Real Estate Strategies for the Financial World of Tomorrow
Looking back at an inspiring day at the new VolksbankForum in Wendlingen
On March 12, Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar opened the doors to its newest building in Wendlingen and teamed up with Drees & Sommer to host the “Real Estate Strategies for the Financial World of Tomorrow” event. The occasion brought together theory and practice, as well as innovation and collaboration, showing how these elements can work hand and hand.
Bringing the future to life
This new Volksbank location is a prime example of forward-thinking construction to enable new opportunities. We supported the development of this building and were thrilled that event attendees had the opportunity to be among the first to experience what makes it so special—a functional, sustainable, efficient, and future-focused work environment.
Three workshops - Three unique perspectives
Around 80 participants gained valuable insights into how organization, space, and technology will become more interconnected in the future—and the opportunities this will create for financial institutions. The workshops covered the following topics:
- Structural Transformation: A strategic perspective on the future of work from Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar
- Branches as Strategic Building Blocks: Navigating decisions between new construction, refurbishment, or development of existing assets
- Optimizing Existing Buildings: Exploring the potential and practical experience of enhancing existing buildings through digitalization, efficiency improvements and decarbonization.
An exclusive tour highlighting future-focused concepts
These workshops were followed by an exclusive tour of the new building, which was a highlight for most attendees. Particularly impressive was the holistic energy concept—efficient, eco-friendly, and designed for the future. It demonstrates how modern bank architecture not only considers sustainability but actively embraces it.
Equally impressive is the vision and consistent change management demonstrated by Volksbank Mittlerer Neckar throughout the development of this project. Thanks to intensive employee participation, the building is not just new—it also enables meaningful cultural transformation. Mindset, ways of working, transparency, and openness were not only emphasized during this process but were key contributors to the project's success.
Experiencing real estate virtually
What is usually confined to plans and models became reality at the event:
VR stations, led by Drees & Sommer’s experts in User Centric Solutions (UCS) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) fields, allowed attendees to experience real estate concepts in a tangible way—and they were very well received. The immersive digital environment enabled users to engage directly with construction planning and broaden their perspective on what's possible through digital concept development.
The future is created together
“The event provided space for exchange, inspiration, and new perspectives. And it made one thing clear: when banks, planning experts, and users collaborate, a financial world emerges that is ready for the future.”
Impressions:
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