Handelsbanken

Kohina designed the headquarters of Handelsbanken in Helsinki, an international bank of Skandinavia that operates in over 20 countries. Today it is one of the leading banks in the Nordic region, and the bank has 45 offices in Finland. Although Handelsbanken is an international operator, it aims to be local and wants to be close to the customer. Handelsbanken’s headquarters was relocating into new spaces and at the same time they wanted to develop the work environment, working methods and especially the lobby area.

The main focus in the design process was the customer values. Handelsbanken wanted their values of to be strongly reflected into the new environment. The particularly high lobby area of the new head office set its challenges for the design of the space. Eventually the big, echoing space was designing with unique acoustic elements and furniture choices that at the same time reflect the sustainable values and Nordic style of Handelsbanken.

A customer’s path in the lobby and different kinds of meetings were in a key role of the functionality of the lobby. The reception desk now welcomes all visitors flexibly. Functionality and smart spatial solutions in the lobby enable organizing all kinds of events, welcoming visitors with storage space for the luggage and also supporting ad hoc meetings and momentary working.

Customer values and Handelsbanken’s brand identity are now reflected throughout the new headquarters, from the working spaces to the welcoming lobby area. The values of sustainability and Nordic style are visible in all spatial solutions, materials, graphical elements and furniture choices, and the headquarters consistently communicates the company values and also sustains the staff satisfaction.

”The first space concept and sketches were really successful already at the beginning. Now we have a spacious lobby and only two floors instead of six.” - HR manager / Handelsbanken

Kohina