Completion Date:     8/14/2015

Square Footage:      2200

Building Use:           Branch Bank

Location:                 Irvine, CA

Project Description:

One of the fastest growing banks in the Western United States, Opus Bank is a client focused company that thrives on the premise of partnering with their clients and helping them achieve their dreams and develop their “masterpiece”. The word Opus means “a life’s work” and the company is built and designed to honor the life’s work of their clients. Opus strives to accelerate the vision of business leaders and entrepreneurs who have proven their success and need a partner for growth. Clients can look to Opus Bank for a multitude of services including: commercial banking, business banking, commercial real estate, personal and merchant banking. The concept for Opus Bank’s new retail branch is focused on technology. Technology drives our culture, lifestyles and senses; connecting people and space.

Packed in to 2,200 square feet, Opus’ retail branch and operations office required an extreme amount of detail and coordination to ensure a successful process and end result. Client, contractors, consultants and the architectural team were all closely involved and worked together on a daily basis throughout the project to see it through to a successful completion. Despite the small footprint of the space, the band of technology acts as the spine and anchor, to which the aluminum panel ceiling folds into. Bright and bold, this band is clearly visible from the outside, creating a buzz for the space and attracting people to this rapidly growing bank. The integration of technology, lighting and architecture is meticulously crafted and detailed. The client encouraged the project team to rethink the Opus brand and take a non-traditional approach to their typical banking style, in effort to create an innovative banking experience for their clients. The design concept is concentrated around the ever-changing world of technology and how the world of banking relates to this continual evolution.

The first design experience of this space happens at the exterior plaza level. The architectural lighting creates a glow in this focal point and piques the interest of those seeking a modern banking experience. Upon entry to the building lobby, the glow of the lighting gives a crisp vision of the architecture, technology, and Opus brand. The space is in constant motion, engaging customers and building tenants. This Opus Bank retail space is located at the lobby level, with its headquarters at the top 2 floors of the building. The bold statement at the lobby level gives a strong impression of presence and position in the building and the community.

C.O.T.E. | Committee on the Environment

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