Rawle & Henderson

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rawle & Henderson, the United States' oldest Law Firm, retained Space Design Incqrporated to assist them in their building selection process and, ultimately, to provide complete Interior Architectural Design Services for their 70,000 square foot expansion and relocation to the Widener Building.

Initially, Rawle & Henderson reviewed lease proposals from nearly 35 Center City office buildings. Utilizing our CADD systems, Rawle & Henderson's standards and our extensive database of law firm components, Space Design Incorporated was able to complete test-fit comparative Space Plans in 13 buildings within one month in order to meet Rawle & Henderson's ambitious schedule for a building selection by January 1, 1989. After nearly 12 months of lease negotiations and preliminary pricing, the project team was faced with a major historical building renovation and Law Office relocation project to be designed, documented, approved by the City's Planning Commission and Morgan Guaranty Bank, and constructed before Rawle & Henderson's existing lease termination in July 1991.

Working closely with the Architects in charge of the restoration project and the building owners, Space Design Incorporated created the opportunity to develop a spectacular three story law library out of previouosly unused space by flooring over and enclosing the existing light well of the building. As the center of the "donut" shaped floor plate, the library has become the focus of nearly the entire office and one of the more dynamic interior spaces in the City.

Space Design Incorporated coordinated several technology consultants and engineers to provide a state-of-the-art universal cabling scheme for the firm's increasingly computerized work environment.

The traditional elements of the newly restored Trumbauer-designed office building inspired the interior details of the Rawle & Henderson space, giving the feeling that their office is the most important space in the building. The richness of cherry wood and brass establish a magnificent, yet functional and highly technological, office that reflects a professional and traditional image in keeping with the firm's position as leading Philadelphia Attorneys.