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Article from issue 11/2004 »Approaches, Entrances, Foyers«

Bank in Innsbruck

Drafts
1:20 Horizontal and vertical section through glass tunnel
1:400 Ground and first floor plan/Section

The private bank chose a six-storey 19th century building in central Innsbruck as its new headquarters. The ground floor provides imposing reception and events facilities, and the rooms for costumer advisory services are on the first floor. The remaining storeys contain other offices and apartments. The two lower floors and the facade were converted appropriately for use by the bank. The historic groin vaulting and monolithic stone columns were revealed and became a key feature of the new spatial concept, with the aim of linking the historical building section with modern, reduced architectural forms.
The entrance concept was also changed in the conversion. The main entrance on the street side is now available to all users: residents, clients and staff. This makes it possible to experience the historical ground floor and the new facilities as a whole. The architects achieved this with a glass tunnel connecting the entrance and stairs like a tube, and closed with a steel door at the staircase end. All the panes are jointed and glued without framing. The glass tunnel is lit in blue day and night.