Open Lounge in Raiffeisenbank – NAU Architecture – DGJ Architekten

Raiffeisen bank branch Kreuzplatz inserted into the building, dissolving the traditional barriers between the client and the employee, creating a new type of “open-bank”, A meeting place.

New technologies make something invisible banking infrastructure, access to employees is hidden among furniture items, while a robotic system provides 24 hour access to safe deposit boxes. This project change the bank’s role to become a welcoming atmosphere, full of light, An open living room where customers can learn about new products and services.

The space feels like a store environment than within a traditional bank. The talks can begin spontaneously around a Touch screen information and commit to meeting rooms for more private discussions. The information table not only shows the figures for global markets in real time, but can also be used as interactive panel to discover the history of Hottingen, or just watch the latest sports results.

The walls that flow elegantly blend the different areas of the bank in a continuous space ranging from receipt of customers in front to the workstations facing the courtyard.

The plant layout views carefully controlled to create different levels of privacy and maximize natural lighting. The walls themselves act as a mediated membrane between public open spaces and more private conference rooms.

Portraits of the most prominent past residents, as Böklin, Semper or Sypri adorn the walls. His images are abstracted by the Hi-Macs, using advanced digital production techniques. Despite the modern decor, design connects the bank with the cultural heritage of the area where it is inserted, while clearly looking to the future.