Construction Management, Cost Estimating & Bidding
SUMMARY
With a growing presence in the Fox Valley region of Wisconsin, Evergreen Credit Union’s mission continues to become clearer and stronger. Environmental concerns are becoming the number one priority for many Americans today. It’s what people care about and spend their free time volunteering for when they can. As Evergreen Credit Union continued growing, it wanted to better service members in a natural and sustainable way that stays true to its company mission. In February 2021, it opened its second branch in a prime location and is now meeting members right where they live, work, shop and go to school.
Building For a Sustainable Future
Not only was this branch location built with member convenience in mind, but it was designed for sustainability and to live up to its mission of becoming the most environmentally responsible credit union in the nation. This incredible mission is one of the most unique qualities about Evergreen Credit Union, and although only less than 2,000 square feet, this branch packs quite the environmentally friendly punch from the inside out.
Evergreen’s new Appleton location was built with solar panels, undoubtedly increasing the building’s property value. Having a solar energy system not only ensures low energy costs, but it improves their image as a green company. Like any other commercial building utilizing solar energy, it’s unlikely that it will go completely off the grid – the interconnected network for electricity delivery. However, solar energy systems do replace the majority of electricity usage with renewable sources, feeding the forward-thinking objectives for this green credit union.
The locally sourced materials are seen throughout the space and upon entry, a 13-foot mural is seen.
An Eco-Friendly Yet Branded Design
This eco-friendly development was designed to reduce the overall negative impact on the natural environment and human & animal health through the use of energy and other resources. Everything from the shape of the building to the materials used were thoughtfully selected to create a structure that did the least impact on the environment, but still stayed within the credit union’s budget. Here are a few solutions La Macchia Group helped Evergreen Credit Union implement:
Some aspects were recycled content materials, locally sourced wood and stone products
Glass that reflects UV light so birds do not collide with the building
Water conservation plumbing fixtures
The shape of the building was to accommodate the solar array and gain the most payback for their energy consumption
During the planning of this new branch, Evergreen decided to shift from the use of teller lines to teller pods, a great move for any financial institution. Community involvement was also key for the institution, so hosting events and providing additional amenities for patrons was important. Two bike racks and a bike repair station were installed on the credit union’s property along with EV charging stations.
Naturally Better Forever
The Evergreen Credit Union brand is truly unique, and when a member walks into the space it feels like they’re part of something bigger. The locally sourced materials are seen throughout the space and upon entry, a 13-foot mural is seen. This mural, painted with dark and light gray forest trees, pays homage to the Fox Valley area and is complemented with light fixtures that look like twinkling stars, portraying a beautiful starry night in the woods.
