A Banking Conservatory Located in Singapore’s downtown Orchard Road district, our re-casting of the typical Wealth Hub as a “Banking Conservatory” to challenge the conventions associated with a high net-worth banking experience. Inspired by the site’s soaring glass-lined atrium, our aim was to create a focal point that would anchor the entire experience. We created a lush thriving indoor conservatory and paired it with a series of lifestyle-inspired spaces nestled within or organised around it - an observation deck, feature bar, banquette seating, lounge niches and garden meeting pods. The choreographed verdant and lush greenery evoke an atmosphere where everything seems to flourish in a natural and sustainable manner, a nod to the ideals of wealth management. Although drawing from the virtues of biophilic design, the scheme aims to create a cultured conservatory and not a wild forest. Introducing a measure of control and order amidst nature’s abundance, we created a series of carefully detailed planter box arrangements, sinuous in shape to allow for pathways and meeting spaces to be carved out in-between the landscape. These planters are finished in a gold tinted metal and are lit at the edges. The lush abundance of carefully selected foliage plants gives a multi-layered composition, wrapping around the visitor, immersing them in a luxuriant botanical atmosphere. Plants are chosen, apart from their beautiful looks, for their well-tested ability to adapt to an air-conditioned environment and thrive in the shade. The project uses the hygienic Hydroponic System for growing the plants, avoiding the use of soil, and providing all that the plant needs for water and nutrients, while the roots anchor themselves in absorbent granules in specially designed trays. All landscape design was created in collaboration with an acclaimed landscape designer in Singapore. One of the most extensive design efforts was focused on designing a series of Garden Discussion Pods nestled amongst the plants, creating alternative discussion environments to the conventional meeting room. These pods are panelled with fabric panels for acoustic privacy, and kitted out with TV screens for Relationship Managers to explain the latest financial products, providing a luxe and relaxed atmosphere for Client-Relationship Manager discussions to take place. Clients can admire the plants from inside the pods, through the glass slats that ring the top of pods, and order from an impressive menu of coffee and refreshing drinks from the Feature Bar, and enjoy them in these pods on, or in the Garden Lounge. Level 8 is designed with a more luxurious material palette, designed with the Citigold Private Clients in mind. The highlight is the unique Viewing Deck, from which one can stand and enjoy a vast aerial view of the L7 banking conservatory. Flanked by Minotti Colette armchairs, Minotti Caulfield side tables and Marset Ginger floor lamps, L8 offers a variety of single, double and 4-seater seating options, where clients can order refreshing beverages from the Feature Bar, as they take their meetings. A sculptural Roll & Hill hand-blown tubular glass Bauer chandelier gently offers atmospheric lighting. The meeting rooms are decidedly more luxe too, featuring Gubi swivel meeting chairs paired with marble tables.