Sustainable and welcoming interior design
Stepping through the door to Merkur Andelskasse in Aarhus, you are immediately struck by the very welcoming atmosphere of the bank’s premises. The employees work at desks in an open-plan office environment, ready to greet customers at eye level and with a smile. The interior design of the bank’s Frederiksbjerg branch is based on a wide range of deliberate choices regarding the use of sustainable materials.
A cooperative bank with strong opinions and an equally strong focus on sustainable investments has designed its new branch in accordance with these very same principles, while also creating a pleasant environment for its employees and customers.
The premises are situated on a corner and therefore exposed to daylight from several directions. In designing the interior, the Aarhus-based firm LOOP Architects has made the most of this daylight. Practically all the employees work in an open office environment, which reflects the cooperative bank’s views on transparent banking. A lounge area has been created near the entrance, with a coffee bar and toys for children.
Durable solutions
As a bank which prides itself on being a cooperative and which supports, for example, projects with a focus on the environment and ecology, Merkur expressed quite particular wishes as regards the choice of materials for its offices. Wood is a recurring material, with colourful wool curtains serving as partitions. To ensure pleasant acoustics, Troldtekt acoustic panels with integrated Troldtekt lighting were chosen for the ceilings.
The acoustic ceilings from Troldtekt are, for example, FSC®-certified in the FSC 100% (FSC® C115450) category, Cradle to Cradle-certified in the silver category, as well as being labelled in the best categories according to Danish Indoor Climate Labelling.
LOOP Architects are Cradle to Cradle advisers and are always looking for solutions that protect the environment. The interior design of Merkur Andelskasse elegantly reflects the principles of the cooperative bank in a mix of soft shapes and edgy design.
