LRN - Legal Research Network
Los Angeles
Shubin & Donaldson Architects

Themes of transparency are grounded by raw design elements 

© Tom Bonner

For more photos click on 'photos & drawings' above. To see the people and products behind this project click on 'people & products.'

LRN (Legal Research Network) is a high-profile company that utilizes Internet technologies to create, deliver, and manage legal knowledge for its clients. Openness and natural light were paramount considerations in the new open-plan work area designed to house its staff of 80.

Adapting a former parking garage with large concrete columns into a human-scale work space was challenging. The 28,000-square-foot space is organized around a mainframe computer room, which is fronted with glass on three sides. Poured concrete flooring wraps around the mainframe room and defines the lobby and reception area. For further definition, metal ceiling panels mirror the pattern of the concrete floor, then veer off to penetrate the glass-enclosed conference room, which provides dramatic views of downtown Westwood.

Transparent plastic sheets suspended in floor-to-ceiling aluminum frames maintain views throughout the space and allow natural light to permeate. These plastic "walls" do not touch the ground, giving a feeling of floating lightness. Throughout the space, several fishbowl conference rooms maintain this transparency while allowing for acoustic privacy.

Knoll workstations with a Shoji screen-like pattern complement the design. Workstations as well as aluminum frames add a polished feeling to the raw elements. To make the ceilings appear as high as possible, the architects kept them open and exposed, while accenting the sprinkler lines in bright yellow. This color accent—in a space replete with industrial gray tones and black Aeron chairs—is also found on some of the perimeter walls of the office. 

Formal name of building:
LRN (Legal Research Network)

Location:
Los Angeles, Calif.

Gross square footage: 
5,000 sq ft

Owner: 
Frank Thompson                    

Architect's firm: 
Shubin & Donaldson Architects
629 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
tel. 805-966-2802
Fax 805-966-3002
www.sandarc.com