Pair of CTA Projects Win 2018 Awards from Idaho Smart Growth

Development of the neighborhood-appropriate bank was guided by the goal of accessibility and approachability for nearby patrons and residents. Patrons should feel comfortable coming in and out of the bank with ease, especially on foot. Traffic patterns were improved by creating a one-way access point off State Street and reducing the number of access points to the motorway, both of which streamline the flow of traffic and decrease congestion on the street. Improvements to ACHD Right-of-Way included the installation of sidewalk ramps and traffic lane dividers at the cost of Mountain West, a representation of their commitment to accessibility and ease of travel. Finally, by addressing the sidewalk rather than the street, the building positions its ATM and main entrance to be most easily accessible to pedestrians, setting the precedent of walkability over high vehicular traffic.

The parking lot, rather than taking up valuable real estate in front of the bank, is tucked behind the building to contribute to the beautification of the neighborhood and to invite regulars and newcomers to meander inside. Its location — which grants locals the option of stopping by the bank on the way to nearby restaurants, markets, and, of course, their homes — is also a key component to ensuring of a walkable community. It should be noted, too, that Mountain West, its staff, and the design team are proud to tap into the city bus route, and are advocating to expand the radius of Boise Green Bike to encompass State and 16th Street, and install a Green Bike hub outside the bank.

The bank’s development sought fair, innovative, and cost-effective decisions. Primarily, despite conversations to demolish and rebuild the branch or move it to a new location entirely, designers introduced the idea to instead add to the branch’s existing architecture. In one fell swoop, this decision avoided many potential problems including the high cost of demolishing and rebuilding the central vault and the logistical complications of temporarily relocating without compromising secure access to safety deposit boxes.

By foregoing an expensive total re-construction, old and new were efficiently fused to provide depth and dimension to the building’s facade and interior. Though the final construction may initially seem like a complete rebirth, side-by-side comparison reveals the core of the original building remains intact, seamlessly wrapped with the addition. Additionally, the historic neighborhood’s aesthetic and the existing architecture were honored — including the installation of historic streetlights as well as additional greenspace to improve pedestrian safety and overall beauty — and the lot’s beloved trees were preserved and protected. Between the addition and the new sources of daylight, many have stated the building feels three to four times larger despite being barely twice its original size, a feat achieved by resisting the construction of an inappropriately enormous behemoth in the middle of the North End.

These decisions were made amidst multiple meetings with stakeholders, during which the goals of engaging the pedestrian experience, designing appropriately for the neighborhood, and creating a building that the neighborhood would be proud to call its own were established. Additionally, a public hearing was held for community members to share feedback and concerns. Though a similar meeting for a nearby development drew crowds of vocal naysayers, Mountain West’s proposal didn’t elicit a single concern — a hearty stamp of approval from such an engaged neighborhood.

At the branch’s May 18 ribbon cutting, positive buzz from the Mountain West team and their patrons, as well as members of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, was in the air. In general, people were overwhelmed by the improvements to the bank’s aesthetic and function, but, as one attendee noted, “You might think it’s always been here if you didn’t know any better.” Another attendee mentioned he had passed the old building for years without giving it a second look, and now he can’t take his eyes off it. We believe this speaks to the idea that the Mountain West renovation and addition does something special: it simultaneously stands out while fitting in, in the best way possible.