FIRST FEDERAL BANK

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Due to the complexity of the site, there was a significant coordination effort between the geotech, environmental, structural, civil and architectural consultants and the owner, developer, legal partners and other business consultants in order to successfully overcome this challenge.
• The building, its utilities and the monument signs are all supported by driven piles (over 300), reaching in excess of 80-feet through the soil, and grade beams. An extensive venting system was also integrated in order to properly address potential methane gas emissions of the decomposing peat.
• Inspired by the curvature of First Federal’s flag logo, a curved wall detail serves as the predominant design feature for this structure. In plan, the curve pulls the front entry of the building closer to the high traffic corner while the curve in elevation brings the prominent stone wall (a symbol of security) to its peak at the entry and main customer circulation path. While the stone wall is rising towards the entry, the glass curtain wall is revealing more of the upper office space and maximizing daylighting as it works its way towards the center of the site.
• The lower level of the building includes the retail bank operations, bank offices and three drive-through lanes.
• The second level provides rentable office space as well as a boardroom to serve the office suites and the bank’s conference functions.
• A two-story vestibule with a feature wall of custom walnut panels and a signature light fixture that appears to be floating in space provides a dramatic point of entry for both the bank and the commercial tenants upstairs.