operator is invaluable to the practice.”

Dedicated to thoughtful leadership and holistically supporting the team, Karen taps into her teaching experience at Drexel University, coaching others on how to optimize an interior environment to make “a place from space.” Karen draws inspiration from hotels and restaurants around the world, finding herself easily immersed in the slightest details and nuanced finishes, and absorbing her surroundings like a sponge.

“It is such an honor to be a part of NELSON, working alongside such an inspired team,” remarks Karen. “I firmly believe that hard work and passion for hospitality and design are the tools for success, and I am excited for all that’s to come from this new role.”

Karen has led and managed design teams for decades, including at Daroff Design and Loews Hotels, as well as helped develop the hospitality design curriculum at Drexel University where she taught restaurant design and full-service boutique hotel design studio courses to both undergraduate and graduate students. She has helped develop restaurants, hotels, resorts, and more throughout her career, including Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort as well as Loews Philadelphia Hotel, plus on-site SoleFood Restaurant. Karen has a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design as well as a Master of Science in Hospitality Management from Drexel University, and holds a NCIDQ certification. She was previously NEWH Chapter President – Atlantic City-Philadelphia Region, from 2015-2016. 

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About NELSON Worldwide

NELSON Worldwide is an award-winning firm, boldly transforming all dimensions of the human experience through architecture, interior design, graphic design, and brand strategy. With more than 700 teammates across 20 offices, the firm’s collective network provides strategic and creative solutions that positively impact where people work, serve, play, and thrive. The team combines industry knowledge, service expertise, and geographic reach to deliver projects across the country and around the world. Client partnerships across the NELSON network include Hilton, Macy’s, Comcast, Simon Property Group, Prologis, Yum! Brands, Boston Consulting Group, T-Mobile, Emory Healthcare, SAP Fieldglass, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Kroger, Hyatt, Bayer, Target, and many more.

The amenity war rages on, but today’s workplace offerings have never been more wide-ranging. From virtual programming to convenience-based apps, employers looking to differentiate are having to reimagine what constitutes an amenity. The pandemic has shifted consumer behavior and the role of the workplace and soon it will be up to brands to create a differentiated foundation for programming, engagement, and collaboration that employees not only want to return to but cannot be replicated at home. The traditional definition of amenities will expand to support lifestyles – both in and outside of the physical office – and successful future perks will be a blend of digital offerings and experiential environments.

Virtual Equity

From virtual coffee meetings to subsidizing health-related apps, employers are using tech to keep staff connected with more dynamic teams than ever before. The pandemic has created a new blended workplace that will need to thrive for future company success. And that means not only offering virtual amenities, but providing those that better help bridge the gap between the remote worker and the physical office. Consider social networking apps like Houseparty that encourage serendipitous video chats between blended teammates or virtual office platforms like Cosmos that add a layer of gaming to employee collaboration, allowing users to actually create a custom aviator. There are plenty of options, find a solution that fits your unique brand to better address the future of dynamic collaboration for all teammates. 

Flexible Futures

Amenities can’t be a one-size-fits-all solution, the offerings must allow employees to customize based on their needs, job responsibilities, and even region. While teammates in urban settings may prioritize an app that expedites their commute, like a membership to RideAmigos or JumpBikes, employees in the suburbs might prefer an on-site yoga room or Zoom studio. Consider conducting employee surveys to understand your teammate breakdown to provide more relevant offerings. Employee satisfaction will stem from feeling in control of their environment – especially after such an out-of-control year. The more choice you can offer teammates, the better position you’ll be in to attract and retain top talent. 

Innovate F&B

Brands will need to get creative to offer a differentiated food and beverage experience for their employees, with safety in mind. Consider win-win partnerships with local restaurants, food trucks, catering apps like Relish, and even cloud kitchens, to offer employees unique, localized food offerings in a more controlled environment. Create dedicated drop-off zones for food delivery with warming drawers, refrigerators, and disposable utensils to reduce touches and streamline the process.

