WESTPAC

AUCKLAND // NEW ZEALAND

Walker Commercial were chosen to participate in a (paid) 2-way creative pitch to create Westpac’s Bank of the future flagship branch in Auckland’s Queen Street. The brief comprised new customer and staff areas on the ground floor but excluded major shopfront work.

We proposed a way different style of banking. One in which the bank customer was the focus and would encourage better access to the branch while minimising staff time. We focussed on customer engagement and features which would draw customers and passers-by alike into the branch. We proposed a concierge station at the entry, simplified access to ATMs and spaces to promote Westpac’s business customer. New technology allowed us to largely remove barriers between customers and staff. We also proposed electronic systems to further facilitate increased customer interaction while reducing staff “face time”. Our coffee caravan has resulted in significant additional business for the bank as staff are able to use iPads to prospect amount customers and drop-in coffee customers alike.

Our scheme was passed to the bank’s regular architects (as per our contract) for implementation, who adapted it in accordance with a refined client brief but most features and the general floor plan remain.