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4/11/08 – Construction complete at Washougal
After months of planning, designing and good old-fashioned hard work, construction has wrapped up on our Washougal branch. Please join us as we officially open April 21. We can’t wait to see our members visit this one-of-a-kind branch!
Drop by our new Washougal branch starting April 21. You can even take an eco-tour to see all the features that make this unique branch sustainable.
Our green branch is a great example of how sustainability can not only be good for the environment, but also beautiful! These gorgeous wood floors are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council for being harvested in an environmentally responsible way.
While in our waiting area, take a seat in a chair made from 100 percent post-industrial recycled polyester and enjoy the view of our natural water feature.
3/28/08 – Finishing touches at Washougal
We’re gearing up for our official branch opening on April 21. Finishing touches are being completed as recycled and reclaimed furniture moves in, landscaping takes root and the building is flushed out for superior indoor air quality.
From the outside, it’s easy to tell that our branch is nearing completion. The landscaping consists of native plants that will require less irrigation and fertilizer, resulting in greater water conservation.
One of the most unusual and exciting features of our flagship green branch has got to be this rainwater cistern. Rainwater is harvested for use in irrigation and non-potable indoor plumbing.
With just a little elbow grease, the inside of our branch will be sparkling with that green-building glow! Members will be lining up at teller’s row in a matter of days.
03/27/2008 – Skylight installed at Washougal
Our Washougal branch is nearing completion as we prepare for our April 21 opening. A pyramid-shaped skylight has been installed and the finishing touches are in process. Soon enough, members will be pouring in to take advantage of our latest convenient location!
One of our Washougal branch’s most recognizable features, an omni-directional skylight, has been installed. This skylight lets light pour in from any direction, reducing the need for electricity.
Our Washougal branch will offer a convenient drive-through for members
who need to make quick transactions on their way home from work or
running errands.
The omni-directional skylight is sure to be a landmark feature of our LEED-certified branches. Future branches will incorporate the same skylight design to maximize sunlight, no matter what direction the branch faces.
03/04/2008 – Stucco and paint on walls
It’s amazing what our construction crews can accomplish in just a couple of weeks with great weather at hand! The exterior stucco is done, and there’s even paint on some of the interior walls. Take a look at these great pictures of our gorgeous new branch.
The stucco on the exterior of our Washougal branch is now complete. Local Camas stone finishes the entryway, wrapping inside the building and into the foyer where members may use a self-serve coin machine.
At the drive-through window, members can make quick, convenient transactions. Some cabinets have already been installed.
Many of the interior walls have already been painted with low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint. Colors include a warm copper, an earthy brown and a wasabi green.
2/20/2008 – Camas stone adds a local touch
Now that the interior and exterior walls have been sealed on our Washougal branch, construction crews have started to add the details that will make this building a unique Columbia branch. Locally quarried Camas stone adds a regional touch to the exterior entryway and foyer. All the while, crews are remembering to recycle first.
Crews work on the exterior of the branch. An external heater (not shown) helps dry the walls on the inside of the building without using the HVAC system, which would run the risk of HVAC contamination.
As crews work on the inside of the branch, they must take care to dispose of materials in the proper fashion. Trash and recycling containers help remind crews of the strict rules.
Camas stone from a local quarry adds texture and a regional feel to the branch entry. The stone continues into the foyer inside the branch.
01/29/2008 – Recyclable metal and rainwater collection greens branch
As we build our new branch, we’re taking care to use not only materials that are recycled, but those that can be recycled and reused at the end of their lives. Take, for example, our metal framing, which is lighter and more economic than wood, but also can be recycled after our branch is long gone. We’re also beginning to see our rainwater collection system, a truly unique green feature!
Part of the building’s frame is constructed with recyclable metal siding that can be recovered and reused years into the future.
A pad is constructed around the corner from the branch’s drive-through window. This pad will hold the cistern that collects rainwater, which will be used to flush toilets and irrigate the landscape.
The HVAC ducts have been sealed to preserve indoor air quality, protecting air from contaminants that are produced by the construction process.
01/15/2008 – Concrete and HVAC are eco-friendly
There’s a lot that goes into building a LEED-certified branch. You might not recognize some of these fascinating features if you didn’t know they were there. Take, for example, our recently installed porous concrete, or our highly efficient HVAC system. Read on to learn more!
The roof is now firmly attached to the building! A drive-through window will welcome our members on wheels – what a great fit for members who take advantage of our E-Go Green Auto Loan to buy a fuel-efficient car, truck or SUV.
Rainwater and runoff from the blacktop will drain into this special “porous” concrete – we think it looks a little like Rice Krispies Treats! From there, water dissipates into the rock below and returns to the earth.
Soon, crews will install this duct work into the ceiling as part of an incredibly efficient HVAC system that will save energy on a monthly basis.
12/27/07 – Roof and drive-through canopy arise
Our Washougal branch is looking more and more like a real branch every day! With the first signs of a roof now protecting the inside of the building from the elements, construction crews can soon expect to seal the branch and install siding.
A canopy is built over the drive-through area, sheltering members from the elements during the rainy season.
An omnidirectional skylight is one of the branch’s many sustainable features. The unique shape of this skylight captures the sun from many angles, helping illuminate the inside of the branch and boost worker productivity, while reducing the need for electricity.
Construction crews work inside the branch before it is sealed off. Once the building is sealed, builders must meet very tight LEED standards for indoor air quality.
12/19/07 – Four walls raised
Excitement is growing as the four walls of our new Washougal branch are raised! During this phase of construction on our sustainable branch, we’re following highly detailed LEED standards. Right now, we’re taking care to buy sustainable construction products, track materials and manage our waste in an environmentally-responsible manner.
Our Washougal branch now has four walls. Here, you can see the windows that will help illuminate our loan officers’ workspaces with natural lighting.
A sign identifies our branch as a green site. Our drive-through window will make it easy for members to make quick transactions.
An inviting entrance will welcome members into our branch. A rainwater pond will be constructed just outside the entryway.
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