All Season Entertainment

With so many employees embracing the working from home experiment, the role of the office is shifting. While heads-down work can easily be accomplished at home, the office will be need to be transformed into a social destination – an experiential hub for brands, dedicated to hosting clients, encouraging employee engagement, and facilitating teammate collaboration – and amenities will need to follow suit. Consider creating more elevated, year-round spaces that can flex depending on the occasion (don’t forget after-hour usage) and get employees excited about an excuse to return to the office. 

Wandering Wellness

A healthy lifestyle is nothing new, but a renewed focus on holistic, outdoor wellness will reign supreme in the coming years. Create differentiated amenities like hiking trails, dedicated meditation areas, or artificial turf for multi-purpose events and activities, to allow your employees to unwind and recharge in a safe environment. If you’re short on square footage, consider app subscriptions for on-demand content like Headspace, LulaFit, or Peloton.

Elevated Convenience

During the pandemic, most consumers quickly adjusted to relying on amenities once thought to be indulgent. From grocery delivery to virtual doctor visits and direct-to-consumer movie screenings, we became reliant on these elevated services at the touch of a button. This increased expectation on convenience will not go away with the pandemic and employers will need to address this learned behavior with frictionless offerings for employees. Think of concierge service-type apps that can schedule doctor appointments, food delivery, dry-cleaning, order office supplies or corporate gifts. 

As the world continues to rapidly shift in the wake of the pandemic, the travel industry has a unique opportunity to leverage this lull to reimagine the passenger experience. Not only to create resilient environments that provide guests with confidence and control, but offer travelers a compelling experience that’s as memorable and engaging as their final destination. From the retail offerings, to unique, differentiated amenities, an airport that distinguishes itself from the rest will have a competitive edge for years to come.

#1: Authentically Local

Consumers are traveling with a desire to experience cultures different from their own. Airports have the opportunity to use this desire to their advantage and offer unique experiences that immerse travelers in the locale, both at arrival and departure. Going beyond simple aesthetics, airports should find ways to offer meaningful community support or partnerships to create a sense of place and cultural appreciation. Set the bar high with exclusive experiences that set the tone for their travels, and leave visitors craving more.

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Far Horizon:

World cultures integrate themselves into the airports

• GLOBAL PORTALS: Gates develop augmented reality windows that act as “portals” to the destination. Travelers can interact with people at their destination and vice versa.
• LOCALIZED FARE: Chain restaurants are replaced by concepts that bring the local flair into the traditionally homogenized airport environment.
• EXPERIENCE CULTURE: Rentable pods within the airport are available to travelers that immerse themselves in the culture of various destinations, e.g. karaoke pods to help represent Japanese karaoke culture.

#2: Creating an Ecosystem

Airports must evolve to become more self-sufficient environments that enable travelers to have more control over their experiences. As expectations of service and amenities have accelerated during the pandemic, airports of the future must become more convenient, functional, and efficient developments to meet consumer demands. Unlike struggling malls, airports have a constant source of captive traffic, so the focus will shift from making money from airlines, to making money from the passengers in terms of commercial revenue, through more service-based offerings.

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Far Horizon:

Airports and the areas surrounding them become self-contained cities

• PACK LESS: Consumers no longer pack for their trips as they rent clothing from sources like Rent The Runway and pick up their options in the airport upon arrival.
• MOBILE EATS: UberEats or similar partnerships allow for mobile food orders to be delivered to locations within the airport or set for pick up at a gate before or after a flight.
• SERVICE BOOM: Elevated amenities that have become a commonplace during COVID-19 like food delivery, meal kit pickups, or streaming on-demand fitness become expected airport offerings.

#3: Elevated Experiences 

Many travelers will embrace the ‘Travel Less, Travel Better’ mantra in the coming months and years, being more discerning with their plans while looking for opportunities to upgrade the experience. From business travelers to jet-setting millennials, airports can appeal to this need by offering exclusive amenities that cater to this growing market looking for premium, private, or unique perks.

