Olive LOUNGE Shibuya
Olive Lounge Shibuya by Klein Dytham architecture redefines physical banking with a visually striking facade, nature-inspired atriums, modern interior design blending banking and lifestyle elements.
Situated in the heart of one of Tokyo’s busiest shopping districts, Olive Lounge Shibuya redefines the role of physical banks in today’s increasingly digital age. The project celebrates SMBC, one of Japan’s largest retail banks, Olive initiative, an innovative mobile app-controlled all-in-one banking solution combining credit, debit, and point card, by setting a new standard for physical banking experiences. This standard re-establishes in-person connections with customers by offering personal financial advice within a relaxed, community-focused space.
Unlike most banks, Olive Lounge Shibuya’s facade is purposely visually striking. SMBC’s familiar zig-zagged “Rising Mark” logo is re-imagined into walls of convex glass panels, the smooth curves of the expanded glass elements creating captivating reflections and subtle visual distortions. Narrow spaces between the bank’s original and new glass facade are transformed into plant-filled atriums, bringing a touch of nature to the urban landscape.
An olive tree, a symbol of peace and growth, immediately welcomes visitors into the first floor — a multifunctional space, divided by overlapping arcs of welcoming lawn-like carpeting over natural-coloured flooring.
A fusion of modern banking and lifestyle, the first floor seamlessly combines a lively, Starbucks cafe corner with SMBC’s banking services. Throughout, the colours of SMBC and Starbucks — a palette of greens, gold and rich woods — also pay homage to the traditional hues of historical banks. ATM booths are tucked away at the back alongside an open-plan SMBC consulting area that doubles as extra cafe seating until 4 pm, when a sleek, metal fabric curtain encloses the area for more private transactions. The contour of curved upholstered bench seating outlines a casual meeting area, also available for cafe customer use, for bank staff to offer financial advice talks and other events.
A glass elevator opens up the space beside the staircase, drawing attention to and encouraging visitors to explore the second-floor Share Lounge.
Open to everyone through an hourly payment system, Share Lounge features a drinks counter, cosy single and two-person work booths, curved study tables for up to eight visitors each, window-seating overlooking the bustling streets of Shibuya and lit by modern interpretations of green banker’s lamps, and two circular glass-walled meeting rooms. A lowered wood ceiling provides more intimacy in a corner section that can be closed off by a curtain to become an event space. For ultimate focus, an original SMBC bank vault is repurposed into an enclosed area of seven work booths, its chunky, solid steel safe door and mammoth bar locks, becoming a whimsical design focus of the Share Lounge.
The echoing arcs of Olive Lounge Shibuya’s layout are completed with the curved lines of carefully selected furniture. Square columns of the building’s original structure are clad into wooden columns and converted into high counter tables. Both the first floor and Share Lounge feature the gentle curves of Karimoku chairs and tables. Meeting rooms are all given the increased comfort of Fumie Shibata’s ergonomic Vertebra chairs designed for Itoki Furniture.
Official SMBC banking meetings and transactions take place in the basement of Olive Lounge Shibuya. Here, Klein Dytham’s Doradora modular furniture in a luxurious, forest-green velvet, forms a circular casual meeting spot to welcome guests ahead of private meeting rooms wrapped in partially frosted glass. Another original vault is left virtually intact as a large meeting room, its hundreds of shiny safe deposit boxes lining the walls for a retro-futuristic aesthetic that, again, pays homage to the prestigious nature of past bank buildings
Design: Klein Dytham architecture
Photography: courtesy of Klein Dytham