FIOworks: Where Heritage Meets Innovation in Wilkinson & Grist’s 140-Year Legacy

For over a century, Wilkinson & Grist has stood as a pillar of Hong Kong’s legal landscape. Now, as the firm marks its 140th anniversary, it unveils a head office that mirrors its ethos: where tradition and progress converge. Spanning 1,500 square meters across one and a quarter floors in the iconic Great Eagle Centre, the headquarters space—designed by FIOworks—is a study in intentionality. Every material, sightline, and artifact tell a story of heritage, craftsmanship, and the firm’s role in Hong Kong’s journey from colonial outpost to global financial hub. With a narrative woven in marble, oak, and light, the design reflecting the firm’s legacy while redefining what a modern workplace can be.

A Vision Anchored in Identity
The project began with a question: How does a firm with such deep roots reimagine itself for the next era? "We didn’t want a sterile ‘modern’ office," says Ferdinand Cheung, Founder and Chairman of FIOworks. "This is a space that breathes—where the weight of history meets the lightness of innovation. Every detail resonates with our values. This isn’t just aesthetics—it’s about crafting an environment that elevates both productivity and well-being. "

The material palette is deliberately restrained yet rich: Paris Ice grey marble with delicate white veins, Royal Jade marble for feature walls, and light oak veneer panels create a symphony of neutral tones. Black mirrored plinths and charcoal frames add contrast, while the oak flooring grounds the design in warmth. The result is a backdrop that feels both stately and serene—a canvas for the firm’s daily work and the occasional grand client reception.

The Gallery: A Walk Through Time

As visitors step off the elevator, they’re greeted by the Gallery, a transitional space that sets the tone for the entire office. This is a space designed to tell a story. Along one wall, a continuous stretch of oak veneer panels displays framed documents tracing the firm’s milestones from 1883 onward. Opposite, planes of white marble form a textured relief, their edges softly illuminated by recessed lighting. The effect is almost cinematic—a play of shadow and texture that draws the eye forward to the pièce de résistance: a monumental two-meter-square Chinese painting by a contemporary artist, its brushstrokes echoing the firm’s blend of tradition and modernity.

Flexibility as a Design Principle

The Lounge and Boardroom exemplify the office’s adaptability. The Lounge, with its Ligne Roset Prado sofa and bar tables facing Victoria Harbour, serves as both a waiting area and an impromptu meeting spot. The sofa’s modular back cushions invite rearrangement—a subtle metaphor for the firm’s responsiveness to client needs.

When larger events demand it, the Boardroom’s glass walls and even its furniture can vanish, merging with the Lounge and Library to host 150 guests. "We designed for the unexpected," notes Ferdinand. "A morning board meeting could transform into an evening seminar without a single piece feeling out of place."

The Library: Where Law Meets Legacy

If the Gallery is the firm’s memory, the Library is its soul. Floor-to-ceiling shelves house leather-bound legal volumes, their spines a tapestry of muted golds and crimsons. Interspersed among them, Chinese ceremonial tea sets, pottery, and a curated selection of antiques whisper of cross-cultural exchange. At the room’s heart, a bar clad in striking Balena dark grey marble anchors the space, flanked by low-slung armchairs and bar stools that encourage lingering conversations.

Here, the design’s dualities shine brightest: the scholarly weight of legal tomes against the playful glint of wine glass; the seriousness of case law softened by the warmth of woven textures and artworks. It’s a space that invites both deep focus and spontaneous collaboration—a rarity in today’s open-plan offices. "We wanted a place where history and modernity converse," Ferdinand notes.

The Unseen Details: Well-Being as Priority

Beyond the aesthetics, the design prioritizes wellness. Employee well-being was paramount. By relegating back-of-house functions to the inner spaces, the perimeter floods workstations with natural light and harbour views. Breakout nooks with live greenery, soundproof phone booths (doubling as mother’s rooms), and a central pantry with coffee stations reflect a Scandinavian-inspired ethos: that beauty should serve function.

Ferdinand Cheung, Founder & Chairman of FIOworks:

"The best projects aren’t just about fancy finishes and beautiful spaces—they’re about understanding how people actually work and predicting how people will use a space before they even know it themselves. With Wilkinson & Grist, we spent hours listening to the client. That’s how you design an office that doesn’t just look impressive but feels right—like the custom marble bar in the Library, when we saw Wilkinson & Grist’s team naturally gather around the Library bar during our initial walkthrough, we knew we’d nailed it. It has become an instant hub for casual meetings."

Art as Heritage, Craft as Connection

The firm’s existing art collection—including the Gallery’s centerpiece painting—anchors the project’s direction. FIOworks commissioned complementary pieces from local artisans: fossilized wood sculptures, ceramic vases, and a series of potteries. "These aren’t decorations," emphasizes Cheung. "They’re conversation starters—about our shared history, about craftsmanship, about what endures. They’re threads connecting the firm’s past to its future."

A Year in the Making, a Legacy for the Future

The project—spanning location scouting, test-fitting, design, sourcing, and construction—was a year in the making. Parallel to the office redesign, Wilkinson & Grist refreshed its brand identity, ensuring cohesion from logo to wayfinding. The result is a seamless fusion of brand and space.

As Paul Liu, the Managing Partner of Wilkinson and Grist, states, “I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the excellent renovation of our office space. Despite the challenges and pressing timelines, your innovative vision, attention to detail, and professionalism have created an inspiring and enjoyable environment for all of us. It has been a pleasure working with FIOworks throughout this project.”

Looking Ahead

In an era where offices often prioritize trends over longevity, Wilkinson & Grist’s headquarters dares to be different. Wilkinson & Grist’s new headquarters is more than a workplace—it’s a testament to the idea that the most enduring designs are those that honour their roots while embracing change. In a city hurtling toward the future, this space stands as a reminder that true elegance is timeless. And for a firm that has witnessed Hong Kong’s evolution over 140 years, the message is clear: the best is yet to come.

“At the end of the day, our job isn’t just to build; it’s to translate a 140-year-old legacy into a space that works for the next generation,” reflects Ferdinand.