Chicago, Illinois

When banking leans towards retailing, bank architecture should support the bank's graphics and marketing campaign.

Banks that want to incorporate a barrage of eye-catching marketing messages can use architecture to reinforce this so that the messages have more impact on patrons. Working together with Oak Brook Bank, Cordogan, Clark and Associates designed branch bank prototypes with service and high-impact graphics in mind, in which architecture strongly reinforces the marketing message. The central circulation spine introduces an axis, which is carried through this small branch from the point of entry, establishing a dynamic internal geometry that is used to direct customers towards the highest-yield service representatives. There is minimum obstruction between banking personnel and the patron. Angled displays and millwork create secondary sight lines toward the centrally located sales information center, while curving transitional elements help draw the customer into the branch from the lobby.

As in the design of a retail store, back-of-house areas are minimized. A high efficiency ratio of served to services space means that the maximum floor area becomes space used by banking patrons, with strategically placed marketing messages throughout.