Coblentz Patch Duffy and Bass, a San Francisco institution that can trace its roots to the turn of the 19th century, desired an environment that would embody their history while implementing contemporary planning concepts that reflect their dynamic culture. The result is a stunning space that transcends the typical law firm experience for clients and guests alike.

The jury remarked that the planning, shared light peaks, and central circulation all work very well. The design choice of a high contrast palette was bold and refreshing and yanked the traditional law firm out of the past. The project dances a clever line between the dynamic and the tranquil, with its fully realized lighting acting as its principal unifying design element. This could so easily have been clumsy, but here it is quite beautiful.