As part of a £5.5m city-wide investment to transform its branch network, ‘Warwickshire Shopping Park’ is the first new premises in 16 years for Coventry Building Society.

The Branch Redesign Programme began in 2018, created by Allen International - the original concept designers, with the building society working closely with Coventry-based Amtico, both for its high-quality range of LVT products and connection with the local area. The flooring products now lie at the heart of all branch visual identities.

Tasked with creating a modern and customer-friendly environment that could also cope with high levels of footfall expected from a retail space, pHp Architects took Allen International's design forward and implemented it throughout the branch network. As a result, Amtico’s Signature 36+ was chosen for its consistent performance and ability to meet the specific demands of the branch.

Welcome attraction

When considering the scheme, pHp Architects looked to create warmth and visual texture throughout the banking hall, using the smoky and raw grain of Harbour Pine and the contrasting depth of Quill Gesso’s dissecting lines.

Both designs are laid in Herringbone to aide wayfinding and direct customers to the bank’s key services. The warm hues also complement the exposed brickwork and warm metallic accents, such as the decorative domed lighting.

Creating zones

Stripping in Concrete Pale, from the Signature collection, adds a contrasting border behind the cashiers’ desks, clearly zoning the staff area and creating a border around the space.

“The Amtico flooring uses two complementary timber patterns for the main areas of the banking hall, not only providing a robust, long-term solution but also warmth and visual texture, that works alongside the brick slips, oak joinery and bespoke blue/orange furniture” commented Oliver Bazeley, partner in pHp Architects.

Piers Stidston , Senior Manager in Coventry Building Society said: “Working closely with our concept designer at the start of the Society’s Branch Redesign Programme, Amtico Signature 36+ was chosen for our banking halls because of its excellent performance characteristics, visual appeal and cost. The Programme has now been running for three years and, in our earliest branches, the Amtico flooring still looks as good as new and has proved to be easy to maintain and clean.”