Sparkasse Karlsruhe, Customer Advice Centre

Homely workplace concept in a revitalised historic building

As part of the renovation of its historic building on Ettlingen's historic market square, Sparkasse Karlsruhe has incorporated a new workplace concept into its Customer Advice Centre on the ground and first floors. The concept was developed by feco interior designer Stefanie Ranko and the feco office team together with the client. In close coordination with the architectural firm Baurmann + Dürr, a pleasant, relaxed and agile environment has been created for the Customer Advice Centre and its services. While the exterior of the building underscores its regional ties and blends harmoniously into the townscape, inside Sparkasse Karlsruhe positions itself as a modern financial services provider and employer that treats customers and employees with respect.

Builder: Sparkasse Karlsruhe
Occupant: Sparkasse Karlsruhe
Planning: Baurmann Dürr Architekten, feco
Completion: 2022
City: Ettlingen
Sector: Banks
Office furniture: Agile work, Lounge, Storage elements, Workplaces
Photos: Nikolay Kazakov
Brands: Artemide, Brunner, COR, Vitra, Viccarbe, Walter Knoll, Werner Works

Sparkasse Karlsruhe │ Ettlingen Customer Advice Centre │ modern furniture from feco

The spacious, two-storey entrance hall with three central service points and a circular lighting concept is a sublime prelude. The shell limestone natural stone floor and the high proportion of light wood, warm accents in the CI colour and a wall-high motif of the local landmark, the Lauerturm, all create a sophisticated and inviting ambience. This increases in homeliness in the rear lounge and consulting area as well as on the first floor, which is fitted throughout with light oak parquet flooring.

Comfortable upholstered furniture in the waiting area along the gallery on the first floor serves as an eye-catching feature. Individual and group offices for digital and private banking, a child-friendly family room, and three themed consulting rooms branch off from here. The themes are, depending on the occasion, “sport”/leisure, “fireside lounge”/own home, and “classic-elegant meeting”/business, in each case providing an appropriate and inspiring environment.

Ergonomic strong points and active aspects immediately catch the eye: furniture that can be individually adjusted to the body and is variable in height; mobility on castors; lightweight, stackable solutions for flexible arrangements; and retreat areas that can be screened off. Here, everyone can find their own place of wellbeing – whether it be for themselves, in negotiations as part of a large team, or in confidential consultations. Having proven successful here, the furnishing and design concept is set to be used in other Sparkasse Karlsruhe branches as well.