A successful credit union branch strategy means meeting members’ needs today and in the future. As opposed to a single solution, a successful credit union branch strategy requires Distinctive Thinking, an integrated solution defined by the member, community and the brand. Read on for 7 considerations to deliver a successful credit union branch network strategy.
Wood WORKS! BC recently recognized municipalities around BC for their use of wood in community infrastructure projects. Included was the RATIO-designed Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Centre in Metro Vancouver.
We Care Vancouver, organized by Workplace Resource / Herman Miller provides a gift making experience for over 300 children. This year RATIO participated with teams from SSDG, Kasian, Omicron, Perkins+Will, Smart Design Group, Stantec, ZAS, and BYU.
An award-winning purpose built wood building, designed by RATIO for Salmon Arm Savings & Credit Union’s flagship branch.
RATIO’s architectural solution for the Craigflower Pump Station in BC’s beautiful Capital Region District. A necessary community infrastructure project that integrates into the neighbourhood and parkland setting.
The new Aldergrove Port of Entry in Langley, BC is nearing completion. Full operation is expected towards the end of 2015. RATIO is proud to have been the Design Architect and Coordinating Registered Professional for the project and many other ports across British Columbia.
There is disruption occurring in banking, specifically around retail branch design and technology. The branch of the future is both high tech and high touch. A recent story in the Globe and Mail gives great examples of what is happening in the Big 5 banks that have become more technologically savvy with more services online, but still delivering high value personal services in branch. Branches that now offer a different personality than one may have found in recent past. Think open, transparent and welcoming with fewer counters and smaller spaces. Here in BC, where credit unions are a significant part of the financial services landscape and our communities, RATIO has seen an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit evident in branch design and service delivery.
CEO’s who intend to optimize a key asset, their workforce, will want to challenge them to be more productive, creative and innovative. To achieve this, workspace design must appeal to three broad categories of well-being; the physical, cognitive and emotional.
The RATIO designed Brawn Water Pump Station in Langley, BC is a practical and beautiful example of how infrastructure can co-exist in our communities. See more about our Brawn project here.
How can employers create space that serves the diverse needs of worker demographics and culture while inspiring creative collaboration and productivity? A workspace design plan should offer solutions with clear intent and outcomes.It should address the challenges of the modern office with consideration for the tension between public and private workspace. This means creating space for collaboration while allowing for focused, task-oriented space. Consider how to control visual distraction and accommodate for a diverse workforce including introverts and extraverts. And, your workspace plan should reflect and reinforce your brand values.
A forward-thinking credit union branch design helps First West achieve enviable financial performance. In June of 2014, the first of the Ratio designed Envision Financial branch concept opened in Chilliwack , BC at Garrison Crossing. With a visionary operational model, First West Credit Union’s investment into a future-focused branch network for their Envision Financial brand paid off with more new members and positive revenue results.
One of Canada’s National Historic Sites, the Triple Island Lighthouse, is to receive a complete heritage rehabilitation. RATIO has been commissioned to lead the design including a seismic upgrade and overall building refurbishment. Mike Mammone, RATIO principal, recently made a site visit and took these stunning shots from the helicopter and ground. RATIO’s work on this project is already underway with construction commencing this spring.
The conservation of heritage buildings results in economic, cultural and environmental benefits to communities. Municipalities see the impact of heritage conservation through civic pride and a sense of place with architectural diversity. Economic benefits are felt through tourism, enhanced property values and employment. The investment in heritage conservation — whether through preservation, rehabilitation, restoration or adaptive reuse — aligns with municipal sustainability strategies that will drive economic, cultural and environmental benefits to its residents. RATIO has worked on a number of heritage projects that have turned into award-winning, much loved public facilities.
The new Valley First Vernon Branch is the first of a network-wide design solution by RATIO featuring open, engaging branch spaces that promote staff interaction and personal service. Although part of the 40-plus First West Credit Union family, Valley First has a strong local brand and is a vital member of the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson communities. Branch members have a powerful connection to staff and the strength of this relationship is the framework for the branch network design. Our design solution features open, engaging branch spaces that promote staff interaction and personal service. The design platform also introduces subtle aesthetic cues through materials and finishes to acknowledge regional geographic and local demographic differences.
