RLR Lawyers Courtenay Office
Bringing Modernity to the Town of Courtenay
The new location of RLR Lawyers was designed to bring a statement to the town of Courtenay in the Comox Valley. A town full of history, an indigenous core, and heritage buildings through most of the town. RLR was designed to bring modernity to both the law firm that has been around for over 40 years, and to the town that is growing in population quickly in particular with the rise in young-families moving to the area. This is the 3rd location of RLR Lawyers, and they wanted to fill the increasing gap of Northern Island needs, and wanted to do so with a space showing that they are the leading firm on the island.
Concept
The space was designed to bring modern and innovative design to the North Island, but without being too sterile or reminiscent of a busy Vancouver law firm. The partners at RLR Lawyers wanted to take the opportunity of their new location to give a refresh to the image of the brand, and represent themselves as the premier law firm on the island.
Warm wood tones, and soft finishes run throughout the space, with stark contrast to black and white architectural details and cabinetry. The design is rooted around a sleek boardroom centre, enclosed by cross mullioned glazing, and with added privacy through soft and flowing drapery. The lush coastal environment needed to be brought into the space, and the use of large scale greenery inside divides an open work space from the public corridors, separated by the planter boxes behind full height sound proof glazing, and accessed through a modern archway into the open offices. Each office and work station was placed to embrace the exterior views, and created a natural island-like floor plan circulating around the central boardroom reflective of the coastal environment surrounding the Comox Valley.
A custom and local boardroom table by Live Edge Design Inc. was designed to blend local logging influences in the area with a modern profile and simplistic details unlike what can typically be found from locally milled slab tables. "We wanted every aspect of the design to nod local influences and support the local industry, but the goal in every piece was to bring a cutting edge and simple lightness to the space." - Landon Dix
Gentle lighting in the boardroom is cast by the Pipeline 125 by Andlight, and a symmetrical shelving unit surrounds the Samsung Frame TV that is used for client meetings by wireless casting through Google Chrome, and allows anyone in the office to share photos, videos, or documents during a meeting. The Millwork throughout was crafted by Cottonwood Manufacturing Ltd. and construction was carried out diligently by Lacasse Construction of the Comox Valley.
The new Haven line of carpet tiles by Shaw Contract feels so comfortable, it evokes a feeling of home within the space, and pairs seamlessly with the Shaw Inlet line of vinyl flooring used in the reception and kitchen. We wanted the end users and their clients to feel comfortable in the space, as there can be many hard and serious discussions held in a law office.
An Obvious Collaboration
The design was carried out by a thoughtful collaboration between Landon Dix Design Studio and Smythe Studio. Two interior designers from the North Shore that have a long history of working side by side to benefit each detail within the project. Landon Dix and Paige Smythe had gone from high school to studying together at BCIT; following the completion of their interior design program, they worked together at a Vancouver interior design firm before branching into their own business ventures. Each designer brought elements of expertise to every aspect of the project, and the decision to work collaboratively on a commercial space on Vancouver Island together resulted in the success of the space and a reflection of the collaborative work yet to come from the up-and-coming duo.
Design:
Landon Dix Design Studio
604 307 2324
info@landondix.net
www.landondix.net
&
Smythe Studio
778 846 2340
paige@smythestudio.com
www.smythestudio.com
Construction:
Lacasse Construction
250 339 2818
info@lacasseconstruction.ca
www.lacasseconstruction.ca
Project For:
Ramsay Lampman Rhodes Lawyers
250 871 1389
info@rlr.law
www.rlr.law