Merchants and Farmers Bank

The client set out to make a statement with its first financial facility in the Lake Charles Market tailored to business clientele. The single-story, pre-cast concrete-clad structure will provide both an image of strength and an abundance of light and airiness. With the Owner wishing for a building that would glow at night and reveal openness during the day, we used the idiom of classical derivative design with ultra-modern components and cutting-edge detailing to fulfill the client’s goals and needs to service the Lake Charles growing business community. 

A primary goal was to offer meeting space to the community which is showcased as a prominent feature of the building. While the facility will offer traditional services such as personal lobby transactions, drive-in services, and vaulted safety depository, the latest banking technologies include enhanced video remote transaction units, remote business transaction units, and multimedia and conferencing technology.

The building structure is simple and elegant, with frameless interior glazing allowing both an enhanced visual-spatial flow while allowing privacy for confidential transactions. The exterior is glazed with energy-efficient curtain wall and translucent panel systems which allows the interior space to visually expand to the exterior landscape. State-of-the-art HVAC management systems and electrical lighting and equipment are integral to providing a facility that is surprisingly economical in initial cost and future life cycle cost.