Credit Union's Modern Interior Transformation

Travis Credit Union

With a commitment to its 20,000 members and their communities, Travis Credit Union of California helps underserved populations to achieve financial wellbeing and to acquaint them with its philosophy of “people helping people.”

As part of its massive branch transformation project, the credit union systematically is renovating each of its branches to align members’ banking experiences with today’s technological trends, to modernize the aesthetics, and to standardize its presence with a dynamic branding scheme for the retail facet of the organization.

Improved member services and comfort

Travis Credit Union at Vaca Commons, built in 1992, is a 6,000-square-foot, single-story structure. This original branch was designed with a more conventional approach to branch banking.

“Travis Credit Union decided to combine the Branch with Wealth Management because it wanted to utilize square footage unused by the branch to provide the Wealth Management team a ‘home base,’ where members specifically seeking wealth management services can meet with advisors in a more private office environment,” explained Ken Nagy, Travis Credit Union’s associate vice president for facilities and support services.

Bright, light and sustainable

Further helping to create more comfortable areas throughout the space, the waiting areas’ ceiling design features a circular, low soffit with suspended lighting. The smooth surface and bright white color of the Artic ceiling panels reflects up to 85 percent (0.85 LR) of light. During the day, natural light from the exterior is reflected throughout the interior, which lessens the need for electrical illumination.

The high light reflectance, recycled content and indoor air quality attributes of Rockfon Artic ceiling panels also contributed to the project’s sustainability objectives, according to Sulzinger. “The branch transformation at Vaca Commons exceeded the 2016 California Green Building requirements for construction waste management, sustainable finishes, recycling, building materials, and new mechanical and electrical, including the stringent Title 24 California requirements for lighting and energy consumption.”

She noted that the stone wool ceiling panels have earned UL® Environment’s GREENGUARD Gold Certification for low-emitting products, a benefit recognized by the State of California’s Department of Public Health Services Standard Practice for Specification.

Supporting worker wellness and safety, installing contractors also appreciate that Rockfon ceiling panels are lightweight, easy to carry and simple to install into the Chicago Metallic® ceiling suspension system.

Successful prototype

The progressive design and successful renovation of the Travis Credit Union Vaca Commons Branch and Wealth Management office provided a prototype for other locations. The credit union’s Atwater Branch office and the Willow Pass/Concord location also feature Rockfon® Artic ceiling systems as installed by DK Acoustics, in collaboration with Sierra View and arcINTERIORS.

“Succeeding branch transformations modeled after it, left nothing to chance,” said Sulzinger. “The success of the design of this project truly was a team effort!”