Wachovia Securities
Wachovia Securities is making a strongstatement in the financial grid of Charlotte. Instead of staying buried on thetop floors of a financial tower, their presence is at street level. Three focus points were established to brandtheir new space – entry, transparency, and technology.
Whileshaping the design within the existing towers building lobby the extent ofgranite walls and change in floor height created challenges. The entry progression required navigating athree foot grade difference and both an interior and exterior entry point. Handling this with a ramp allowed the team tocontrol and direct the entry path to a single Reception Area for bothentries. This also allowed for an equaland accessible entry for all patrons into the space. An LED illuminated sculptured plaster wallalong that ramp created an artist branding opportunity to our entryexperience. Additional excitement wasadded via a twenty-foot tall two-sided ticker tape column as a focal point atthe end of the entry progression.
Developinga clean contemporary space that did not intimidate current or future clientswas a key component. This wasaccomplished with perimeter exterior offices with glass fronts to allow naturallight to penetrate the space, simple detailing and walnut millwork. Interior offices have the same glass frontsand simple detailing but are capped with a walnut ceiling plane that runs thelength of the space and bends to create the separation wall between them andthe receptionist. That plane also helpsgive definition and warmth to the support staff in the open office space. The material palette was kept simple as tocomplement the existing granite and not compete with the technology.
Themain conference room carries the excitement and expression of the interior tothe exterior through an all glass exterior wall on a prominent downtown streetcorner. Lighting, wood detailing andsixty-five inch plasma TV’s show off the energy of the space. But the eighty inch screen embedded in theexterior glass truly transfers the energy outward. From outside passers by can view local newsand financial updates through a holographic screen that still keeps theconference room visible. This personaltouch allows the investment office to reach out to everyone in the communityand potentially create new clients. Cutting edge technology like this helps showcase the offices commitmentto new ways of thinking and doing business.
Thisnew venue needed to reflect the energy of the brand and make its mark onCharlotte. Now, they are not only thefirst Securities office to have a visible face on the street but they are thefirst, of anyone, to have an exterior ticker tape. New York’s bright lights and financialinfluence now marks the corner of MLK Boulevard and College Street; making thisaddress undoubtedly known. Technologicalelements both inside and out are used for visual stimulation that reflects thehidden transfer of money within this space and the financial community.
The new space has won over the current staffat Wachovia Securities and is helping to recruit new staff. The media has picked up on the exciting newspace as well -- the Charlotte Business Journal and Charlotte Observer haveboth published a story and News Channel 14 Carolina aired a segment about thepre-grand opening. This unique space istruly shining a positive spotlight on both Wachovia and the city of Charlotte.
Whileshaping the design within the existing towers building lobby the extent ofgranite walls and change in floor height created challenges. The entry progression required navigating athree foot grade difference and both an interior and exterior entry point. Handling this with a ramp allowed the team tocontrol and direct the entry path to a single Reception Area for bothentries. This also allowed for an equaland accessible entry for all patrons into the space. An LED illuminated sculptured plaster wallalong that ramp created an artist branding opportunity to our entryexperience. Additional excitement wasadded via a twenty-foot tall two-sided ticker tape column as a focal point atthe end of the entry progression.
Developinga clean contemporary space that did not intimidate current or future clientswas a key component. This wasaccomplished with perimeter exterior offices with glass fronts to allow naturallight to penetrate the space, simple detailing and walnut millwork. Interior offices have the same glass frontsand simple detailing but are capped with a walnut ceiling plane that runs thelength of the space and bends to create the separation wall between them andthe receptionist. That plane also helpsgive definition and warmth to the support staff in the open office space. The material palette was kept simple as tocomplement the existing granite and not compete with the technology.
Themain conference room carries the excitement and expression of the interior tothe exterior through an all glass exterior wall on a prominent downtown streetcorner. Lighting, wood detailing andsixty-five inch plasma TV’s show off the energy of the space. But the eighty inch screen embedded in theexterior glass truly transfers the energy outward. From outside passers by can view local newsand financial updates through a holographic screen that still keeps theconference room visible. This personaltouch allows the investment office to reach out to everyone in the communityand potentially create new clients. Cutting edge technology like this helps showcase the offices commitmentto new ways of thinking and doing business.
Thisnew venue needed to reflect the energy of the brand and make its mark onCharlotte. Now, they are not only thefirst Securities office to have a visible face on the street but they are thefirst, of anyone, to have an exterior ticker tape. New York’s bright lights and financialinfluence now marks the corner of MLK Boulevard and College Street; making thisaddress undoubtedly known. Technologicalelements both inside and out are used for visual stimulation that reflects thehidden transfer of money within this space and the financial community.
The new space has won over the current staffat Wachovia Securities and is helping to recruit new staff. The media has picked up on the exciting newspace as well -- the Charlotte Business Journal and Charlotte Observer haveboth published a story and News Channel 14 Carolina aired a segment about thepre-grand opening. This unique space istruly shining a positive spotlight on both Wachovia and the city of Charlotte.
Concept Sketches
End of construction punch-list photos
