OREANDA-NEWS. August 17, 2010. As a striking instance to exemplify the assumption that the downturn period in economy is the best time for investments and business development was opened the new central administration building of DnB NORD Banka in 12 Skanstes Street, reported the press-centre of DnB NORD Banka.

The new building is a successful combination of state-of-the-art design, achievements of the newest technologies and functional layout of premises without losing lightness, brightness, or cosiness. Contemporary architecture that contributes to Riga city environment in a qualitative and expressive manner sets a good example for further development of the Skanstes neighbourhood.   

The Chief Executive Officer of DnB NORD Banka Andris Ozolins points out: "People use to say that the future and development are two things that should be considered no matter what. DnB NORD Banka over the recent years has improved and replenished the range of products and services offered to its customers, raised the service level, and - erected a new central administration building! I am satisfied about the fact that the new central administration building of DnB NORD Banka by combining high-quality architecture and traits of energy efficient office is one of the most technologically upgraded and state-of-the-art buildings in Riga!".

The office building of DnB NORD Banka was designed by the internationally renowned architecture firm of Audrius Ambrasas (Lithuania). The facade in space of 3,500 square meters is composed by black granite panels, whereas the glass surface accommodates 3,900 square meters. 11 floors of the building rise as high as to the height of 40.6 meters.

The office building that is located on the site of the former Daugava riverbed is based on 476 pales that are more than 35 meters long. For construction of the building were consumed 5,300 tons of concrete and 905 tons of reinforcement wires.

This building consists of two – A and B blocks linked by glass-covered elevator and staircase body. Floors up to the fourth comprise publicly accessible zone that accommodates the Bank's branch, leasing company, VIP banking center, training center as well as conference halls and meeting rooms.  

The staff zone accommodates open-office workplaces as well as in-house meeting rooms.  Workplaces are established with an aim to maximally use the daylight, and therefore maintenance and auxiliary rooms mostly are placed within the central part of the building. 

Construction and equipment of the new building was based on the newest technologies to achieve the utmost energy efficiency within the building. Moreover, the structure is tooled up with the building management system (BMS) that provides for flexible and centralized regulation and control over internal systems, like internal climate, security and lighting systems.

In turn, to maintain the most suitable climate control is introduced a closed facade system for humidification, airing and cooling of premises. The building is also equipped with external automatic Venetian blinds.  

Interior design of the new central administration building of DnB NORD Banka was prepared by SIA "XYZ". The project developers point out that behind the idea is the concept of line as the means of expression that displays heartbeats, sound frequencies, countless mathematical algorithms and equations. Functionality, neat planes, transparency, rhythms of lines, light tonalities accentuated by some brighter spots in furniture or accessories - all these are the main traits of the interior concept. The design was developed by integrating architectonic and geometric forms in the interior details, mostly in furniture solutions.      

As to interior design, the main priority was given to functionality. Layout of furniture was designed based on the flow of people, function and dynamics of the particular room, to respectively solve distribution of informative elements and functional zones.   

The new building was opened by creating a special sculpture, adorning the fertility symbol of ancient Latvians - Jumis - with lucky horseshoes. Their best wishes to DnB NORD Banka in its new central administration building extended the President of Latvian Association of Commercial Banks Teodors Tverijons, and the long-term counterpart of "DnB NORD Latvian barometer" - public research company SKDS represented by its director Arnis Kaktins. The opening ceremony of DnB NORD Banka was attended also by the last-year award-winner of the Bank's sponsored project "Latvia can" - executive director of "Madara Cosmetics" Lotte Tisenkopfa-Iltnere, musician Intars Busulis, skeletonist Martins Dukurs, fashion designer Natalija Jansone and actor Gundars Abolins.

The foundation stone of DnB NORD Banka new central administration building was placed on 4 November 2008, and the ridgepole celebrations were held on 9 September 2009. The building was commissioned on 28 June 2010. Construction works throughout the entire period were managed by SIA "Merks" and SIA "Buvkonsultants".