BakerMcKenzie

The client zone was designed to move naturally into collaboration areas and the communal pantry, giving visitors a clearer view of the firm’s culture and the way the office is used. Glass partitions allow daylight to pass deeper into the plan, helping these connected spaces feel more open and active.

Rather than separating front-of-house, meeting and shared areas into rigid zones, the glazing creates a more fluid relationship between them. This gives the office a lighter, more welcoming character while still allowing each space to hold its own function.

The openness of the workplace still needed to be balanced with the confidentiality required by a global law firm. Revolution 100 double-glazed partitions were used for meeting rooms, offices and other private areas, with two panes of 12mm toughened glass providing acoustic performance of up to Rw45dB.

Optima 36 single-glazed partitions were also specified with 13.14mm acoustic laminated glass, achieving up to Rw38dB. This allowed the project team to use a lighter glazed treatment where appropriate, while still supporting the acoustic requirements of conversations, meetings and focused work.

A mix of door systems was used to suit the different room types across the office. Edge Symmetry doors complete the Revolution 100 and Optima 36 elevations, with the double-glazed configuration achieving up to Rw42dB where higher acoustic privacy was needed.

Axile Clarity doors introduce a frameless entrance detail to selected rooms, while Kinetic Seal sliding doors were used around the breakout and pantry areas to save space and maintain connection when open. Together, the door and partition systems help Baker McKenzie’s Dubai office feel more transparent and collaborative without losing the discretion expected of a legal workplace.

Photography by Yasser Ibrahim