Swiss bank branch impresses with modern architecture

With the construction of the new branch in Oberriet in Eastern Switzerland, Raiffeisenbank Oberes Rheintal has shown courage in innovative architecture. The building, designed by Carlos Martinez Architects from Berneck (Switzerland), stands out immediately due to its net-like façade of fine white concrete. The bank branch located on the first floor rests on just two pedestals – the development core and the Drive Thru ATM. The weightless effect is reinforced by the extreme overhang of the upper floor and the mirroring of the ATM.

The façade elements were manufactured by the company CRE Panel from Götzis (Austria) using high-strength concrete with the high-performance binder Dyckerhoff FLOWSTONE white. Apart from glass fibres, titanium dioxide was added, too. Under UV radiation, this white pigment promotes photocatalytic processes that prevent organic impurities from occurring in the first place or eliminate them. Titanium dioxide also improves the cleaning of air. This is particularly desirable in view of the exhaust gases produced at the Drive Thru ATM.

In total, the open façade has a surface area of 340 square meters. Of the 59 elements manufactured, 47 are straight and 12 are rounded. Each of the elements weighs approx. 1,000 kg. The prefabricated textile concrete elements were cast in special silicone matrices by Reckli from Herne (Germany), the surface remained smooth. In order not to reduce the photocatalytic processes, no additional surface protection was applied.

Construction began in 2018 and the bank branch was officially opened in the summer of 2019. Raiffeisenbank generally regards the architectural design of its buildings as an instrument of communicating its values. For this reason, it largely dispenses with standardization and strives for individual solutions also in the construction of its branches.