Headquarter Volksbank Krefeld, Germany

Competition: 2009 - 1st prize
Design: Eckhard Gerber
Project Direktor/Project Manager: Jens Haake, Beate Mack
Project Team: Marko Kraus, Hannes Beinhoff, Diana Vugner, Rosemarie General et al.

The urban situation is marked by a public church square (Dionysius Platz) located directly adjacent to a second square (Von der Leyen Platz).  The new headquarters of the mutual savings bank Krefeld will be built on an area of 4,125 square meters. Planned as a bright ticket hall with a glass roof construction - the spatial atmosphere of the new central hall of the bank building is inspired by a 'marketplace'. The two squares are linked by a diagonal routing crossing the hall. A sculptural architectural design accentuates the diagonally two entrances. A public cafe at the main entrance creates a smooth transition to the public space churchyard. The cafe is furnished with tables and situated beneath the overhanging roof and the existing beautiful trees in the square.
Because the glazing of the main entrance to Dionysius Platz is extensive, Church and tower are almost perceivable from every point of the hall. All customer service offices are arranged on two levels and orientated toward the hall. A perforated façade with openable windows and an upstream glass level behind a sun protection creates slightly translucent and sophisticated effects. It emphasizes the inviting and distinctive character of the new mutual savings bank Krefeld.