People’s Choice Lounge & Bar

The "meetpoints" at People’s Choice bank, designed for casual interactions and collaboration, with vibrant seating and a mix of modern and natural elements.

An agile banking concept staying in pace with rapid digital transformation

#Adelaide
#People's Choice
#Selected
#financial services
#retail banking


Thanks to the People’s Choice team for bringing Design Clarity along on their journey delivering constant updates and improvements for your members and your community. Design Clarity has been working alongside the team at People’s Choice since 2010 when the two largest SA-based credit unions merged to create a new, radically different, forward-thinking banking brand. Always innovating and striving for improved service and new touchpoints for their members, we started out with a series of pilot test branch sites to reflect the brand attitude. And always refreshing as the major stakeholders and key decision-makers are the members themselves.

Our journey together has covered iterations of branch formats across the network, investigative field trips, strategy workshops, mystery shopping expeditions, in-branch Vox-pops, member surveys, benchmarking research and even co-presenting to share insights at a major branch transformation conference in London.

This latest site was designed to explore the rapid take-up of digital technology as everyday member behaviours change due to the circumstances of the pandemic. Our objective was to design a new branch in a local high street that is both captivating and welcoming to millennials and the Gen Z population who want to complement their digital interactions with personal advice. An agile branch that can develop as digital capability grows, uniting people and technology. Where all members are encouraged to be brand advocates.

And what better way to start a conversation than across the bar?

The flagship branch of People’s Choice bank features a spacious, glass-fronted entrance that invites passersby to experience a modern, customer-centered environment. With a blend of natural elements, casual seating, and an open layout, the branch combines functionality with a warm, welcoming aesthetic. The evening lighting highlights the branch’s unique architectural and design choices, making it a standout presence on the street.

The People's Choice flagship branch storefront, warmly illuminated at night, showcases a modern, inviting interior with open seating, greenery, and a casual, customer-friendly design.
People’s Choice flagship branch offers a casual, youthful atmosphere with bar-style seating and warm, inviting interiors designed for community and financial advice.

This close-up of the People’s Choice flagship branch captures a modern, vibrant environment crafted for young adults seeking financial advice in a relaxed setting. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows reveal an open, welcoming interior, designed to foster interaction and comfort with a blend of casual seating, natural textures, and ample greenery. This flagship branch redefines the traditional banking experience with a social, community-focused approach.

A view of People’s Choice bank’s bright and welcoming lobby, with open seating, natural light, and modern decor looking toward the main entrance.

The lobby of People’s Choice bank offers a spacious, modern, and inviting atmosphere for clients and visitors. With ample seating, vibrant accents, and a wall of glass windows facing the street, the area combines functionality with an open, welcoming design. The layout encourages natural flow, blending warm and cool tones to create an engaging environment that’s both professional and comfortable.

The lower floor of People’s Choice bank’s Norwood branch blends functionality with local pride through its community wall, displaying sports memorabilia from bank-sponsored teams. Visible from the bar area, this space is designed to connect with the community in a modern, open environment that encourages social interaction and celebrates local culture.

The lower level of People’s Choice bank, featuring the vibrant community wall and a stylish bar area with sports memorabilia celebrating local partnerships.
The connecting staircase at People’s Choice flagship branch, featuring warm wood tones, accent lighting, and lush greenery, creates an inviting transition between floors.

The staircase at People’s Choice flagship branch provides a seamless, welcoming link between the bank’s lower and upper levels. Combining modern lighting, natural wood finishes, and vibrant accents, the design brings warmth and accessibility to the bank’s interior. With thoughtful use of greenery and color, the staircase serves as both a functional and decorative feature within the space.

Close-up of the customer service area at People’s Choice bank, featuring soundproofed booths, natural wood tones, and vibrant branding.

The customer service area at People’s Choice bank is thoughtfully designed to balance privacy, comfort, and efficiency. With soundproofed booths, light-toned furniture, and a vibrant "Banking for life" branding display, the space offers an inviting atmosphere for personalized customer interactions. Small touches of greenery and an organized workspace reinforce the bank’s commitment to a customer-centered experience.

