The home of architecture and design in the Asia-Pacific

Get the latest design news direct to your inbox!

Biophilic design redefines the retail banking experience

As winner of The Shopping Space category, Citi Wealth Hub designed by Ministry of Design with Architectural QP: Space Design Architects is a game changer.

Biophilic design redefines the retail banking experience

As winner of The Shopping Space category in the 2021 INDE.Awards, Citi Wealth Hub designed by Ministry of Design with Architectural QP: Space Design Architects is a game changer. The project re-invents the idea of the traditional destination for banking by embracing a green interior along with the ideals of biophilic design. Situated in downtown Singapore in the Orchard Road district, Citi Wealth Hub offers its clientele an experience like no other.

As sponsor of The Shopping Space category, Tappeti fine handcrafted rugs + carpets knows that making an interior an experiential destination is an imperative to ensure clients return time after time. As makers and suppliers of beautiful rugs and carpets, the scene is set with comfort underfoot so that an interior represents true luxury and design finesse. As a supporter of the INDE.Awards, Tappeti contributes to the regional design context, acknowledging the depth of talent in the Indo-Pacific.

citi wealth hub

Karinna Gobbo, Chief Energising Officer, Tappeti, fine handcrafted rugs + carpets, commented, “The INDE.Awards is a global stage of creativity and being a part of INDE aligns well with the Tappeti brand ‘as a world class textile design firm’ able to extend endless opportunities that the global stage offers.”

The concept of Citi Wealth Hub was devised as a ‘Banking Conservatory’ for an international competition that invited participants to challenge the conventions of traditional banking interiors. The project covers four floors and more than 2275 square metres with 30 client advisory rooms, hot desking offices and flexible function and event rooms. On levels seven and eight the interior is a lush and immersive indoor conservatory for Citigold and Citigold Private Clients; while on Levels six and nine there is a relaxed environment for the Relationship Managers.

citi wealth hub

Through the inclusion of a series of garden discussion pods within the Conservatory greenery a new and exciting alternate environment has been created. The pods, lined with acoustic panels, have been designed with all necessary technical requirements such as curved televisions, concealed power points and cables to facilitate business.

Gobbo remarked, “Citi Wealth Hub is a lush filled environment where indoors meet outdoors. It is refreshing to see traditional banking interiors challenged.”

While creating the relaxing interior for this high-profile business, the benefits of biophilic design are both tangible and obvious. As a verdant garden in the heart of the city, Citi Wealth Hub also promotes the ideas of sustainable design through the natural tropical landscape.

The winner of The Shopping Space showcases the very essence of why we enjoy the retail environment – design that delights the eye and presents another world to explore and savour.

Photography: KHOOGJ

And for all the excitement of the INDE.Awards catch up on the gala event here.

INDESIGN is on instagram

Follow @indesignlive


The Indesign Collection

A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers


Indesign Our Partners

Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!

Related Stories


While you were sleeping

The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed