56
www.thedesignermagazine.com
Openness and transparency were the motivation behind by the pharmaceutical and electronics
industries into ampoules or light bulbs.
a striking interior design for a Spanish bank
This glass is also put to use in solar
thermal power plants but Arroyo came
up with the idea of using this tubing as a
In
what is arguably the most niche “Transparency in banking was actually the design element in architecture as well.
of specialist banking services yet, main idea behind this design,” explains The glass tubes are made of Schott
Spanish architects have a bank catering architect Eduardo Arroyo. The founder ‘Duran’, a particularly stable borosilicate
exclusively for their needs. Arquia: Caja of the architectural firm nO.MAD glass that was manufactured in specific
de Arquitectos, has also set about the Arquitectos, in Madrid, adds: “Rather lengths especially for this project by
task of making sure its 24 branches speak than coming up with an open office Schott-Rohrglas in Mitterteich, Germany.
to clients on a level they will understand, landscape as in traditional banks, an With an outside diameter of 150mm and
with challenging and unusual external entirely new solution was created a wall thickness of 9mm, around 300
and internal building styles. that combines light transparency with tubes of up to 3,150mm in length were
The bank’s offices in Bilbao reputable anonymity.” shipped to the site.
have taken on the company’s aim of Already from the outside of the building, Lined up next to each other, the glass
transparency in a literal sense, utilising a vibrating glass skin guides people’s tubes form transparent walls that separate
glass tubes made by Schott to create views to the bright interior landscape. the public area from the offices, much
highly unusual internal walls. Glass tubing is generally processed like a clear membrane. Owing to their
cylindrical shape, the tubes transmit light
in a slightly distorted manner and provide
soundproofing all at the same time.
“They allow for an open, yet private
atmosphere to be created that perfectly
suits discussions with the bank,” explains
Arroyo. “Their shape also makes it easier
to create round, seemingly organic
sections of the room.”
As another design characteristic, the
public area has black reflective floors and
ceilings, whereas the work areas were done
entirely in light grey. This contrast, says
Arroyo, helps guide customers and adds to
the light and transparent ambience. designer
Schott UK
www.schottglass.co.uk
Glass p.indd 56 28/8/08 10:05:49
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