This Russian doll of a building exemplifies how buildings learn, adapt, and are reinvented throughout their life. The design team had two goals: 1) update the mechanics of financial transactions with strategic and efficient design moves, and 2) provide a livelier and healthier work environment. Numerous previous additions throughout the building’s history played a role in determining the final project configuration. Ultimately, the interior was reinvented through largely reductive editing and revisiting the building’s strengths.

Originally constructed as an automotive repair shop in the 1950’s, the building had a shallow gabled roof. In the late 1960’s a new low-slope addition was built onto the rear of the building covering a portion of the gabled roof. In the mid 1990’s a new steeper gabled roof (a third roof!) was added to the cover the building, and an post modern entry vestibule was added, as were a west addition, and east drive-through canopy.

Design changes were chosen for maximum economy. The largely opaque entry vestibule was removed. The skylight openings that were abandoned mid-1990s were connected to new apertures in the upper roof plane. The 8-foot ceiling over the teller area was removed - up to the underside of the original 1950’s framing. At the exterior the subtly different tones of box rib metal and new paint colors highlight and frame the building’s core mass. The theme continues on the interior where the darker flooring and wall finishes of the offices and conference room contrast with the core lobby.