Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C.
Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, the nation’s largest law firm focused exclusively on food, drug, and device law, engaged OTJ Architects to design a new workplace at 1101 K Street NW that would support the firm’s evolving needs while honoring the culture that has defined it for decades. After more than two decades in its previous office, the firm viewed its relocation as an opportunity to right-size its footprint and create a workplace better aligned with hybrid work and future growth. The goal was not to tell the firm’s story entirely through branding, but through an environment that conveyed the trust, expertise, and longevity that have defined its reputation.
Through workplace strategy and program scenario studies, the team explored how the office could best support a hybrid workforce while remaining adaptable for future growth. The opportunity was to create a more efficient footprint that encouraged employees to spend meaningful time together, balancing flexibility, efficiency, and long-term value within a single workplace experience.
Guided by the concept Time-Tested & Trusted, the design positions collegiality at the center of the workplace experience. Visitors arrive in a bright reception area where daylight and framed views establish an immediate sense of openness before transitioning into hospitality and meeting spaces that preserve privacy within the office beyond. For employees, the workplace unfolds as a series of destinations that encourage connection and movement throughout the day. The work café serves as the social heart of the office, while the law library was reimagined as an active hub for focused work and informal collaboration. Richly layered with integrated shelving, acoustically treated seating, and distinctive overhead elements, the space transforms a traditionally utilitarian function into a meaningful part of daily office life.
Throughout the office, timeless materials reinforce the project’s emphasis on longevity and trust. Stone, wood, and carefully crafted millwork provide a foundation of quiet confidence, while abundant daylight, greenery, and a refined palette create a brighter and more welcoming alternative to the traditional law office. Thoughtful attention to acoustics, furnishings, and hospitality amenities supports both concentration and connection. The completed environment reflects the firm’s longstanding belief that enduring expertise is built through the exchange of knowledge, creating a workplace that feels as invested in people and relationships as it is in the work itself.
Location
Washington, DC
Size
19,000 RSF
Industry
Legal
Services
Interiors
The new workplace for a national life science and FDA-focused law firm redefines the office as a catalyst for collegiality, reinforcing a culture built on the exchange of knowledge and ideas.
