Kennedy Nolan Trades Corporate Posturing for Human-Centred Design in Melbourne’s Law Chambers.

When Kennedy Nolan was approached by a group of barristers forming a new collective, the brief was to create something entirely distinct from conventional legal environments. The result is 181 William Street Chambers—a 1,560-square-metre fitout for CRM Chambers that trades the typical corporate gravitas of law offices for something far more compelling.

True to Kennedy Nolan’s reputation for bold colour as an engagement strategy, the project immediately signals its departure from tradition. But it’s not just about making a visual statement. The design responds to a more nuanced challenge: creating spaces that acknowledge the profound stress many clients face when entering a barrister’s chambers, whether confronting significant fines or prison sentences.

The design deliberately avoids institutional cues and legal symbolism. Instead, Kennedy Nolan delivered 26 individual chambers with exceptional acoustic separation, each capable of personalisation to reflect the unique practice of its occupant. This acknowledges the nature of chambers as a collective of allied individuals rather than a singular corporate entity.

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The public and shared spaces—reception, meeting rooms, staff lounge and dining areas—present a cohesive aesthetic while maintaining a distinctly domestic quality. Natural light penetrates deep into the plan, complemented by a warm, textural material palette that softens the corporate edge of the overall space. The atmosphere sits somewhere between a home and a theatre set, offering a seductive workplace environment that feels both dignified and approachable.

What elevates the project beyond surface treatment is the thoughtful curation of furniture, lighting and art, with many pieces sourced from Australian makers. These elements work in conjunction with clever design details to create spaces that feel quiet, soft, and private—almost refuge-like in their quality.

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Delivered within a compressed nine-month timeframe, the project required elaborate coordination between base building engineers and the fitout consultant team. Kennedy Nolan managed to meet these constraints while creating a considered outcome, which speaks to their capability in balancing practical requirements with design ambition.

What’s more, this project demonstrates how legal fitouts can move beyond the expensive, prestigious and stuffy projection of law into something more human-centred. It’s an approach that recognises comfort isn’t just nice to have during long working hours—it’s fundamental to the kind of environment these barristers wanted to create for both themselves and their clients.

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[Images courtesy of Kennedy Nolan. Photography by Sean Fennessy.]