DWF GLOBAL LEGAL BUSINESS
New Name. Same Team.
As Whitelaw Twining’s became part of DWF, we had a unique opportunity to elevate the firm’s standards while responding directly to the needs of the local team. Designed first and foremost for employees, the new space balances privacy, focus, and celebrates a renewed sense of belonging.
PROJECT
20,000 Sq. Ft.
ADDRESS
123 Front St. W. 8th floor, Toronto
REQUIREMENTS
HYBRID & PRIVATE SPACES
An office to support confidential work without reverting to the rigidity of a traditional layout.
ACOUSTIC COMFORT
A high level of sound control to maintain confidentiality throughout the space.
MATERIALITY & ATMOSPHERE
A palette of natural woods, soft neutrals layered with greenery, and thoughtful lighting.
GROWTH STRATEGY
A workplace planned for the future to allow for expansion without major reconfigurations.
SOLUTION
A future-ready workspace guided by how the team works day-to-day. Layered with hoteling-style details, open collaboration zones and adaptable spaces.
The new office reflects a modern approach to legal work. It moves away from rigid formality, using refined materials and thoughtful design to support focus, flexibility, and discretion.
HYBRID & PRIVATE SPACES
A NEW ERA OF LEGAL WORK
Even though we moved away from a traditional assigned-office model, we still prioritized privacy by creating a flexible multipurpose room.
Doors and movable partitions open into adjacent lounges, creating an interconnected sequence of spaces that can shift from team meetings and community events.
QUIET CONFIDENCE
ACOUSTIC COMFORT
Because so much of the team’s work involves virtual hearings and confidential conversation, acoustic performance was essential.
The space incorporates high-performance STC 45+ wall assemblies, double-glazed storefront systems in select areas, and carefully coordinated spaces to prevent sound transfer between rooms and corridors.
MATERIALITY & ATMOSPHERE
CALM FOR HIGH-STAKES WORK
Wood slat walls and mesh screens create privacy without blocking daylight. We introduced felt and applications to improve acoustic comfort, and support the calm background that lawyers require.
Transparent and semi-transparent architectural elements preserve sight lines and allow light to move freely through the workplace, while south-facing workstations benefit from consistent natural daylight. We also introduced Biophilia elements soften the environment.
GROWTH STRATEGY
BUILD TO EXPAND
We designed every room as a “kit-of-parts” (furniture, tech, storage, and partitions) so they can scale, re-balance, and repurpose space over time without disruption.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