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Far Horizon:

Travel may be less frequent, but guests will look for premium offerings

• CONVENIENT COLLECTING: Gate pods will deliver items such as toiletries, food, or other necessities so travelers don’t need to carry them or include in their carry-on bag.
• THE NEW VIP: As the areas around airports develop with restaurants and entertainment options, services derived from hospitality spaces will become more common – including expedited transportation packages for users with security clearance from restaurant/hotel–to–gate.
• PREMIUM PRIVACY: Business and luxury travelers will look for more private spaces to relax and recharge away from the crowds – think nap pods, exclusive lounges, and private spa offerings.

#4: Holistic Health

WELL-certified environments have grown increasingly popular in recent years and that desire will only accelerate post-pandemic. Travelers will be looking for both visual and non-visual cues that an airport is fresh, clean, and safe. Providing more spaces that encourage holistic wellness will go a long way in strengthening guest confidence. From indoor gardens, to rooftop lounges, to private meditation rooms, airports will need to cater to stressed travelers looking for an opportunity to relax and recharge in a safe environment.

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Far Horizon:

Emerging wellness trends become mainstream and easily accessible

• THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Secure, outdoor space will become an expected offering for passengers – from outdoor dining facilities to public rooftop pavilions.
• ELEVATED TRACKS: Indoor tracks that are elevated above the terminal are accessible to those who want to exercise without being confined.
• SENSORY FITNESS: Immersive rooms can be rented out and change in theme to leave the user feeling transported and provide additional health benefits.

#5: Adaptive Environments

As touchscreen technology continues to decline, travelers will rely on their mobile devices to help navigate their journeys. This provides an excellent opportunity for airports to become the true curators of the passenger experience. From check-in, to dining, to entertainment, airports can utilize adaptive technology with inputs from mobile devices to make the experience more relevant and meaningful. The ability to create dynamic experiences through environments that adapt to consumer mood, flight schedule, location, and even weather, will be a true differentiator.

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Far Horizon:

Customers regain control of each step in their travel experience

• FLEXIBLE FURNITURE: Gates have flexible seating that changes based on the type of traveler coming through – conversational layouts for families or individual seating for solo travelers.
• PERSONALIZED ENVIRONMENTS: Consumers have the ability change their own environments in seating locations including the heat, airflow, and even aromatherapy scent.
• THEMED ZONES: Gates and terminals develop themes through lighting, seating styles, and digital graphics that adapt to the time of day, season, and flight destinations.

#6 Cultural Influencers

From sustainability initiatives to social movements, airports have a unique opportunity to be part of the conversation. Leveraging a captive audience and an expansive platform will fuel partnerships with private brands, local government, or even non-profits to bring a unique environment and message to life. These temporary activations not only create an exclusive destination but can also be an opportunity for new revenue streams, premium experiences, and PR buzz.

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Far Horizon:

Becoming a more socially-minded platform

• BRANDED EXPERIENCE: Gates or terminals have brand sponsors, creating unique environments that celebrate their product or service, relevant to travelers.
• TARGETED FUNDRAISING: National agencies like the National Park Service provide unique activations within applicable airports that can bring awareness or funds to their cause.
• SOCIAL VOICE: Messaging in support of various social causes will be implemented within airports giving these initiatives a more global stage.

NEW YORK — September 26, 2022 — NELSON Worldwide, award-winning architecture, design, and strategy firm, welcomes Kyle McVicker as Account Director and Studio Leader. With ten-plus years of experience in operations, project, and program management, Kyle will oversee projects from start to finish, manage the complex aspects of a build-out, and deliver tangible, innovative results.

“Kyle is adaptive, priority-focused, and communicative,” says Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at NELSON Worldwide, John “Ozzie” Nelson Jr. “His consideration for the long-term aspects of each project, agility within unforeseen circumstances, and the ability to pivot easily to ensure a project stays on target makes him an excellent addition to the team at NELSON.”

