Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson Architects — Little Rock, Arkansas
News
First Arkansas Bank & Trust Opens New Branch in Sherwood
04/22/2011
First Arkansas Bank & Trust held its grand opening for their new Sherwood Branch on Monday, March 4, 2011. The Wildwood Branch, resting on the corner of Wildwood and Country Club is a 10,427 square foot, two-story facility. The design recalls the main Jacksonville three-story building made of pre-cast veneer, but also has its own unique identity for the prime location in Sherwood. The project broke ground mid-summer 2010 and was completed February 2011. While facing the intersection, the bank uses earth mounds to landscape its natural green border, while screening cars located in the parking lot from view. The bank is designed with cast stone and red spandrel glass to reinforce the bank's red and white brand. A highly prominent red Arkansas logo sits on three sides of the stair-tower, easily seen from nearby Highway 67/167.The building functions primarily as a branch location. The second floor contains offices and conferencing, which supports the bank's mortgage department First Arkansas Mortgage Company (FAMC). The branch was designed with many sustainable features-Heat gain: Plenty of glass windows cover the building exterior for views out and to provide natural daylight for all interior spaces. The sunshades minimize the harsh angles of the west and southwest afternoon sun. The site paving and roof elements are designed to minimize heat island effect of the entire project site, reducing heat gain both to the building, the building site and the immediate context. White highly reflective roof membrane, known as a "cool roof", keep the building cooler and resist heat collection.; while parking and drives are made from white concrete paving. The building is also fixed at the angle of the intersection, so that the deep overhang and sunshades will have maximum effectiveness and help reduce energy costs from heat gain. Interior finishes: Additionally, the interior was designed with carpet tiles made from recycled backing and fibers. High efficiency lighting & lighting/occupancy controls, as well as plumbing fixtures installed with sensors to reduce water are all in place for overall control of energy consumption. The millwork utilized eucalyptus wood which, like bamboo, has a fast growth and is a great renewable wood.Storm collection: An underground storm water collection system was designed in the parking area to catch the rainfall and slow it underground before discharging it off site. All together, this branch makes for a responsible building footprint both to First Arkansas Bank & Trust and its employees, but also to the community as it promotes a healthier building environment and reduces demand on energy and natural resources.
See photos of the new bank on our WD&D Facebook Page.