Blue Bell: The Belle of the Ball!
Additional Info
Award Winner : NewGround
Architectural Excellence : Blue Bell, PA is a community that blends Colonial history with modern day lifestyle. Architectural standards dictate that 18th century native stone dominate the exterior of buildings in the business district. NewGround’s design team blended the look of Revolutionary War architecture with an interior that was 21st century high-tech banking at its finest, so that neither element looked out of place. Retail customers could transact basic banking functions while wealthy customers, requiring specialized services, have complete privacy or enjoy a cup of coffee at the Millennium café, while learning about a variety of financial services that the bank offers.
A custom designed curved teller counter with branded graphics overhead designating service for a quick transaction retail customer or for a business customer needing extra services was featured along with multimedia plasma screens advertising the bank’s products, services and marketing messages.
Cost Energy Effectiveness : The bank was focused on energy efficiency due to rising energy costs. Well insulated walls, roof areas, and under the floor, coupled with high energy efficiency gas furnaces and condensing units, offset some of the higher energy costs.
Factory built construction allowed NewGround to complete a major portion of the building under controlled conditions, concurrently with the local site preparation. Construction of the factory built structure proceeded smoothly and quickly, unhindered by cold winter weather. Significant cost and time savings were realized, and the bank opened ahead of schedule.
With costs being closely monitored, having their building built in a factory, with a predetermined cost, was a bonus. The cost effectiveness of factory construction allowed the bank to build a larger building, giving them a stronger presence in the marketplace. Impressed with how quickly their new facility opened, the bank has already contracted with NewGround for their next branch!
Design Firm Name : NewGround Resources, Inc.
Occupied Date : 7/12/2007
Production Start Date : 11/8/2006
Project Location City : Blue Bell
Project Location State Name : PA
Technical Innovation : Utilizing factory-built construction allowed us to open the facility much quicker than by way of site-built construction and yet still provide a very functional layout, optimizing services offered, meanwhile still creating the exciting contemporary look and feel that made the Bank’s competition look truly stodgy.
The interior introduced high tech banking to the community. NewGround’s experience retail designers created an environment where staff welcomed customers and directed them either to a teller counter for quick and efficient transactions, or to private office suites for account openings and loan functions, or a conference room for lengthier financial transactions and closings. A spacious waiting area with ample seating, coffee bar, and digital plasma screen with the bank’s own custom messaging is used to promote new products and increase account penetration. Rave reviews from customers and substantial deposits verified the strategy.
Total Square Feet : 4290