The office of French architect and designer Emmanuelle Moureauxan was commissioned to design and decorate the new Shugamo Shinkin bank building in Tokiwadai, Tokyo. The design, inspired by and based on leaf patterns, aimed to create a space that would welcome customers and give them a sense of joy.
Starting with the building’s exterior, Emmanuelle wanted to give it a beautiful, eye-catching look that would entice people to step inside and “explore” the space. To achieve this, she painted the window reveals in 14 different shades, creating an attractive “fancy look”. At the same time, at the bank entrance and in the adjacent shop window, she “erased” the silhouettes of trees, which give customers the feeling of a familiar, friendly environment.
On the first floor, which houses the ATMs and the bank’s tellers, three small gardens inside display cases give the space a style that is attractive and different from what we are used to in banks. It is complemented by the colourful chairs placed in the waiting area.
On the second floor we find the reception and customer information desks, as well as four more small gardens. The third and top floor of the building holds the staff facilities, which include changing rooms and a cafeteria.
The seven gardens in all, which are flooded with light during the day, act as a “relaxing link” connecting the bank’s other spaces. Emmanuelle says that her design concept aimed to make visitors feel as though they were in a friendly, “magical forest”.
Text: Eirini Maraki
