What was once a cafeteria serving 750 employees for over three decades has been reimagined by Munich-based CBA Architekten into a vibrant gathering space for the Bayerische Landesbank's Munich headquarters. Staff have affectionately renamed it "die Bankwirtschaft"—a playful reference to banking that evokes a fine dining experience. The space doubles as a flexible venue for larger events, distinguished by a thoughtfully conceived spatial and material palette. Gone are the cramped alcoves, partition walls, and utilitarian tile floors. In their place: a luminous, open-plan room with diverse seating arrangements. The result feels less institutional cafeteria and more sophisticated restaurant, thanks to an inspired material and color strategy.

Alongside traditional communal tables—now in warm dark grey rather than institutional white—with light grey seating, you'll find high-top tables along the façade for solo diners. There are also compact workstations with power outlets and relaxed lounge areas ideal for informal meetings. The standout feature is the striking new "café tower," a two-story sculptural element that anchors the inner courtyard, created by removing an entire floor level. Central to the design philosophy: maximizing natural light and airflow. The sleek black food counters line the central axis, ensuring unobstructed views of the city landscape and courtyard from every seat. An earthy palette—greys through warm taupes—and natural finishes reinforce the refined concept. The flooring combines durability with warmth through wood-look vinyl. Acoustic performance is enhanced by floor-length translucent grey curtains, green-planted oak partitions, and light grey felt wall panels featuring charming Munich-inspired details.

A carefully layered lighting design—combining indirect illumination from the counter's integrated light strip with sculptural industrial-style fixtures—reinforces the upscale restaurant ambiance. The crowning achievement is the striking new acoustic ceiling: functional steel grid elements, rendered in burnt orange-rust tones that complement Bayern LB's signature blue, transition to progressively lighter shades toward the edges, floating like clouds above the space.

www.cbarchitekten.com

Photography Credits:

Bernd Ducke
www.berndducke.de

(Published in CUBE Munich 04|20)