Oldenburger Volksbank

When Volksbank and Raiffeisenbank Oldenburg merged, relocating their new headquarters to Oldenburg’s city centre as the Oldenburger Volksbank, an opportunity arose to create a new interior concept that harmonised with the bank’s culture and philosophy.

The fragmented building complex, which extends from a 1908 listed building in the Lefferseck pedestrian zone via an intermediate building to one of the city’s few high-rise structures on the Staulinie, has a long history of conversion and refurbishment. The task was to create an inviting and cohesive space fit for the future and that could accommodate all departments and employee and customer needs in a time of working from home and online banking.

Following initial discussions on how to approach the refit in line with modern building and safety requirements, it soon became clear that if everything was to be remodelled, it should be done correctly, responsibly and transparently, encompassing the values that lie at the heart of the cooperative bank.

One initial thought was to demolish the high-rise entirely. And the beginning of the pandemic called the planning into question. But instead of putting the project on hold or starting from scratch, work to restructure and modernise the entire complex from the ground up began.

Where it previously appeared contemporary conventional and ostentatious, today Oldenburger Volksbank stands as a warm and welcoming environment where natural materials offset original concrete and exposed brickwork walls. Natural lighting floods the space through skylights, setting the scene for a revitalised space where flexible furnishings straddle the multiple floors and departments. The restructuring of the rooms addresses the shift in workplace needs to increased flexibility in an age of progressive digitisation. An open office landscape with meeting zones and quiet areas equipped with Fritz Hansen’s Arne Jacobsen-designed Series 7™ chairs offers both formal and informal places to work and meet. Offset by artworks, splashes of bold colour and soft furnishings, the relaxed interior represents the company’s flat structure and commitment to employee and customer well-being.

The Marketplace, located in the former foyer, has been transformed from an indiscriminate, inaccessible space into a bright and friendly multifunctional meeting place with both space to meet and discretion and distance when undertaking transactions. Indoor bicycle parking and staff changing rooms were added to the complex to follow the city’s natural shift to more environmentally friendly transport methods.

Throughout the new Oldenburger Volksbank, the Series 7™ chair – in traditional coloured ash, light beige 135 and contemporary, front-upholstered versions (Kvadrat Remix 753) – reflects the seamless shift from old to new that is apparent in every corner of the building: “We wanted to show that buildings from past decades still retain their justification and function today. The Series 7 chair embodies this like no other. It fits perfectly into our concept: it doesn't come across as elitist, but as of high quality. Everyone feels equally comfortable on it. It can be used and combined flexibly, in every meeting and co-working space. It is a piece of design history, just as good today as it was when first created. And solid, like the Oldenburger Volksbank,” notes Prof. Dr. Volker Droste.