Located in the little village neighborhood at the corner of Pulaski rd. and 26th street, second federal savings and loan is a historic bank building constructed in the early 1930s. Our task for the rehabilitation of this historic branch was to reimagine the existing space and update the building systems. Programmatic requirements included new private offices, a dedicated loan service area, a reduced teller line, and a new community room with the capacity for 50 people. The room would be used for financial/education seminars as well as community engagement gatherings with the ability to function independent of the branch operations.

The first level was stripped down to the structure, aside from a domed plaster ceiling cloud, which was a key feature we were immediately drawn to and determined to save. Further, the interior architecture is anchored by 2 poured-in place curved concrete desks, subtley reflecting the sculptural shapes within the restored plaster ceiling and defining the loan and teller areas. Through the incorporation of the concrete forms, the design strives to bring together the old with the new into a cohesive vision that intends to appear as though they were conceived at the same time. The use of concrete symbolizes stability and permanance, while custom wood millwork adds warmth and glass partitions foster openness and transparency. Additional improvements include: new efficient lighting, new mechanical systems provide with greater controllability throughout the space, masony repairs, new roofs and storefront. Since the bank had to remain in operation during construction, construction had to be planned as 2 phases.