Sidley Austin London

Following 16 years in a previous location, Sidley Austin’s new London headquarters represents a bold stride towards the future for legal firms, in a workspace that occupies the top eight floors of 70 St Mary’s Axe – a state-of-the-art, iconic building. Gensler was tasked with creating a space which would marry Sidley Austin’s brand identity and focus on quality and heritage, with a forward-looking and progressive workspace, in keeping with its strikingly modern new building.

The headquarters design features a modern use of timber throughout, offset by brass accents, which reference local craft companies and the workplace’s industrial context. A variety of different fabrics and materials pay homage to the local guilds, which manufactured uniforms for the guard. This influence informs the colour palette, which is a sophisticated and urbane tonal spectrum of navy, slate grey, and greens.