Client Objective:

The featured project is a new building for Cyprus Credit Union. The building functions as the credit unions' headquarters, department offices, and an additional credit union branch. Creating a consistent feel, while accommodating the spaces multiple functions was a design challenge. The branch needed to be inviting to credit union members, the department offices needed to be comfortable yet efficient, and the executive suite needed to be dignified and functional. Besides the multi-use challenge the client wanted the space to reflect its beginnings as the copper mine smelter's employees' credit union.

Design Solutions:

• To give the space a consistent feel through the three main areas the same cream and green colors were used in the finishes. In the department areas, open and private offices used consistent color and fabric schemes. Natural light was added to the space with the use of clerestory windows in the private offices. In the branch we continued with the same colors, furniture, and some of the fabrics but added cherry and maple in the millwork to bring additional rich tones making the space warm and inviting. The branch's atrium wall was done in glass to distinguish it for members from the other office areas. In the executive suite we kept the same colors and furniture but upgraded the fabrics and added leather to give a more sophisticated atmosphere. Additional warmth was added by framing the doors and interior windows in cherry wood.
• To reflect the client's history the building was shaped like a mineral crystal that was extracted from the copper mine. From the outside the atrium appears as a second crystal attached at an angle to the main cube. The drive through is a smaller attached crystal at another angle. The cube effect from the crystal is carried through the interior spaces with the use of canted end walls, hard corners, and in the branch counter design which has a cube feel. A cube design was also incorporated in the fabric and carpet patterns with cubes in the textured glass windows. The historic echo was enhanced by placing vintage photos of the mine and smelter throughout the different areas.