Washington State Employees Credit Union in Chehalis, WA is Leading with Mass Timber
Author and Photography by Talking Forests
Step inside, you might just forget you're in a bank.
Forget the heavy, monolithic, and intimidating structures of the past. Imagine a space that feels warm, inviting, and bathed in natural light. It's the reality of the new Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU) branch in Chehalis, Washington. Completed in September 2022, with local convenience just off the freeway; it's a groundbreaking beacon for sustainable construction, showcasing the incredible potential of mass timber at its heart.
By using engineered wood products like Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), this offers a powerful alternative that combines strength, beauty, and sustainability. Mass timber isn't just an eco-friendly choice, but a design choice that profoundly enhances the human experience within a space. Less anxiety and more business to get done inside.
A New Home for Banking With Mass Timber
Conveniently located at 1725 NW Louisiana Ave., just off Interstate 5 and across from the Chehalis The Home Depot, the WSECU Chehalis branch was designed to offer enhanced convenience and a host of new features for its members. But beyond its practical advantages, such as four teller pods for streamlined service, two drive-thru lanes, a drive-up night depository, walk-up and drive-up ATMs, and even new safe deposit boxes, this building is making waves in the construction industry.
Noted as 4,542 square feet, designed as a single-story commercial space to elevate the member experience. WSECU's commitment to the Chehalis community, where it has served Lewis County for 38 years, is deeply ingrained in this new structure, reflecting their dedication to supporting local members and non-profit organizations. The branch operates with extended hours from Monday to Saturday, providing flexibility for its members.
Why Mass Timber? A Fusion of Sustainability and Style
The decision to utilize mass timber construction for the WSECU Chehalis branch was a deliberate and visionary one. The primary drivers were its inherent sustainable qualities and the warm, inviting aesthetic it naturally brings to a space. This aligns perfectly with WSECU's commitment to both the environment and the community.
The architectural vision for the branch embraced a Pacific Northwest design style, characterized by extensive use of wood and heavy timber, large overhangs, and an open floorplan. This approach stands in stark contrast to the typically heavy and monolithic aesthetic traditionally associated with financial buildings. Instead, the WSECU Chehalis branch exudes a light and airy feel, largely due to the strategic use of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) roof panels. The design team worked in close collaboration with structural engineers to maximize the capabilities of these CLT panels, optimizing their spans and overhangs to achieve this desired lightness.
The building's design consciously promotes a sense of transparency, seamlessly connecting the activities within to the users and community members outside. Large windows play a crucial role here, flooding the interior with an abundance of natural light. Amos Callender, Principal at Thomas Architecture Studios, the project's architect, highlighted how adjusting the structural column placement inboard of the exterior walls not only helped meet Washington State energy codes but also enhanced energy efficiency and served to highlight the simplistic structure supporting the CLT.
The exposed timber ceiling creates warmth and a visual connection from the inside out, blending seamlessly with the natural environment, further complemented by dramatically dropped light fixtures, all contributing to a truly stunning building. The use of CLT also extends to a dynamic portico at the entrance and adds distinction at the drive-through canopy.
The Power of Collaboration
Bringing such an innovative project to life required a dedicated and skilled team. WSECU, as the owner, partnered with Thomas Architecture Studios of Olympia for the architectural design and JH Kelly, LLC of Longview as the general contractor. PCS Structural Solutions also provided the structural design. Mercer Mass Timber, formerly known Struclurlam, served as the mass timber supplier.
JH Kelly's involvement in this project was unique, as they typically focus on industrial or pre-engineered metal building erection projects. However, an existing relationship led them to act as a self-performing general contractor, undertaking a significant portion of the work themselves. This self-performed scope included site/civil work, concrete, building erection (including wood framing and CLT panel placement), and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations. Subcontractors were brought in for interior finishes, asphalt paving, and a few other minor scopes. This collaborative and hands-on approach ensured the seamless execution of the mass timber vision.
A Blueprint for the Future
The WSECU Chehalis branch is more than just a place to manage finances; it's a testament to what's possible when design innovation meets environmental consciousness. It's a living, breathing example of how mass timber construction can deliver buildings that are not only sustainable but also beautiful, functional, and deeply connected to their communities.
In an era where the urgency of climate change demands greener building practices, the WSECU Chehalis branch offers a compelling answer. Its sustainable qualities, from carbon sequestration within the timber itself to enhanced energy efficiency through clever structural adjustments position it as a model for future commercial developments. The inherent warmth and inviting aesthetic of wood create spaces that people genuinely want to be in, fostering a more pleasant and human-centric experience.
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This aligns with a growing desire for biophilic design, which seeks to connect occupants with nature.
WSECU Chehalis branch provides a special mass timber blueprint:
Prioritize Sustainability: Choosing mass timber for its environmental benefits is a tangible way to reduce the carbon footprint of new construction.
Embrace Aesthetic Appeal: Mass timber offers a unique visual warmth and natural beauty that can transform traditionally utilitarian spaces into inviting environments.
Foster Transparency and Connection: Design elements like large windows and open floorplans, enabled by mass timber's structural capabilities, can create buildings that feel more integrated with their surroundings and the community.
Collaborate Innovatively: The project team demonstrated how strong partnerships and unique contracting approaches can overcome conventional barriers to deliver pioneering designs.
The Story of WSECU Chehalis
It is not just about a bank, it builds community. It invites us to consider: if a financial institution can break free from traditional heavy aesthetics and embrace the beauty and benefits of mass timber, what other sectors can follow suit?
The future of construction is wooden, and the WSECU Chehalis branch is helping to pave the way, one stunning timber panel at a time. It’s an architectural statement for Chehalis, WA and a reminder that our buildings can truly reflect our values, both environmental and communal.
