Our Credit Union - Washington Road Branch

Services Provided:  Retail Design and Team Build renovation of existing branch

Completed:  January 2009
Job Cost: $317,207
Building Size:  1,950 sq. ft. 
Location:  Renovated Branch - Royal Oak, MI

Description:  The client had inherited a branch from a small parish credit union they had merged with.  The location was good, directly across the street from a community college.  The building was built in the ’50s and the branch looked like it hadn’t been updated since.  The teller area was not member-friendly at all with bullet-proof glass everywhere.  The member service area was behind closed doors and not easily accessible by members. 

We started by totally gutting the space and starting over.  We added a large picture window into the side of the building facing the community college and set up a very inviting WiFi bar.  We also moved the entrance to the corner of the building and angled it to the sidewalk to invite prospective members.  We also added windows in the member service area to bring in some light. 

We provided schematic design, millwork design, wayfinding signage, interior graphics and merchandising as well exterior signage design.  Every aspect of how the branch would be shopped was looked at as well as how it would be perceived by the OUR CU members, prospective members, and the community.  A totally new brand was created for OUR CU that we have since re-sized and utilized in their HQ, Troy branch, and will use again in their new Warren branch this Spring. 

The client ended up with a totally new branch for a very low investment.  We basically only kept the walls and roof from the original structure.  The transformation was truly spectacular!