Law Firm’s Lansing Office Creates New Flex-Space

How attorneys handle legal research has dramatically changed over the last two decades. Long hours of combing through aisles of bookshelves have given way to robust online libraries that are available 24/7.  This ever upward trend left the law firm Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC with a seldom used space in need of updating at their Lansing office so in September 2017, Foster Swift worked with local businesses Pace Howe Design and DBI to begin renovating the building’s lower level.

The goal: to turn an outdated, traditional law library into a modern, multi-purpose and multi-functional meeting space that is engaging and accessible to clients and employees of the firm. The room is intended to serve as a welcome center, training room and entertainment/event space; providing flexibility for the firm’s ongoing educational, collaborative and networking efforts.

Designed by Pace Howe with DBI delivering the furnishings and installations; the all-new features of the room include mobile furniture, lounge seating, training tables and chairs and powered breakout stations. There is even a shuffle board table and a bar for breaks and social events. “When Foster Swift presented us with their vision of turning an under-utilized room into a modern, collaborative and flexible multi-purpose space, Pace Howe Design was excited to take on the creative challenge,” said Pace Howe Project Designer Megan Stephanic. “The concept behind the project was to use adaptable furniture to create multiple environments within the space while also utilizing colors and finishes that maintained the corporate image of Foster Swift.”

The room is also equipped with full audio/video conferencing capabilities. On February 7, the room had its inaugural event, an educational seminar on updated labor & employment laws for human resources practitioners. Attendance for the event exceeded initial expectations. “Megan did a great job of designing a room that is very versatile,” replied Kim Hafley, Director of Marketing for Foster Swift.  “It can function as a seminar room and within 10 minutes be changed over for a networking event or a board meeting and with 5 large screen TV’s, there’s not a bad seat in the room.”