Awa Bank's New Flagship Branch Embodies Sound Management with Innovative Design

In a world where fintech and new financial services are rapidly changing the landscape of banking, what role can traditional bank branch buildings play in a sustainable regional city? Awa Bank sought to answer this question with their new flagship branch in Japan, which embodies the spirit of "Sound Management" that has underpinned the bank's 123-year history.

After a year of discussions, Awa Bank realized that "partnership" for those who share their values was the key to creating a sustainable bank branch. This led to the creation of a public space at the center of the building that could attract not only current customers but also local residents and tourists. By doing so, Awa Bank aimed to create a "win-win-win" relationship between customers, the community, and the bank.

To embody their motto of "Sound Management," Awa Bank's new flagship branch sought an architecture that followed basic truths and principles, paid respect to clients' trust, and preserved tradition while challenging the future. The design's "purity" was achieved through a modular design and clean structural façades that eliminated any incongruent materials locked into the frame.

The exterior of the building is set back to create depth and draw in the activities of the adjacent shopping arcade. Different floor levels are exposed to reveal the movement that occurs inside. Awa Bank's new flagship branch creates an architecture with a rich spatial duality where the "dignity" of the flagship office and the "liveliness" of the public coexist.

Activity Design for a Human-Centered Space

Architecture takes on meaning only when people are involved, and this was a central focus of Awa Bank's new flagship branch. The goal was to sublimate architecture in a comfortable, human space by designing furniture and other elements that people touch and that determine their behavior.

Furniture design was based on the project's architectural modules, imbuing a sense of unity while focusing on the way people face each other in its angular orientation. Furniture is arranged at an angle, providing a calm personal space where people are not compelled to gaze directly at each other. The goal was to create an interior that would allow visitors to see and feel regional materials and craftsmanship and to feel proud of their hometown.

Creating a Compelling Walkaround Tour

The layout of Awa Bank's new flagship branch enables each half-floor to be connected to the next, creating a structure with a high degree of circulation without dead-ends, compelling visitors to circle the premises in search of "new encounters." The bank's new counter services were re-assigned into speedy "quick services" and more knowledge/skill-based "personal services," developed on different floors.

Public functions connected these services, including a "library space" to facilitate reading, a "co-working space" for businessmen and students to meet, and the "Awa Bank Plaza," a citizen's gallery with a history dating back more than 20 years. These areas are scattered throughout the building. The design intent was to provide "incidental new encounters" that would expand the aspirations of both people who do business with the bank and those who do not.

Awa Bank's new flagship branch in Japan redefines the future of brick-and-mortar bank branches. It embodies the bank's history, values, and commitment to sound management with innovative design that creates a comfortable, human space where people can gather, work, and socialize.

Building name: Awa Bank Head Office Sales Department Building

Location: Tokushima City, Japan

Building use: Office

Building owner: The Awa Bank, Ltd.

Architect: Nikken Sekkei (design & supervision)

Floor area: 1,775.14 m²

Extended bed area: 4,974.08 m²

Number of floors: one underground, four above ground

Maximum height: 21.918 meters

Main structure: Steel structure

Completion date: November 2019

Construction period: March 2018 – November 2019

Contractor: TAKENAKA CORPORATION

Photographer: FUMITO Studio KZUKI Photo