Acadia Federal Credit Union has a new high-profile location on Broadway in Bangor, made possible by the purchase of the 12,500 SF former Rite Aid building. Acadia FCU commissioned WBRC to design a distinctive, user-friendly branch and training center that leverages technology and advances Acadia FCU’s growing brand identity.
One key technology is the use of video-assisted teller terminals (VAT) in lieu of a physical drive-up window. These terminals enable Acadia FCU staff and customers to interact “virtually” with high-quality video and audio, while also allowing for real-time documents and currency exchange via tubes. A small standalone station is located around the corner from the main teller line, where staff can serve drive-through customers with acoustic privacy. It includes a stone wall and signage identical to what is in the lobby, giving drive-through customers a consistent branded visual.
The design team chose glazed interior wall systems to maximize transparency and lines of sight, while also enabling closed-door conversations. Other features of Acadia FCU’s new branch and training center include a flexible classroom with operable partition and a roomy staff kitchen with lockers. Design decisions throughout help enhance Acadia FCU’s brand identity, from the shapes of the soffit and teller pods to the flooring and fabric patterns. The total footprint for Acadia Federal Credit Union’s new space is 8,500 SF, with the remaining 4,000 SF devoted to commercial tenant space.