Volksbank branch

Volksbank siteFreiburg im Breisgau, D

The challenge: To design a work of architecture for the city of Freiburg im Breisgau that marks the cityscape and conserves resources in which all design-related aspects come from one source. From the façade to the interior – in the case of a large-scale project like this the team of architects was successfully able to implement a consistent line throughout. Not only the design configuration of the building complex but the designing of the interiors for the bank branch and an executive board area at Volksbank were equally taken over by the acclaimed architectural bureau headquartered in Hamburg.

At the customer and service centre, for example, dark, anthracite-coloured surfaces and stainless steel stand for timeless style. They are intriguingly contrasted by white walls and warm accents such as wooden slats made of natural oak – a reference to the nearby Black Forest and the local building tradition.

Hadi Teherani Design designed the new ELOQUIA office lighting fixture for the office areas in co-operation with Zumtobel especially for this project. It was respectively employed in all consultation rooms and office spaces as a suspended pendant, free-standing or wall-mounted luminaire. Other products at the Volksbank Areal designed by Hadi Teherani Design include the T-Ray armchair from Walter Knoll, the FSB 1183 door handle, parquet flooring in oak from the Open Frameworks Design Edition collection from Parador, and Eco Tec carpeting from Carpet Concept.

LED Lightlines from ADO LIGHTS were furthermore used to furnish the representational public-access spaces, such as the bank, hotel, church and secondary school, in the widest variety of linear shapes. A concealed recessed mounting was used in the lesenes on the streamlined tower to homogeneously integrate the LED Lightlines from ADO LIGHTS into the façade.

The executive board has its rooms on the 7th floor. The spacious conference room has been effected on two storeys and provides spectacular views of the Black Forest – the binding link to the natural surroundings and to local building tradition remains constantly preserved.