The bar area at People’s Choice bank’s flagship branch showcases a unique blend of casual ambiance and brand identity with its sleek beer tap system, warm wooden paneling, and modern decor. The design of "The People's Lounge" creates an inviting environment for customers, encouraging interaction in a relaxed setting while reinforcing the bank's customer-focused approach.

Close-up of the bar at "The People's Lounge" in People’s Choice bank, featuring a stylish triple beer tap system with chrome finishes and branded details.
A vibrant, modern meeting room at People’s Choice bank, featuring soft tones, artistic murals, and ergonomic furnishings.

This meeting room at People’s Choice bank combines contemporary design elements with a warm, engaging color palette. With a round central table, ergonomic seating, and artistic wall murals, the room is designed to foster collaboration and creativity. The decor blends functionality with artistic flair, making it a comfortable and inviting space for discussions.

The homeloan consultation area at People’s Choice, designed to offer a relaxed, home-like setting with cozy seating and warm, natural decor.

The homeloan consultation area at People’s Choice bank creates a comfortable, home-inspired atmosphere, inviting clients to discuss their financial needs in a setting that feels welcoming and familiar. Located on the upper floor and overlooking the bar area below, this space blends casual seating, warm wood tones, and personalized decor, making it an ideal environment for meaningful, client-centered conversations.

The floor is a light, warm-toned wood laminate. A vibrant teal/emerald green carpet covers portions of the space, creating distinct zones. A circular woven rug, light beige/gray in color, sits amongst the teal carpet, providing a defined seating area.

Semi-private consultation space on the upper floor. The overall impression is of a modern, comfortable, and well-designed work space designed for collaborative or relaxation purposes.
An open, collaborative workspace on the lower level of People’s Choice bank, featuring warm wood floors, vibrant teal accents, and abundant greenery.

The lower level of People’s Choice bank’s flagship branch is designed to support a collaborative and inviting work environment. Past the bar area, this expansive office space combines warm wood tones, strategically placed greenery, and a lively color palette to create a dynamic and welcoming atmosphere for both employees and clients. Modern furniture and a well-planned layout enhance functionality and comfort throughout the space.

The welcoming bar area at People’s Choice bank, featuring a teal-tiled counter, stylish seating, and a vibrant, open atmosphere.

The bar area on the lower floor of People’s Choice bank’s flagship branch combines modern design with a relaxed, customer-focused ambiance. With its teal-tiled service counter, varied seating options, and open layout, this space encourages casual interaction and engagement. The design reflects a balance of functionality and comfort, creating an environment where clients can comfortably connect with staff and each other.

The "conversation desks" area at People’s Choice bank provides a welcoming setting for customer consultations in close proximity to the bar area. With light wood finishes, ergonomic seating, and carefully integrated greenery, the design balances professionalism with comfort, encouraging relaxed and productive interactions. The modern, well-lit space combines practical design with vibrant accents to enhance the customer experience.

Modern "conversation desks" near the bar at People’s Choice bank, offering a comfortable, collaborative environment with vibrant seating and natural accents.
Modern staircase at People’s Choice bank, connecting the lower and upper levels with natural wood finishes, greenery, and LED-lit steps.

The stairway at People’s Choice bank serves as both a functional transition and an architectural highlight, linking the lower and upper levels of the bank's flagship branch. The design incorporates natural materials, subtle lighting, and greenery, creating a sense of continuity and flow within the space. This view, which captures the lower floor, emphasizes the bank’s commitment to a modern, environmentally conscious interior.

A close-up of the bar tap and digital displays at People’s Choice bank’s lounge area, blending classic design with modern branding.

This close-up of the People’s Choice bar tap highlights the classic design of a metallic beer tap with a sleek chrome or stainless steel finish and a white lever for an understated yet refined look. Behind the tap, two large screens mounted on a light beige wall feature video content with the bank's messaging.