Recently, Business in Vancouver published a story related to the changes that have occurred with BC’s Credit Unions. The dichotomy of growing membership but fewer credit union brands is interesting and presents a challenge. The trend towards mergers in the sector means there are now fewer than 40 credit union brands compared to 1996 when there were around 100. Credit Unions are about community, people and relationships. So, how do Credit Unions keep brand consistency across credit union branches and communities? How does Credit Union branch design support those brand characteristics that set it apart from competitors and deliver on the promise of community support?
Recently published is a list of Canada’s Top 100 biggest infrastructure projects. Included is BC Hydro’s ambitious Ruskin Generating Station project (#64 on the list), a machine age hydroelectric station, still producing power but needing numerous upgrades to meet modern operating standards. RATIO is part of BC Hydro’s team on this complex, and interesting project. The Ruskin Generating Station has a historic role in British Columbia, significance to local and First Nations residents, and 1930’s Art Deco architecture. Find out more about the list, the projects, and how British Columbia ranks for projects on the go.
At the beginning of 2014, RATIO was launched. Our name is grounded in the importance of relations and relationships in our work. Between a building and its environment. Between citizens and structures. Between our firm and our clients. How do we live and breathe the RATIO story? On every project we bring distinctive thinking, rigorous creativity and a progressive approach.
We share a brief look back at our year….
Recently RATIO was asked by The Financial Brand for perspective on when a financial institution should rebrand. Having worked with some of Canada’s leading credit unions on rebrand strategies where the built environment is integral, RATIO has unique experience to share. The ‘when to rebrand’ question and perspectives offered up in the article are relevant for all businesses — not just FIs — who want to be competitive in their marketplace.
The best loved buildings in BC have been nominated and voted on in the Architectural Foundation of BC’s 100 Best Buildings Contest. RATIO is proud to have designed or involvement in four of the projects nominated. Nominations could be any structure or building in British Columbia that are best-loved, for whatever reason.
RATIO designed Salmon Arm Saving & Credit Union uptown branch was recently awarded ‘Best Retail’ in the sixth annual Southern Interior Construction Association Commercial Building Awards. In the spring of 2014, RATIO was awarded two 2014 BC Wood Design Awards in for this project: the Commercial Wood Design award; and RATIO principal Mike Mammone was honoured with the Architect Award.
The Credit Union Journal’s Special Report on The ‘branch of the future’ highlights the necessity that credit union branch design must incorporate both high tech and high touch. To illustrate the point, the reporter spoke to Island Savings Credit Union COO, Randy Bertsch and Christopher Pollard, principal, RATIO who described some of the thought behind the Island Savings “branch of the future” concept.
Major upgrades to the Ruskin Generating Station facility will increase operational efficiency, rehabilitate the aging exterior and the addition of numerous ancillary buildings and elements critical to modern operations. RATIO is a working with key stakeholders and BC Hydro on all aspects of the project. This 1930’s Art Deco facility will continue to provide clean, dependable power to British Columbia.
Imagine a venue dedicated to education, stewardship and community engagement in one of the most ecologically diverse parks in the Metro Vancouver region; imagine a new Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Centre. RATIO designed this unique campus design which will incorporate the existing Bell-Irving Hatchery, a stewardship building and the unique outdoor learning environment offered by Kanaka Creek Regional Park and its ecosystems.
The Vancouver Public Library’s Inspiration Lab is coming early in 2015. The RATIO led design will be 6000 square feet and offer library visitors a place to learn, collaborate and create with free digital tools. The Vancouver Sun reported on the massive undertaking to get the space ready which includes moving about 750,000 books, 800 bays of shelving and 50 computers and workstations.
To celebrate 100 years of architecture in British Columbia, the Architecture Foundation of British Columbia is staging the 100 Best Buildings Contest.
This spring BC residents were invited to nominate their favourite building in which to live, work or play. Nominations could be any structure or building in British Columbia that are best-loved, for whatever reason.
Nominations have closed but now it is time for the public to vote for their favourites to make up the Top 100 Buildings. Have your say and vote now. The top 25 will be chosen from each of the four regions. This October judges will determine the top 3 winning buildings from each region.
