The newly refurbished office of Norway’s biggest saving bank, SpareBank 1 SR-Bank, is an intensely blue-hued space.

‘Our client wanted to go from confined offices spaces to an open landscape,’ explains architect Gudbjørg Simonsen of Arkidea. ‘We imbedded the existing infrastructure in the new concept, but opened it all to reveal structures and elements inside. The idea was that this is what corporate banking really is about!’

Simonsen opted for using only shades of blue throughout the space to symbolize power and knowledge amongst a unified staff.

Each of the 78 employees have their own work stations, divided into seven groupings that are separated by glass walls. At ‘centre court’ is a common meeting space for large groups, where staff can meet and test ideas. A giant tree-like structure encompasses space, like a deck and awning, while the tables are imbedded in the design.

Meanwhile, private offices and meeting rooms are on the outer edges, alongside windows.

Photos courtesy Madeleine Lea Nilsson.