Regional Australia Bank is a customer owned bank that has been helping regional Australians achieve their lifestyle goals for 50 years.

The banking industry is undergoing a major shift and the new Sawtell location provides Regional Australia Bank with an opportunity to establish a community presence in the North Coast region. The office fitout, approximate 75 square metres, is conveniently located with an appropriate floor space to accommodate face to face personalised financial solutions.

The Office Interior Design Brief:

• Two glass wall offices with privacy glazing
• Provision for Hot Desks
• Reception Desk at the front (with space provision for a teller area in the future)
• Storage & stationary cupboards
• 3-5 key words or phrases that best describe the feeling the office design should represent: Local/coastal chic, empathy, financial wellness, respected, contemporary

Interior Design Response:

Inspired by elements from local & coastal design styles and plantation architecture. The following textural and classic elements were employed with a contemporary perspective to create a timeless and approachable office design:

• Neutral & light tones – use of v groove panel in a modern way
• Textural timbers and hints of marine hardware for a coastal inspiration
• Detailed glazed partitions to add timeless classic feel
• Built in items for a streamlined look

Privacy Challenges:

The tenancy was within a new building – a warm shell, with holiday rentals directly above.  Acoustic privacy was an important element to consider. Acoustic lagging was specified to all exposed pipework before installing further ceiling insulation and an accessible acoustic metal pan ceiling. Solid core doors with acoustic door seals and wall insulation were used to stop noise transfer between rooms.

Natural Light Challenges & Biophilic Design:

The tenancy shape is long and skinny with natural light only available at the shopfront. Glass partitions & frosted film was used to allow transfer of light all the way to the back of the work area, while maintaining privacy; a technique of biophilic design.

Natural indoor plants with self-watering planters were also dotted throughout the office fitout to assist with air quality. A surfboard and photographs of nearby natural attractions are found throughout the office interior design to create a sense of relaxed locality. Fun elements like oversized hooks and shelves were added to each office space, enabling each user to personalize the space, further humanising the experience for visitors.

Holly Rickard is the Lead Creative Interior Designer at Holly & Co. who we collaborated with on this project.  Her 20 years’ experience in full service delivery of refurbishments, base building upgrades and turnkey fitouts for commercial and retail clients, allowed our Project Manager, Luke Luffman to Deliver the project with confidence, on budget and on time.

It was an absolute pleasure working with Holly to create another amazing office for Regional Australia Bank… the 7^th project that Evoke have completed for Regional Australia Bank.

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