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The bold geometries in the mural by Adrienne Gaither complement the angles of adjacent booths.

part of the interior tenant fit-out. The third commissioned Bilski indicated is high even by the standards of global
work, in contrast, is inside the base building’s fire stairs, law firms.
where function and code-compliance were the primary The Pennsylvania Avenue façade of the base building
considerations. Recognizing that, at times, Cleary Gottlieb is notable for glass fins with a subtle zig-zag pattern that
staff might find it more convenient to use these stairs grab glints of sunlight and draw the eye as one passes the
instead of the new open staircase, LSM sought to upgrade building (which was featured in the Winter 2018 issue of
the experience. The solution was graffiti-style murals on the ARCHITECTUREDC). Its architect, Gensler, presented the
concrete walls around the intermediate landings. New York façade as “a work of public art that engages viewers and
artist Chris “Daze” Ellis, who transitioned from the streets enlivens the street.” The zig-zag motif continues into the
to the galleries in the 1980s, executed the works, which are a lobby, transformed into an undulating light installation.
playful contrast to the cleanly-designed professional offices. LSM’s interior expands on the integration of artistic
Cleary Gottlieb moved into the offices in December installations in the base building. From the sidewalk
2018. When the pandemic struck some 16 months later, the through the lobby to the Cleary Gottlieb reception space,
firm was “set up for success, whether or not we intended employees, clients, and visitors to the firm’s offices pass
it,” commented Bilski, because of the high percentage of a series of highly refined installations that blur the line
private offices, large number of meeting rooms, and access to between art and architecture, yielding an unusually
outdoor spaces. All of the lawyers have private offices, as do engaging arrival experience.
approximately 54% of the 300-plus employees overall, which

ART FOR WORK’S SAKE 49