ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union and design-build firm NewGround have won CUNA's best practice award for branch design.

They were presented with the award at the 11th annual CUNA OpSS council conference.

“We are honored to be recognized by the CUNA OpSS council for our work with Tucson Old Pueblo. Our mission is to continuously innovate and provide breakthrough design. Tucson Old Pueblo is an embodiment of this vision. It is a dynamic, efficient, one-of-a-kind design,” said Kevin Blair, president/CEO of NewGround.

Entries for the design competition were judged on how they “pushed the envelope” and differentiated the look of branches. In addition, judges critiqued the nontraditional elements deployed in the new or remodeled branch to enhance member growth.

Tucson Old Pueblo CU decided to expand in the Tucson market with a modern space that demonstrated it was part of the Tucson community and committed to providing members with the technology and superior service its members crave. The credit union turned to NewGround to create a warm, inviting environment that looks and feels like Tucson.

Authenticity was an important element in the creation of Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union's new branch. The facility reflects the Tucson community with its Southwestern design style. The environment is an important architectural element when it comes to building in the Tucson area. Natural materials such as splayed stucco walls, a clay-tiled roof, vigas and a kiva fireplace were used to create a space that reflects the heritage and character of Tucson.

The space is also environmentally sound and takes into consideration the more than 350 days of sunshine Tucson gets a year. Passive solar design was used to cool the facility. Wide-span lattices were used as sunscreens for shading the building. The orientation of the branch brings in natural light, and solar tubes were placed around the skylights to collect energy and give the impression of continuous light from above.

The cultural motif interplays with the contemporary functional components of a financial environment to provide an inviting and engaging atmosphere. An open teller line, cash recyclers and dispensers, digital screens, an Internet station and an investment area converge with the Adobe-style design to create a unique branch that pushes the envelope of design and speaks directly to the Tucson market.

NuUnion CU Is Branching Out

LANSING, Mich. — NuUnion Credit Union has recently begun preparations for its new branch in south Lansing.

Area community and city and state leaders cheered when demolition began on the former Regent Inn hotel, which was not only a longstanding community eyesore but served as a center for criminal activity.

In its place, the credit union is preparing to build a leadership in energy and environmental design-certified, state-of-the-art banking facility.

The new branch is expected to provide a major economic boost to the key commercial corridor in Michigan's Capitol City. Redevelopment of the Regent Inn site was made possible through the use of incentives from the Michigan Brownfield program. The incentives were approved by the City of Lansing and the State of Michigan this summer and assist with several issues that make redevelopment of the Brownfield site challenging, including demolition, drainage rerouting and asbestos removal. Asbestos abatement began immediately following the state's approval in August to prepare for the demolition.

Taylor CU Selects La Macchia Group

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Taylor Credit Union has tapped design-build firm La Macchia Group to design and build its new branch in Abbotsford, Wis.

Construction of Taylor Credit Union's new 4,000-square-foot, sustainable branch office will include solar tube lighting and geothermal heating and cooling along with a drive-up teller lane, a 24-hour drive-up ATM and a night deposit box.

“This building is situated as an entrance to Abbotsford which will make the credit union visible and accessible to the members of the community,” said La Macchia Group Senior Project Architect Jim Fryk.

Dignitaries Turn Out for Ribbon Cutting

MEDFORD, Mass. — Members Plus Credit Union recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new full-service High Street branch and operations center.

Mayor Michael McGlynn kicked off the festivities with a speech welcoming the credit union to Medford Square. Cheryl White, executive director of the Medford Chamber of Commerce, also welcomed Members Plus to the business community.

Mayor McGlynn did the honors of cutting the ribbon in front of the credit union's staff and directors, members of the Massachusetts Credit Union League, White, and Sam Tarabelsi, the president-elect of the chamber.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony jumpstarted a week of grand opening events, including refreshments, daily gas card giveaways and three grand prize drawings for a flat panel television, Nintendo Wii and GPS system.

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RECU Staff, Volunteers Celebrate

ATLANTA — Retail Employees' Credit Union members, board members, staff and vendors recently celebrated the grand opening of a new corporate headquarters.

To mark the day-long event, RECU Board Chairperson Bernice Bailey began the festivities with a ribbon cutting.

“We are thrilled to offer our members this convenient new location,” said Bailey. “We are now better situated to serve both the Macy's corporate associates and the employees of Perimeter Mall.”

Grand opening attendees were treated to donuts, coffee, giveaways, music, a financial literacy session and fresh popcorn from a popcorn machine.

“We took this opportunity to thank our existing members and reach out to those who have not yet joined” said RECU Marketing Specialist Vivian English. “Our members enjoyed touring the new facility and learning more about the benefits of membership.”