This sleek new office is on the second story of an existing building within the historic campus of the Liberty Station NTC in San Diego. The U.K.-based Intellectual Property Law firm, named EIP, hired KMA to work closely with their corporate designer to create a corporate atmosphere that is consistent with their other branches in the world.

The office tenant improvement required the almost total demolition of the previous tenant space completing an 8,100 SF improved area with minor improvements made to existing data systems. The design utilizes real oak wood floors as an earthy element in contrast to the extensive glazing and metals set against a generally white space. This juxtaposition of materials reinforces the breadth of EIP’s practice in architectural practice. The consistency of materials creates a uniform company experience as employees from office in the UK, Germany and now in California can all video conference from what appears to be the same office. (the sun behind the California employees is probably the only noticeable difference!)

The space plan was derived from the office culture & has a mostly open floor plan with total visibility from all corners whether in a conference room, private office or in the open office. This transparency of materials assists with the flood of natural daylight to the interiors as well as encourages the casual but professional corporate atmosphere that is EIP.

Because the corporate design team is based in the UK, many systems and key details ideas had to be imported to maintain consistency. It was a unique challenge to the team in San Diego to take those systems and details and apply them to local trades. This is proudly the first project in the U.S.A. to use a special double glazed frame system called iWall.