Washington State Employees Credit Union Opens Modern Mass Timber Chehalis Branch
- Candra Burns
- Feb 13
- 4 min read
The Chehalis branch of the Washington State Employee Credit Union (WSECU) has a new location (its headquarters/’home’ is in Olympia), and it’s making waves in the construction industry. Completed in September 2022, the new branch at 1725 NW Louisiana Ave. is conveniently located off Interstate 5, across from the Chehalis Home Depot. It offers enhanced convenience and a host of new features for members. But what truly sets this building apart is its innovative use of mass timber construction.
Why Mass Timber in Modern Design?
The decision to use mass timber construction was driven by its sustainable qualities and the warm, inviting aesthetic it brings to the space. WSECU wanted their new branch to have a Pacific Northwest design style, using lots of wood and heavy timber, large overhangs, and an open floor plan. The design team worked closely with the structural engineer to maximize the capabilities of the Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) roof panels, creating a light and airy environment that defies the traditionally heavy aesthetic of financial buildings.
Large windows flood the interior with natural light and create a sense of transparency, connecting users and community members to the activities within.
Amos Callender, Principal of Thomas Architecture Studios, said, “To meet Washington State energy codes, we had to adjust the structural column placement to be inboard the exterior walls. This move helped provide greater energy efficiency and highlighted the simplistic structure supporting the CLT.”
This adjustment enhanced energy efficiency and highlighted the structure supporting the CLT. Callender also emphasized the impact of the design on the building's ambiance: "The light and airy feel of the space is by far the best quality, accentuated by large open windows and the mono-pitched CLT ceiling/roof.”
Project Details and Key Features
The new WSECU Chehalis branch is a 4,500-square-foot building designed to enhance the member experience. Key features include:
Four Teller "Pods": These allow simple and complex transactions to be handled in one place, streamlining member service.
Two Drive-Thru Lanes: Enhancing convenience for members on the go.
Drive-Up Night Depository: Providing secure after-hours deposit options.
Walk-Up and Drive-Up ATMs: Ensuring 24/7 access to cash.
Safe Deposit Boxes are a new addition to the Chehalis branches, offering members a secure place to store valuables.
The branch operates from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
A Commitment to the Community
Driven by a dedication to supporting and improving local communities, WSECU began evaluating the needs of Southwest Washington and the possibilities for locating a new branch in Chehalis. According to Stephanie Rhodes, the Chehalis Branch Manager, the move reinforces WSECU's longstanding commitment to the Chehalis community. WSECU has been in Lewis County for 38 years and plans to continue supporting its members and local nonprofit organizations. The location provides convenience and expanded services for WSECU members.
Construction and Design Team
The team behind this included Thomas Architecture Studios of Olympia, who served as the architects, and JH Kelly of Longview, who was the general contractor for the project.
Mathieu Ouellette, VP of JH Kelly's Structures Group, said, “This project was unique in that we typically wouldn't GC something like this (we usually only GC industrial or PEMB erection projects), but we were asked to through an existing relationship.”
Abe Ott, Director of Marketing & Proposals, said, “JH Kelly acted as self-performing GC, performing most of the scope. Self-performed scopes included site/civil, concrete, building erection (including wood framing and CLT panel placement), mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. We utilized subcontractors for interior finishes, asphalt paving, and a few other minor scopes of work.”
Project Team:
Owner: Washington State Employees Credit Union, Olympia, WA
General Contractor: JH Kelly, LLC of Longview, WA
Architect: Thomas Architecture Studios of Olympia, WA
Mass Timber Supplier: Mercer Mass Timber, formally known as Struclurlam
Photography Credits: Candra Burns and Ashton McKenzie
Candra Burns Editor's Note: The Chehalis River is the watershed I grew up in. The Grays Harbor County area boasts a vast estuary, aka Twin Harbors, leading from the Pacific Ocean, and this river flows down into Lewis County, where this branch was built. I am happy to tell this mass timber origin story and bring the mass timber supplier story even though Mercer Mass Timber was formerly known as Strucurlam, the original supplier in 2023. Knowing the source of our timber is an important story to tell, and we are happy to have this information in our community for generations to come.
FAQs
What are the operating hours of the new WSECU Chehalis branch? The branch is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Where is the new WSECU Chehalis branch located? The new location is at 1725 NW Louisiana Ave., Chehalis, WA, just off I-5 and across from Home Depot.
What new features does the branch offer? The branch includes four teller pods, two drive-thru lanes, a drive-up night depository, walk-up and drive-up ATMs, and safe deposit boxes.
Who were the key partners in the building's construction? WSECU is the owner and Thomas Architecture Studios of Olympia and JH Kelly of Longview were the architects and general contractor, respectively.
Why was mass timber chosen for the construction of the building? Mass timber was selected for its sustainable qualities and the warm aesthetic it brings to the space, aligning with WSECU's commitment to the environment and community. The design team used Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) roof panels to create a light and airy environment.
If you want the Mass Timber Group to report on an amazing mass timber project you've worked on, REQUEST IT HERE
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