Key Bank

When KeyCorp. decided to review its retail spaces, one thing the Cleveland-based multi-line financial services company knew: It wanted its offices to look like more than just banks. So it enlisted the help of Landor Associates (San Francisco) to design a space that would address Key's three target markets: those seeking personal, confidential investment counseling; customers seeking loans and other basic services; and the transactional customer depositing a check or withdrawing cash. The accompanying fixture system is simple, straightforward, functional and flexible.

It can be freestanding or wall-mounted, accepts a variety of components, and is adaptable to a variety of sites. ITIF, the Toronto fixture supplier bidding on the project, recommended a custom-tooled system of extruded, clear-anodized aluminum, rather than steel (which Key Bank had originally chosen). Aesthetically, the fixtures blend into an assembly of fairly rich materials that Key was using — such as rosewood cabinetry, leather furniture and high-end graphics — and the anodized aluminum is sleeker and more polished looking than steel. The same anodized aluminum is used for the frames holding the digitally printed atmospheric graphics found around the space.

Client Design Team: KeyCorp., Cleveland — Kip McMahon, vp, project management; Denise Benson, vp and manager, merchandising Design: Landor Associates, San Francisco — Dave Oldman, associate director; Scott Drummond, creative director; Kerry Findlay and Mike Ely, senior designers Architect of Record: Callison Architecture Inc., Seattle Fixtures: ITIF, Toronto — Tony Bennett, president Photography: Cesar Rubio, San Francisco