The result, an intense red scultoric piece that folds in the space, skipping the existing vegetation and generating an organic piece that fills the space vertically. In combination with the smaller pieces of furniture, placed startegically to not interfere the interior view, the new colourful interior is a big success.
Descripción del proyecto por Miguel Pérez Tallón y Rubén Sesmero Blanco
On the 8th of February 2016, the Santander Triton Square Branch, opened its doors to the public. Designed with the aim of serving customers in the local community as well as showcasing and testing new technology and formats. The innovative format of the branch is perfect for the engagement of the customers to suit their needs, demonstrating Santander bank focus on Omni-channel working.
Located at the ground floor of the Santander UK HQ, in London, the building holds a six-storey atrium, which allows the branch to be in an exclusive spot that embraces the singularity of two existing living trees which forms the heart of this space. This project development has been designed to establish a flowing and accessible use of its volume, with split levels and suspended elements framing the focus on the trees.
The design of this branch, with the studied location of glazed partitions within the new formed internal ‘shop front’, allows the perfect balance to emphasise the location of the trees letting clear visibility of them from every angle and the unification of the interior and exterior. Creating the feeling of being in a more integrated and organic environment.
The interior scheme of the impressive glazed structure of the building is aligned with various technical innovations intended to enrich the customer experience. The branch showcases some innovative new designs and facilities, such as improved digital banking access via customer tablets, a touchscreen digital booth and Digital Merchandising screens.
The ‘shop front’ has been kept clear with only low level installations to maintain the visibility into the fully glazed space. The facilities that require a more opaque construction (Customer Services Areas and Express Banking) are facing the internal side of the building keeping clear and enhancing the volume of the trees.
Due the size restriction of the site and in order to enhanced the area, it was decided to create a vertical and a unique “floating” office designated to Select customers. Placed at a higher level and taking advantage of the atrium, the room is set within the crowns of the two trees generating the perception of a high level garden.
One of the conceptual ideas was to play with the use of three finishes (white, red and wood) to highlight the volumes, areas and apertures created for this project. Therefore, the whole development could be visualised as a solid horizontal plane of 20cm that has been shaped to accommodate the facilities. This plane becomes the ceiling, roof and wall of the branch and it exposes the details of its edges and intersections with secondary planes, such as the glazed partitions of the office, transforming the materials, colours or finishes of the new volume created.
Solid surface materials are combined together with wooden planks forming smooth, seamless and curving surfaces that are welcoming to the touch while offering an enduring elegance that allows to perceive clearly the existence of the conceptual plane that structures the whole composition. The lighting follows over the curved surfaces enhancing the organic character of the design.
Naturally, the design of the space aims also for optimum energy-efficiency. Features such as the apertures within the ceiling of the more enclosed facilities of the branch and the louvered roof in the back of house administration area, have been added to enhance natural ventilation. This means that no additional HVAC equipment is required. The current fan coil unit covering the Atrium and the existing underfloor heating installation would satisfy the heating and cooling needs for the new branch. The energy consumption of the branch provides a 40% saving compared to a standard retail unit with the same square meters.
