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Swedbank Headquarters, 3XN | International Design Awards Winners
Swedbank Headquarters, 3XN | International Design Awards Winners
Swedbank Headquarters, 3XN | International Design Awards Winners
Swedbank Headquarters, 3XN | International Design Awards Winners
Swedbank Headquarters, 3XN | International Design Awards Winners
Swedbank Headquarters, 3XN | International Design Awards Winners
Swedbank Headquarters, 3XN | International Design Awards Winners
Swedbank Headquarters, 3XN | International Design Awards Winners
Swedbank Headquarters, 3XN | International Design Awards Winners
Swedbank Headquarters, 3XN | International Design Awards Winners
Swedbank Headquarters, 3XN | International Design Awards Winners

Swedbank Headquarters

Company3XN
Lead DesignersKim Herforth Nielsen
ClientKim Herforth Nielsen
Prize(s)Honorable Mention
Entry Description



Swedbank had outgrown its Stockholm headquarters and wanted a new
building that embraced the working methods and technology associated
with banking in the 21st century and reinforced its brand as an innovative
financial institution. They retained 3XN to design a 45,000m2 building
(significantly smaller than the 65,000m2 occupied previously) that
supported the staff of 2,700 and expressed its core values: openness,
simplicity and care.
3XN’s design reinforces the new ethos of ‘one office – one company,’
making the many departments feel like a cohesive whole. A folded triple v
structure breaks up volumes and creates an inviting democratic
environment. Employees are located closer to each other than in a
traditional office, contributing to shorter distances, good internal
communication, visual contact and knowledge sharing. The triple v shape
allowed for the placement of five atria that bring daylight in, enable views
out and act as gathering places. Breaking old patterns, the new
headquarters offers three types of work environment: fixed office spaces,
flexible office units used as temporary workstations for visiting colleagues,
and a series of touch-down spaces for informal meetings. The flexible
interior ensures that the best possible facilities are provided for changing
professional and social requirements.
Two sculptural staircases in the main lobby beckon staff and visitors. The
two lowest floors house restaurant, conference facilities and reception area
with glass facades, emphasizing their semi-public functions and the
organisation’s openness to its surroundings. The “triple v” structure,
cantilevered over the two lowest floors, creates a partially covered portico
at the base.
Sustainability is one of Swedbank’s core values and a driving force behind
the design. The headquarters was named the ‘Best Green EU Building’ by
the Swedish Green Building Council. Energy saving features include:
sensor-controlled lighting and ventilation systems, optimized daylight, and a
sophisticated system of roller blind-like climate curtains. ‘Free cooling’ is
used throughout, which uses low external air temperatures to chill water
air conditioning or stored for later use in one of 60 boreholes. The building
recovers excess heat and uses recovered energy to produce hot running
water and to melt snow and ice in winter.