The design for the consultation areas prioritises a side-by-side working relationship rather than a traditional across-the-desk hierarchy. By using open-ended pods and curved seating, the interior creates a sense of partnership between the bank staff and the member. This layout is specifically intended to reduce the anxiety often associated with financial discussions, providing a relaxed yet professional setting where technology and human interaction coexist naturally within a bright, contemporary environment.
In this section of the Melbourne branch, the furniture has been custom-selected to encourage long-stay comfort and easy collaboration. Each pod features a rounded timber-topped desk with a minimalist black metal base, paired with curved, light grey upholstered benches. These shapes are a deliberate design choice; they guide the body into a more natural, angled position, making it easier for members to view the computer screens alongside the advisor. This transparency is a key part of the brand’s "fairer deal" philosophy, ensuring that no information is hidden behind a high counter or a bulky monitor.
The background wall is a masterclass in modern retail layering. It features a large, integrated digital screen that displays rotating service offers and community news, framed by a vibrant yellow panel with bold, sans-serif typography. To the left, a large-scale lifestyle graphic showing people in a social setting adds a layer of warmth and emotional connection. The entire length of this wall is lit from below by a recessed LED strip, which casts a soft upward glow that highlights the textures of the wall and creates a floating effect for the joinery.
Above the pods, the ceiling continues the branch's signature architectural language. The geometric timber lattice provides a structured canopy from which the large, charcoal-grey acoustic felt pendants are suspended. These oversized shades are essential for maintaining a quiet atmosphere in an open-plan branch, as they absorb sound directly above the consultation tables. The mix of the warm oak herringbone flooring and the dark vertical timber fins in the corner adds a final touch of sophistication, ensuring the branch feels premium and carefully considered in every detail.
