After 50 years of presence in Geneva, the British financial services company Schroders was looking for a new location distilling excellence through a future-proof design and an elegant aesthetic integrating different clients’ and users’ needs.
Translating the 200-year-old firm´s legacy and standards while providing an inspiring space aligned with its sustainable and human-centric values was at the core of the mission embraced for the design of the site. Following the insights obtained from different interviews, town halls and focus groups, Studio Banana identified the main needs and turned them into key drivers that would guide us in the design process.
The new two-floor workspace would provide different flavours of Geneva’s surroundings through the integration of look-alike textures and colours, local materials and a bespoke design for the clients’ comfort and for staff to work, socialise or relax.
Inspired by Lake Geneva and its vibrant water patterns, the reception incorporates glass partitions and mirrors evoking the reflection of the lake helping amplify the space.
The client area –which include six client conference rooms designed to offer high-quality standards and a personalised service to guests– combine warm materials, blue tones and the latest audio-visual technology seamlessly integrated in the architecture.
Art pieces on the wall have been commissioned to the local artist Joëlle Cabane, whose particular painting technique applies indigo ink grown by herself to promote a more ecological transition within this practice.
In the working area, flex desks and agile meeting rooms offer a wide range of work settings carefully designed to integrate a diverse and inclusive team. In line with Schroders’ corporate look and feel, the chromatic and materials on this floor create a contemporary and welcoming environment. On the walls, modern photography pieces re-interpreting elements of nature by Swiss emerging artist Alicia Dubuis offer an acute sense of composition and colour.
The cafeteria –the exclusive place for staff to socialise and relax– brings a peaceful atmosphere inspired by the iconic Parc des Bastions. With an outdoors terrace enjoying privileged views to Lake Geneva´s Jet d’eau, this area incorporates plenty of warm and soft materials, abundant greenery and flexible furniture.
While the ceiling includes timber slats to improve the acoustics, the combination of enamelled tiles, natural felt and glazing on the walls provides a pleasant 3D effect sensation.
Through the use of finest, honest materials such as wood and carefully crafted metal panels, the signage of the project takes inspiration from Schroders’ values of trust and liability, with proportions evoking the Golden Ratio found in nature.
Schroders new workplace successfully overcomes the challenge of balancing the requirements of a global brand with the preferences and needs of local users. The design provides an improved experience for both visitors and employees aligned with the firm’s mission of building future prosperity in a sustainable way.
Throughout the different atmospheres and textures, the workplace embodies the firm’s sustainability vision as a leading player in the impact investment sector combined with a local touch inspired by the nature surrounding Geneva. As part of the client’s ambitions to provide optimal working conditions to its staff, the project is Fitwel certified.
Team:
Designers: Studio Banana
Photographer: Rubén P. Bescó
