raiffeisen bank in switzerland by montemurro aguiar architetti

images by simone bossi,

in switzerland, montemurro aguiar architetti has completed the new headquarters of raiffeisen, an international bank. located in stabio, a small town near the italian border, the concrete structure responds to its urban context, with an uncompromising design that mediates between the town’s historic center and an adjacent industrial area.

images by simone bossi

according to montemurro aguiar, the squareness of the building is based on the geometry of the surrounding industrial structures. meanwhile, the façade facing the historic core has a softer appearance, with a form that incorporates the spaces present in the region’s old towns — courtyards, porches, and underground passages. forming an enclosed public square, the entrance is positioned between two welcoming ‘arms’ that stretch outwards towards the community.

the façade facing the historic core incorporates the types of spaces present in the region’s old towns

‘we wanted the building to be not only a bank, but also a public space, a transitional zone, a pedestrian link that leads to the railway station,’ explains the design team. ‘this connection is projected by the court under the building as an underpass in the pivotal point of the project that is where the main entrance of the bank is located. it ends by a ramp that reaches the main road.’

reinforced concrete has been used with uncompromising effect

internally, visitors are greeted with a triple-height atrium, which is illuminated from above by a skylight. from here, a curved staircase leads to a consulting area on the floor above. offices on the upper two storeys are separated from corridors with walls equipped with built-in cupboards. circulation areas are situated between the offices and the curved skin of the building.

the entrance is positioned between two welcoming ‘arms’