Island Savings Chemainus branch recently opened in the new Chemainus Village Square. RATIO led the corporate wide reimagination which included a branch design concept and implementation strategy. The Chemainus location ‘branch of the future’ is the 5th in the concept rollout. Even though Chemainus is the smallest branch in system, the 25’ high ceilings, full height exterior glazing and open plan make the space feel larger than it is; modern and welcoming. RATIO leveraged Island Savings new brand identity by using the already-iconic “sand dollar” motif as the basis for a 16’ x by 47’ 3D mural. The mural runs the width of the branch, acting as a unifying element that ties together all member facing branch components including entry, atm vestibule, greeter, members lounge, and teller wickets within the open plan.
Envision Financial, under the umbrella of First West Credit Union has opened the door to a new way of banking. It also introduces a fresh, cohesive design concept for the merged credit union network under First West. Their newest branch, at Garrison Crossing in Chilliwack, introduces this new member experience. During the design and planning process RATIO and the First West team re-imagined the credit union from the perspective of its true definition: a cooperative organisation of individuals for a common purpose; and as a key community stakeholder. Design decisions were made based on the client’s very successful brand drivers.
The Vancouver Public Library Foundation has launched an innovative fundraising campaign on Fundrazr for their free digital lab project dubbed the Inspiration Lab. Check out their video and donation rewards on Fundrazr. You’ll find out what the Inspiration Lab is all about and hear from project supporter Ace Fipke, CEO & Founder of Nerd Corps Entertainment.
RATIO is proud to lead the creative design for the Inspiration Lab. RATIO, in consultation with library staff, has helped to define and refine the new Inspiration Lab space. The plan for the lab maintains a cohesive link to the existing library architecture designed by renowned architect, Moshe Safdie. The sketch above shows how different activity zones will relate to one another and fit in within the original library space.
Imagine a place where you can create, explore and bring ideas to life. This is the concept of VPL’s Inspiration Lab – a free public space to nurture the talent and creativity of our city. A hub for learning and experimenting with traditional, digital and new media. VPL’s Inspiration Lab will be an incubator – a place where the next generation of Vancouver’s digital and creative community gets its start. Ratio is proud to work with the Vancouver public Library on this innovative project.
The Vancouver Public Library Foundation needs your help to bring the Inspiration Lab to life. Fundraising efforts have begun with a goal to raise $500,000. Click here to help.
Canada’s Green 30 list identifies companies that integrate sustainability programs into their workplace culture. This collection of Canadian businesses whose employees, according to consulting firm Aon Hewitt, are most positive about their record of environmental stewardship. More about the Green 30 can be found in Maclean’s. This year’s list included Island Savings and Vancity. We… Read more »
As part of the City of Vancouver’s Digital Strategy released last year, the Vancouver Public Library is re-imagining what a library ought to be in the connected world of today. A priority is the development of a new space within its Downtown Central Branch with creative design coming from RATIO. This space (approximately 6000 sf) will house a digital media workspace, dubbed the Inspiration Lab. The area is envisioned as a hub where people can create, learn, interact and collaborate through technological tools and resources. What makes this space different is the introduction of creative activities into a traditional library setting. Imagine a space with graphic, audio and multimedia tools that encourage creativity. Imagine a flexible and collaborative workspace as opposed to banks of library work desks and enclosed meeting spaces. Imagine vibrant and dynamic space that can be used in a multitude of ways, for various events and circumstances.
Here’s a first glance at what the new Aldergrove border crossing will look like. This rendering, prepared by RATIO for Public Works & Government Services Canada, shows the upgrades including two new lanes for commercial truck traffic and a new commercial inspection facility. RATIO is Architect and Coordinating Professional on the new $17.7M Aldergrove Port… Read more »
RATIO is proud to be part of The Lark Group’s team as Architect and Coordinating Professional on the new $17.7M Aldergrove Port of Entry. RATIO principal Mike Mammone said, “this project continues RATIO’s long standing relationship with both Public Works & Government Services Canada and the Canadian Border Services Agency.” The announcement by the federal… Read more »
In 1954, our firm was established as Toby & Russell Architects. After six decades of working with our clients to create outstanding spaces and build their brands, we realized it was time to evolve our own brand. As we step forward into the next 60 years, we’re excited to share a new identity that articulates the firm we are today and will become in the future.
Ratio.
A ratio expresses proportion, balance and relationship. Our new name is grounded in the importance of relations and relationships in our work. Between a building and its environment. Between citizens and structures. Between our firm and our clients.
