When UW Credit Union embarked on a substantial expansion of their existing corporate headquarters on Madison’s west side, they sought an evolved brand experience and bespoke spaces for the 100,000 square foot office building. With a newly built architectural shell as an expansion of their existing corporate office, the design would need to imaginatively and cohesively blend old and new together. Even more, the space would need to spotlight the credit union’s significant history in Wisconsin and reaffirm their prominence and promise for members on and beyond university campuses.
The Solution:
Over the past several years, UW Credit Union (UWCU) has partnered with Adrenaline for the design and construction of their signature spaces. With the new corporate expansion, they again sought out the financial services experts to deliver conceptual ideas and best practice recommendations, create interior design and space planning for key areas, and translate the scale of the building into human-centric experiences.
The finished interior blends the building’s architectural aesthetic with UWCU’s brand positioning and key elements, showcasing the credit union’s mission, values, and history in thoughtful ways throughout the space. The result is a seamless experience where the old and new building meet, with signature design elements that communicate UW Credit Union’s vision and values.
The Story:
Adrenaline has been partnering with UWCU over the past six years to craft their member experience and branch strategy – completing two experience design strategy sessions and designing 10 branches across their network. For this important investment in their corporate headquarters, the credit union again turned to their trusted partner to develop the brand experience, this time for their workspace and staff.
We are getting SO much positive (raving!) feedback about the design. Team Adrenaline delivers and delights once again!”
– Ann Norman, Senior Chief Marketing & Product Strategy Officer at UW Credit Union
Throughout the project, Adrenaline worked in partnership with UWCU’s architect of record to incorporate the firm’s plans and preferences for interior materials, lighting, and finishes. The credit union wanted both of their partners to come to the table with a collaborative approach for a seamless design and detailed execution. Adrenaline’s construction services team tracked the scope within the scale of the building, navigated an elongated construction schedule, and implemented all brand graphics.
Using the architect’s construction documents to develop and enhance the interiors, Adrenaline created a design plan that was customized to the client’s needs. Solutions included integrated brand signage, customized millwork that played off key architectural features, lighting concepts to enhance established wall finishes, and a tailor-made environmental graphic design package for wayfinding throughout the large building.
Tasked with designing and detailing the executive board room, the design team focused on crafting a custom round table with integrated power. The table and feature lighting above were the centerpiece of the space, and all ceiling, flooring, wall, entry and digital focal points were created to spotlight this focal point.
Effectively executing the board room design required massive coordination with UWCU’s architectural and construction partners. Even more, all of the integrated brand messaging and wayfinding throughout the space took that same deep coordination to ensure a successful design output.
Another key area of design was the “Connector” – a grand walkway between the existing building and the new addition. UWCU had a goal of making this thoroughfare a seamless connection point where old and new meet.
The design team provided conceptual direction, schematic planning, finish recommendations, and a very detailed environmental graphics solution. A series of open shelves were strategically placed to divide the expansive corridor into a social zone and circulation zone.
Over the course of the design-build process, Adrenaline was plugged into the construction documentation development and provided several designs and implementation scopes, for focus on key areas such as the lobby, the corridor and connecting spaces, conference rooms, and a big focus on the executive suite and brand storytelling spaces.
In the design of these spaces, there was an emphasis on the brand’s history, culture, and future. The 3D museum-style display celebrating UW Credit Union is a focal point of the entire building.
