Given the task of creating unique identities for two prominent national law firms, CBT Architects of Boston hit upon an elegant combination of materials for both. Using a basic mix of stainless steel trim and leather (in this case, W/G’s “Durabull” artificial leather), as well as some matching monochromatic paint, laminate, and occasional stone accents, CBT was able to create a wide variety of pieces ÷ tables, credenzas, carts, reception desks, etc. ÷ which share a materials theme, yet are outstanding individual pieces of the designer’s art. Currently, these elements have been used in these firms’ Boston and Washington DC offices and, with ongoing expansion and renovation, will probably find their way into other cities, as well.

In addition to the need for a singular but flexible aesthetic for each firm, a major driving force in the design effort was the demand for maximum durability. While a law office may seem like a benign environment to an outsider, the amount of use and abuse furniture must withstand is significant— the hours are long, the coffee spills routine, and briefcases are always dropped at just the wrong angle. Stainless steel clearly offers considerable resistance to damage and “Durabull” is…well, exceptionally durable. And, in the worse case, if one of our artificial leather panels is severely damaged, it is designed in such a way that an identical replacement panel can be dropped in, quickly and painlessly.

The metalwork on these projects is some of the most sophisticated we’ve been responsible for. We work with the best metal fabricators in the business ÷ craftsmen who, like our in-house cabinetmakers, produce complicated components that are flawless. The compound curved stainless “D” ssection edges in the accompanying photographs were a particular challenge and certainly far more difficult to execute than a similar profile in wood or stone. They are, however, absolutely perfectly shaped, drawing comments like “How did they do that?” Well, even we are not quite sure and, if we knew, we probably wouldnât reveal the secret anyway.

Concept Illustrations
September 2002