Bird Semple are private client lawyers.  This implies numerous small jobs, individuals working autonomously and requiring access to countless files.  In other words the pattern of work called for a considerable degree of enclosure.  At the same time there was a desire to make the offices brighter and more open looking, all within the familiar limited budget.  The building provided its own challenges  being a new building behind a retained Victorian façade with high ceilings and irregularly positioned windows.  To keep proportions looking sensible and to try and break down the bulk of the solid partitioning, walls have an added thickness of panelling at low level, echoing the old cornice lines.