1,500 square meters of retail space spread over two floors, 49 extra-wide parking spaces, state-of-the-art ATMs, cutting-edge self-service technology, and a drive-through window: With the new service center (SDZ) for Kreisparkasse Gelnhausen, XQUADRAT GmbH has set a new standard for innovation as a design firm.
In doing so, the interior designers focused on one thing above all else—combining a welcoming atmosphere with functionality and aesthetics. “With this new building, we wanted to design a service center that doesn’t give the impression of a traditional bank branch,” says XQUADRAT Managing Director Andreas Malle. And his team succeeded brilliantly.
In the completely barrier-free interior, the Kreissparkasse occupies a total of 400 square meters, where customers will be able to conduct their financial transactions and activities in the future. The remaining space has already been leased to Sparkassenversicherung, LBS, Sparkassen-Immobilien-Vermittlungs GmbH, and the Falken Pharmacy.
For the interior design concept, the firm XQUADRAT came up with some creative ideas: modern furnishings combined with light and natural tones create spaces where customers and visitors can relax and build trust. Flexible counters break up the interior layout and showcase the new flagship under the motto “Kreissparkasse 2.0.” Open glass facades let daylight in and bring brightness to the interior.
With state-of-the-art technology, full LED lighting, and an efficient heating, ventilation, and cooling system, the service center in Gründau-Rothenbergen is at the cutting edge of building design. The offset upper floor serves as an architectural eye-catcher, and its design also provides a canopy over the entrance area.
The façade impresses with high-quality cast stone on the second floor and Corten steel on the ground floor. “We chose a special material for the façade. The Corten steel begins to take on its character in about nine months,” says Julian Malle, also managing director of XQUADRAT. The porous structure and earthy-brown tones create a harmonious, but above all aesthetic, exterior appearance. It was also important to the planners at XQUADRAT to create an ecological, sustainable building. The entire flat roof area is therefore greened. Not only does it serve as a habitat for numerous insects, but improved thermal insulation in winter and heat protection in summer are also benefits of the green roof.
Planners – Interior designers – Business professionals – Architects – Living space designers: The XQUADRAT team does not see itself as a traditional architectural firm. New projects are approached individually and implemented in innovative ways after consultation with the clients. In doing so, the planners follow a common thread, designing and shaping from the inside out. While the exterior appearance is important, it is not the be-all and end-all. The goal is for people to feel comfortable in the buildings we design.
XQUADRAT GmbH - SDZ Gründau Image Film