Search this Site

Close

Lighting the Future of Financial Institutions: A Collaborative Perspective

By Jared Monce, AIA Cooper Hill

September 8, 2025
Post Tagged in
, , ,

Lighting does more than brighten a space.

It sets the stage for how people experience a financial institution. From the way a branch looks as you drive by to how safe and comfortable it feels inside, lighting shapes both the brand and the customer experience.

Architects and electrical engineers look at lighting design through a different lens. Architects think about how light communicates things like trust, sophistication, and warmth. Engineers make sure every fixture works the way it should, meets codes, and keeps people safe. When we put those perspectives together, the result is spaces that feel welcoming and secure.
Centier Bank Branch lobby with comfortable seating, private offices, circular lights, and branded environments.
Centier Bank Branch lobby with comfortable seating, private offices, circular lights, and branded environments.

Why Lighting Matters in Bank + Credit Union Design

Architect’s Take:
A branch is the physical extension of a financial institution’s brand. The way it’s lit impacts how the community perceives the brand: approachable, modern, trustworthy. Thoughtfully designed branch lighting reinforces the brand story before anyone even walks in the door.

Engineer’s Take:
Of course, lighting has to do more than look good. It’s a major piece of the security plan. Well-designed lighting deters crime, eliminates dark corners, and keeps both customers and staff safe. And with today’s efficient systems, it also cuts down on energy costs and supports sustainability goals.

 

Exterior Lighting: First Impressions + Security

Architect’s Take:
The outside of a branch sets the tone. Uplighting the façade, spotlighting signage, and creating safe, inviting walkways all communicate stability and openness. Decorative touches, like modern bollards or accent lights, highlight architectural features and make people feel welcome.

Engineer’s Take:
Security comes first outside the branch. ATMs, drive-thru lanes, and parking areas need consistent, shadow-free lighting. Fixture type, brightness, and placement are all carefully calculated to meet IES standards without creating glare that interferes with cameras or drivers.

Where We Meet:
When design and engineering come together, fixtures can do double duty—look great and meet strict performance. Think stylish LED wall packs that look sharp and meet tough performance standards.

Interior Lighting: Comfort + Safety

Architect’s Take:
Inside the branch, the goal is comfort. Warm light in lobbies and public areas makes the branch feel inviting. Accent lights can spotlight branding, artwork, or community boards, helping the space feel less transactional and more personal. Decorative pendants or unique fixtures add personality to the design.

Engineer’s Take:
On the flip side, interior lighting needs to be functional. Teller stations, offices, and conference rooms require task lighting to reduce eye strain. Cash-handling areas need brighter, precise illumination for security and surveillance. And of course, emergency lighting, exit signs, and stairwell lighting are all critical for safety.

Where We Meet:
Layering is the key. Balancing decorative, ambient, task, and security lighting into one cohesive system that feels comfortable and keeps people safe.

Trends + Technology We’re Watching

Lighting design is evolving fast, and financial institutions are reaping the benefits. Smarter systems, more efficient fixtures, and new approaches to color and control are changing the way branches look and operate. Here are a few of the trends shaping the future:

  • Smart Lighting Controls: Automated dimming, occupancy sensors, and scheduling keep spaces efficient and responsive.
  • LED Systems: Long-lasting, low-maintenance, and energy-efficient.
  • Security Integration: Fixtures that work with cameras to avoid glare and ensure clear visibility.
  • Color Temperature Strategy: Warm tones in public areas for comfort; cooler, brighter light in high-security or task-driven zones.
ORNL Federal Credit Union Rutgers branch teller line interior with large windows, beautiful lighting, and branded environments. ORNL Federal Credit Union Oak Ridge Branch lobby comfortable waiting area with warm lighting and modern furniture.
ORNL Federal Credit Union Rutgers branch teller line interior with large windows, beautiful lighting, and branded environments. ORNL Federal Credit Union Oak Ridge Branch lobby comfortable waiting area with warm lighting and modern furniture.

Collaboration is Key in Lighting Design

Architect’s Take:
The strongest financial institution lighting strategies happen when we collaborate early in the design process. That way, aesthetics guide the fixture selection, placement, and control.

Engineer’s Take:
Early collaboration also helps us avoid common pitfalls—like glare, light trespass, or over-lighting—so the system is efficient, secure, and code compliant.

Where We Meet:
The real success happens in the dialogue. When the façade glows as a brand beacon and the ATM area is perfectly lit for safety, you know architecture and engineering are working hand-in-hand.

Wrapping It Up

Lighting is one design element that’s easy to overlook but impossible to ignore. It impacts brand, customer comfort, employee productivity, security, and even long-term operating costs. When architects and engineers collaborate from the start, financial institutions get branches that feel safe, efficient, and welcoming to all.

Ready to see your branch in the best light? Our team loves helping financial institutions design spaces that balance brand, security, and efficiency. Contact us to start planning your next branch project.

Post Tagged in
, , ,
Share
Contact Us Firm News Join Our Team Office Locations: Fort Wayne, Indiana & Charlotte, North Carolina
©2025 Design Collaborative. All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2025 Design Collaborative