The largest natural person credit union in the world, with assets at $40 billion and a membership of more than 3,300,000, underwent a multi-phased expansion of its campus. Three buildings and a parking deck/energy plant have achieved LEED Gold status so far, with a fourth building, currently under construction, also expected to achieve LEED Gold certification.
Approximately 134,000 square feet(12,449 m2) of RHEINZINK’s 22-gauge, 0.03-inch (0.8-mm) Flat Lock Tile in Graphite Gray was used on buildings 2 and 3, and the parking deck. The square footage of the two finished buildings total 325,000 square feet(30,193 m2), with the parking deck accommodating 1,142 cars. Building 4, scheduled for completion in spring 2011, will provide 220,000 square feet (20,438 m2) of office space and will be partially clad in RHEINZINK Flat Lock Tile as well.
The directives from Navy Federal were two-fold, according to building 4 project architect Michael Wirsching, AIA, from ASD. “The owners wanted LEED certification to assure sustainability and energy savings. And they wanted the design to be employee focused. Both requirements were extremely important.”
The RHEINZINK panels interact with and complement a masonry façade. “We like the RHEINZINK because of the way it looks, its self-healing nature and its durability and lifespan. It also offers good recycled content,” Wirsching said.
“The flat lock panels interact with and complement the parts of the facade that are masonry,” said Eric Simonsen, V.P of project management at MetalTech-USA, the fabricator. “We worked closely with ASD and the installers, Specialty Contractors & Pierre Construction, to create a cohesive design that echoes the surrounding natural characteristics.
“The RHEINZINK panels create an interesting play of light and shadow. Using an integrated team approach that involves the designers, engineers, client, general contractor and subcontractors from the outset gets everyone on the same page, saving time and money.”
The campus components are aesthetically expressed to create a cohesive design recalling project focus–office regionally prominent qualities. The colors and textures of water, grass and sand are repeated and intermingled to create an environment suggesting the surrounding natural characteristics.
The campus offers an almost endless list of employee amenities meant to increase both efficiency and employee retention. In 2008, Navy Federal Credit Union was listed as one of Fortune Magazine’s Top 100 Places to Work.
Architect/interior designer: ASD, Atlanta
Fabricator: MetalTech—USA, Peachtree City, Ga.
Installer: Specialty Contractors, Pensacola, and Pierre Construction Group Inc., Stone Mountain, Ga.
Metal wall panels: RHEINZINK America Inc., Woburn, Mass., www.rheinzink.com
