our work about insights contact
Main entry corridor featuring graphic flooring, digital screens, and open-plan service pods.

Bankwest

Linking the Bankwest with its Brand History and the Local WA Community

#Australia
#Bankwest
#Perth
#banking
#Financial & Advisory Environments


The transformation of the Bankwest Flagship Store in Perth represents a significant milestone in commercial banking architecture. Commissioned by Bankwest, the project pushes the boundary of retail banking by evolving an earlier East Coast model into an innovative, community-focused, and highly accessible flagship hub.

The spatial strategy discards traditional counter barriers to prioritize intuitive customer wayfinding. Traffic-style markings evocative of pedestrian intersections are applied directly to the floor, creating a directional, striped path that channels customers through the branch. Vertically oriented signage pylons act as speed bumps, slowing down pedestrian traffic and assisting with natural navigation toward various service hubs.

The floor plan is split into distinct operational zones engineered for different levels of consultation. For quick interactions, the design features a freeform, suspended Expert Bar portal alongside a high-density Browse Bar equipped with customer-use PCs, iPads, and free WiFi. These fast-track areas are supported by standing and seated Meeting Hubs, which utilize intelligent motion-sensor-activated light lenses overhead when occupied.

A multi-functional, drum-shaped seminar zone sits at the core of the community space, serving as an interactive theater for financial presentations and merchandise displays. To maintain acoustic comfort within the open-plan branch, acoustic echopanel tiles line the curved void, softening ambient noise during standard hours and allowing the zone to easily host after-hours corporate functions, product launches, or fundraising activities.

For high-security transactions or lengthier consultations, the layout transitions to a series of private, glazed meeting spaces. These pavilions are constructed with a mix of acoustic glass and solid panels set at an oblique angle to the primary pedestrian traffic flow. The glass panels are detailed with frosted privacy bands and bespoke graphics highlighting the bank’s local Western Australian sponsorship partners, including the West Coast Eagles, Western Force, Red Kite, Edmund Rice, WA Ballet, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

This coordinated material and spatial framework delivers a transparent retail layout that balances modern, future-proofed tech utilities with regional heritage. Reflecting its global impact on commercial design, the project was recognized as one of the ‘14 Unique Bank Branch Designs From Across The World‘ by The Financial Brand.

The core of the retail floor is anchored by a vibrant customer reception zone that breaks traditional banking barriers. A large circular ceiling raft in the brand’s signature orange acts as a architectural canopy, housing custom loop lighting that reflects the graphic identity directly above open, highly visible staff greeting points.

An interactive reception area featuring an illuminated ceiling installation and custom service plinths.
A structured transaction zone featuring modular service desks and regional heritage walls.

The main teller counter is re-engineered into a series of open, modular service stations that optimize transactional efficiency. The rear boundary is defined by an energetic orange backdrop, while flanking walls integrate community-focused graphic panels that tell the story of the bank's regional Western Australian identity.

This multi-functional innovation zone transitions the traditional branch wait area into an active, tech-enabled retail lounge. By blending casual lounge furniture with interactive digital touchpoints, the design creates a relaxed community hub where customers can explore digital services while waiting to meet with bank consultants.

An interactive waiting lounge featuring organic seating, digital tables, and branded display bays.
Secure transaction alcoves framed in timber and dark textured panelling.

The design incorporates specialized acoustic consultation alcoves to handle private transactions requiring higher security. By wrapping these functional service booths in a mix of warm timber framing and dark, horizontally grooved panelling, the architectural massing feels integrated into the open branch layout without disrupting the public floor flow.

The "Expert Bar" introduces a fluid, hospitality-inspired touchpoint into the retail banking environment. Designed as a high-efficiency consulting zone, the sweep of the counter encourages side-by-side collaboration between staff and clients, removing traditional counter barriers while defining the work zone through integrated architectural millwork.

A long, curved service counter featuring white stone surfaces and timber canopies.
An internal perspective showing an online service bar and dynamic overhead lighting.

The floor plan relies on a clear linear avenue to connect the digital self-service zones with private meeting suites. A prominent greeting plinth marks the threshold of this pedestrian corridor, while intersecting architectural light lines draw the eye down the entire length of the branch toward the community presentation space.

The heart of the branch features a versatile community hub designed for public seminars and retail engagement. Structured as an architectural void, the circular space balances acoustic control with highly visual brand storytelling, using modular furniture groupings to transition effortlessly from a relaxed customer waiting lounge into an interactive seminar theater.

A circular presentation lounge featuring integrated media screens and custom display niches.
Acoustic glass meeting rooms featuring integrated privacy frosting and brand accents.

Private advisory services are housed within a series of architectural glass pavilions that run parallel to the main thoroughfare. By utilizing floor-to-ceiling glazing and sliding doors, the design maintains spatial transparency and natural light flow across the branch while ensuring strict acoustic confidentiality for personal banking discussions.

The online browsing zone is structured as a high-density digital touchpoint that promotes customer self-service. Enclosed in a bold timber portal, the long consultation bar uses a highly graphic, repeating circular backdrop to separate the tech-focused area from the adjacent open thoroughfares and lounge zones.

A self-service digital bar set against a high-contrast geometric feature wall.