Branch Bank
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In June 2003, Wells Fargo Bank invited The Amend Group to assist them in providing a project solution for a new branch bank to be located in Watauga, Texas. The land site that was purchased by Wells Fargo for the branch bank had an existing service station building of approximately 3,500 square feet on the site. Several designs had been attempted: modifying the existing building to use as a branch bank, adding on to the building, and demolishing the building and starting over. Wells Fargo preferred an option for demolishing the existing building and constructing a new 4,000 square foot building on the site, but their cost projections were not acceptable, and none of their options met the project's cost goals. Therefore, the project was stalled, and Wells Fargo was looking for new ideas.
The Amend Group reviewed all the requirements and cost elements of the project and came up with a plan to demolish the existing building and to construct a new 4,038 square foot branch bank. Also recommended were reductions in some of the furniture and equipment items that were planned to be purchased by the client. In order to speed up the process and reduce costs to Wells Fargo, a design/build approach was recommended and accepted.
A "design to cost" methodology was used to reduce the cost of the project to be within budget constraints established by Wells Fargo. Architects at The Amend Group, working in close harmony with their in-house Construction Group, demolished the existing building and completed a total new design for the branch bank. Value engineering and cost estimating was performed "over the shoulder" by The Amend Group's construction specialists during the design process to yield a cost-effective, yet striking, architecture design that set a new tone for Wells Fargo’s branch banks.
The Amend Group's proposed design was based on the existing prototype which was modified to remove a complex, multi-level roof design and replaced it with a simple but attractive roof that eliminated excess structure that provided no functional purpose. Exterior surfaces were proposed as simulated stone and stucco to further reduce cost. The front of the building was modified to make better use of the architectural elements for functional purposes. What were non-functional exterior columns were modified to serve as interior closet spaces for the adjoining conference rooms. The interiors were revised to make better use of the space than was shown on the other design options being proposed. This was done by closely scrutinizing every square foot of the space plan for opportunities to make each space more efficient. The Amend Group's approach saved the client over 9% in design/build costs from the lowest cost alternative that the client was considering.
The Amend Group developed alternate furniture selections while maintaining equivalent quality to reduce furniture cost by 31%. Recommendations were made to reduce the cost of bank equipment by 38%. While this required elimination of certain items, the client agreed that, in order to save cost on this project, the recommendation was good and it was accepted.
All the reductions added up to an overall project cost reduction of 10%, which met the client's cost objectives and allowed them to proceed with the project. The Amend Group was awarded the project, completed the design, and constructed the building. The Watauga branch bank opened for business on schedule on March 8, 2004.
The completed facility is very functional and efficient, and has an excellent appearance inside and out. Wells Fargo bank personnel seem to be very pleased with the outcome. Even the technician responsible for mechanical and electrical maintenance expressed his solid approval of the design. This branch bank design provides Wells Fargo with a prototype that:
- Provides a standard for form and finishes for future branch banks
- Can be easily replicated with only site and size adaptationst
- Sets a new standard for branch bank costs
- Satisfies bank personnel and bank customers
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