Office 
Legal
Design and Build
6500 sq ft
6 Weeks
Return to Case StudiesLodders
A City Centre Landmark in Workplace Transformation
Lodders Solicitors, a law firm on a growth trajectory, had successfully expanded from a local practice to a significant regional player, attracting top talent and opening new branch offices along the way. However, as the firm grew, its main office space became increasingly unsuitable, and rather than facilitating progress, it started to impede it. Lodders faced challenges around space limitations, a shift in working habits rendering the meeting room provisions outdated, and a growing sense of disconnection among staff. Recognising that their office was no longer fit for purpose, Lodders enlisted Rhino Interiors Group to help reimagine their workplace strategy for the hybrid working era.
Initial Drivers
As Lodders expanded its team, the office became overcrowded, with large, assigned desks for each staff member limiting flexibility and adaptability. The building had reached its capacity, offering no room for social spaces or flexible working areas. Additionally, the kitchen facilities were inadequate to accommodate the firm’s expanding team, diminishing opportunities for socialising and collaboration, and putting the firm’s valued “family feel” at risk.
As the firm adapted to hybrid working, the nature of its meetings shifted significantly. Staff increasingly required small, soundproof spaces with advanced technology like video conferencing screens. However, the firm’s existing meeting rooms were designed for large, in-person meetings of 8–10 people, with poor acoustic privacy and little to no modern technology.
Look & feel
A Mix of Flexible Meeting Spaces: Rhino introduced a variety of meeting rooms, from small, soundproof booths ideal for virtual calls to larger conference rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology. This mix of spaces allowed for seamless hybrid collaboration, meeting the firm’s needs for both in-person and virtual meetings.
Enhanced Social and Kitchen Areas: Recognising the importance of staff engagement and social interaction, Rhino created new kitchen and social spaces where employees could gather, relax, and bond. These areas were designed to bring back the family atmosphere that Lodders valued so much.
Bookable Workspaces and Growth Areas: To address the firm’s space constraints, Rhino introduced bookable office rooms and flexible growth/event spaces, providing the adaptability Lodders needed for future expansion. This design also ensured that staff from branch offices had clear places to work when visiting the main office.
Desk Pools and Zoning: The new office layout featured desk pools, with areas zoned for ‘Residents’ (full-time office workers), ‘Regulars’ (hybrid workers), plus occasional visitors from other branches. This zoning gave
Key Challenges
Faced with complex challenges such as disconnected staff, outdated meeting rooms, remote work spaces and rigid layouts, Faced with these complex challenges, Lodders Solicitors partnered with Rhino Interiors Group to create a workspace that would support their current needs and future goals. Rhino’s People & Place workplace consulting tools were pivotal in helping Lodders understand the underlying issues within their office and how to address them.
In pictures
The result
Rhino Interiors Group’s partnership with Lodders Solicitors has led to the creation of a modern, adaptable workspace that supports the firm’s culture, facilitates hybrid working, and promotes future growth. Through the People & Place Study, Rhino’s team delivered a thoughtful and well-executed solution that directly addressed the firm’s unique challenges.
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