ANZ Royal, Melbourne, Australia

Client: Lendlease

Architect: WMK Architecture

ANZ has occupied the historic Royal Bank building in some form since it was built in 1941. Affectionately referred to as ‘Royal’ or ‘The Royal Branch,’ ANZ was recently housing both retail activities and permanent regional admin office within the Royal Bank building. Though the regional admin office was due to be consolidated into a nearby commercial building, flexible spaces and agile methodologies are part of ANZ’s DNA and informed the creation of a collaborative multi-function space on the newly activated mezzanine level. This space is already being used for functions an0d seminars which enjoy a view of the banking chamber and Elizabeth and Collins streetscapes.

NDYLIGHT was engaged to design the lighting for this innovative new branch, a vessel to allow ANZ to push their vision of the future of banking, involving breaking down traditional barriers between banker and customer.

The refurbishment provided opportunities to reveal some of the heritage elements and the intent was very much to tread lightly as the new space was built within them. Mimicking the gentle curves of the previous design, and juxtaposing it, the design solution incorporates contemporary curvilinear lighting elements with the modern technology of contemporary digital banking and collaborative spaces.