Kyle is passionate about understanding the client’s goals and desires for both the function and design of the project and ensuring the final product articulates this vision. Thoughtful and engaged client communication is his strong suit, and he intends to implement these skills throughout every facet of his new role. His human-centric approach to project management will integrate seamlessly with NELSON’s strive to extend beyond the final project and continue developing collaborative and long-lasting partnerships with clients.

“NELSON provides a creative method of project delivery while offering clients a new and unique end-to-end product in the market,” notes Kyle. “As someone constantly seeking new ways to challenge myself and learn within the industry, I am excited to contribute to NELSON’s mission to build long-term client relationships and deliver industry-changing projects.”

Kyle’s well-versed experience in various levels of project management prepared him for this new role. After receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Baltimore, Kyle entered the design and architecture industry, which fueled his passion for project delivery. Under Kyle’s leadership as Project Manager for a WeWork PxWe product, his team delivered over one million square feet of commercial interiors for enterprise clients such as Amazon, Google, UBS, Bank of America, Toast, eZcater, and Bombas. More recently, Kyle served as the Senior Project Manager of Global Workplace and Real Estate at Rockstar Games. Kyle was responsible for building out and delivering the real estate and workplace project management team in this role.

His passion for the industry comes from witnessing the entirety of a project, from the initial architectural designs to the interior layout, to the completed build-out of the product. Inspired by the expansiveness of the industry and how teams continually create new forms of innovation, Kyle will work with the talent, resources, and skills of the NELSON team to offer clients something entirely new within the industry.

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About NELSON Worldwide

NELSON Worldwide is an award-winning firm, transforming all dimensions of the human experience through architecture, interior design, graphic design, and brand strategy services. With more than 800 teammates spread across 20 offices, the firm’s collective network provides strategic and creative solutions that positively impact where people work, serve, play, and thrive. The team combines industry knowledge, service expertise, and geographic reach to deliver projects across the country and around the world. Client partnerships across the NELSON network include: Hilton, Macy’s, Comcast, Simon Property Group, Prologis, Yum! Brands, Boston Consulting Group, T-Mobile, Emory Healthcare, SAP Fieldglass, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Kroger, Hyatt, Bayer, Target, and many more.

In today’s fast-paced world, where time is a precious commodity, the convenience store industry has experienced unprecedented growth with expectations the market will reach $3.12 trillion by 2028. Convenience stores have emerged as the go-to destinations for consumers seeking instant access to a wide array of products and services.

The surge in convenience store popularity can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the relentless pursuit of convenience itself. With extended operating hours, strategic locations, and compact store formats, these establishments are designed to fit seamlessly into busy lifestyles. They provide a convenient shopping experience, eliminating the need for time-consuming trips to larger supermarkets.

Secondly, convenience stores have evolved beyond their traditional offerings, diversifying their product ranges to cater to an ever-expanding customer base. From everyday essentials to fresh food, ready-to-eat meals, and even specialty items, they offer a one-stop solution for various consumer needs. By adapting their product offerings to align with changing preferences, convenience stores have captured a larger market share.

Technological advancements have played a significant role in driving convenience store growth with the integration of apps, self-checkout systems, mobile or “just walk out” payment options, and online ordering for pickup or delivery has enhanced the overall customer experience. These innovations not only streamline transactions but also cater to the preferences of tech-savvy consumers who value efficiency and convenience.

Moreover, the convenience store growth is further fueled by the rising demand for on-the-go options. With an increasing number of individuals seeking quick meal solutions and grab-and-go snacks, convenience stores have capitalized on this trend. They offer a diverse range of fresh, ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and beverages, allowing consumers to satisfy their cravings promptly.

Lastly, urbanization and population density have played a significant role in the growth of convenience stores. With more people living in cities and densely populated areas, convenience stores have strategically positioned themselves to be easily accessible, serving as neighborhood hubs for everyday needs.