Entering into a growth phase of their business, Honor Credit Union was in need of a strategy which would allow them to keep up with the flow of their evolving business. Collective Office developed an adaptable approach with a suite of building typologies to be deployed throughout southwest Michigan. This range of modular buildings can grow and shrink to respond to market demand and the goals of the client across varied sites. This adaptable approach offers a flexible solution for consistent growth over the next 10-15 years where branches can be added readily as needed and can provide an even distribution of service into new markets.
These buildings all take a quietly modern approach to their design with simple gestures that reinforce their “member owned” philosophy and differentiate them from the stuffy world of traditional banking institutions. A member lounge acts as the central piece of the floor plan where members can chat, have a coffee, or simply catch up with a friend. Traditional offices are reimagined as member meeting rooms that welcome in their members and interact with the adjacent coffee bar. The interior of each of these plans maximize natural lighting, with minimal fixtures and flexible seating that can be easily tailored to each location.
When expanding into a new region, the first stage of expansion is establishing a regional flagship branch. These flagship locations are both a corporate leadership office and a client facing branch service point. The result of this structure is the creation of a distributed leadership network, reducing the space required for corporate offices and providing more responsive leadership to surrounding branch locations. These "flagships" are equipped with 4 private offices, 4-5 teller stations, a meeting room, and 2-3 drive through lanes. The exterior finishes are simple and elegant with brick and glass that open the location out to the community, reinforcing the transparency the brand has with their members. For a closer look at a flagship branch explore Honor Flagship: St Joseph, MI.
Once the leadership in the region is established with the flagship location, smaller branches can be added to close any gaps in each market. These buildings contain 2-3 private offices, 2-4 teller stations, and 1-3 drive through lanes. The arrangement of the plans can shrink or stretch based on the required space each unique location needs. The smallest typologies can shrink down to storefronts that fit into most retail bays. With a focus on ease of construction, these buildings could be erected in a short time frame with simple construction methods, furthering the value that this suite of buildings can offer towards expanding efficiently.
Honor Credit Union is shifting the traditional banking model to more of a retail experience that is focused on connecting their members with the appropriate banking products and services to meet their needs. The buildings designed by Collective Office place the members at the center of each location, and reinforce Honor’s brand ideals at every turn. Together we are providing a space that reflects the company’s enduring philosophy on the banking experience.
