NAE Federal Credit Union - Renovation

Chesapeake, VA

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Project Overview

Revitalizing a legacy branch through concept-driven design

NAE Federal Credit Union partnered with The Element Group to remodel its Indian River branch, transforming a long-standing location into a more modern, inviting, and strategically positioned member environment. Founded to serve Ford employees at the Norfolk Assembly Plant, NAE Federal Credit Union carries a distinct legacy of service and community connection. What began as an early design concept exercise became the foundation for a full branch revitalization, giving NAE a clear path forward for how its space could better serve members, support staff, and reflect the credit union’s next chapter.

Working within an approximately 4,200-square-foot footprint, Element identified opportunities to improve the choreography and brand expression within the existing branch. The result was a dramatic transformation that balanced modernization with familiarity, creating a refreshed experience that feels more open, more intentional, and better aligned with the needs of both current and future members.

CLIENT

  • NAE Federal Credit Union

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TYPE

  • Credit Union

FEATURES

  • 4,200 sq. ft. branch
  • 8 Screen digital signage wall
  • 4 Screen display wall behind tellers
  • Touchscreen technology
  • Environmental wall graphics

DELIVERABLES

  • Schematic design and space planning
  • Exterior enhancements and implementation
  • Millwork design and implementation
  • Graphic design and implementation
  • Interior furnishings

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Client Goals

Refresh the Member Experience

NAE came to the project ready to update a branch that no longer reflected the experience it wanted to deliver. The credit union wanted a space that felt more current, more welcoming, and more representative of its direction. The goal was not just to renovate the branch, but to create a stronger first impression and a more engaging experience from the moment members walked through the door.

Balance Progress with Familiarity

At the same time, NAE wanted the branch to remain approachable for its existing membership. The design needed to balance a fresh, updated feel with the sense of comfort and continuity members already associated with the credit union. That meant carrying forward traditional elements while introducing new features, finishes, and technologies in a way that felt thoughtful and authentic.

Improve Efficiency Within the Existing Footprint

NAE also saw the project as an opportunity to make better use of the space it already had. The branch layout needed to function more efficiently for both members and staff, with improved flow, better visibility, and more effective use of square footage. Rather than expanding the building, the goal was to rethink how the existing branch could work harder and support both member-facing and operational needs more strategically.

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Build for What’s Next

Beyond the immediate renovation, NAE wanted a branch that could better support long-term growth. That included strengthening brand expression, integrating digital signage, and preparing the space for future service models and technology enhancements. The project created an opportunity to move from a legacy environment to one that feels more flexible, more relevant, and better equipped for what comes next.

Challenges

Aligning a Shared Vision

As with many projects involving an established institution, this effort required thoughtful coordination across multiple stakeholders with a strong investment in the future of the branch. That made early alignment especially important. Element’s concept-driven design critique process helped create a shared direction from the start, giving the team and client a clear visual framework for decision-making and helping the project move forward with confidence.

 

Modernizing a Legacy Space with Care

The Indian River branch presented an opportunity to transform the existing environment while preserving the familiarity that mattered to NAE’s membership. Rather than pursuing change for its own sake, the design team focused on finding the right balance between modernization and continuity. That approach allowed the branch to evolve in a way that felt both fresh and trusted, blending updated finishes, technology, and layout improvements with elements that maintained a sense of comfort and connection.

Reworking the Branch Within an Existing Footprint

Because the project centered on revitalizing an existing building, every square foot had to work harder. The challenge was not simply to refresh the space, but to rethink how the branch could operate more effectively without expanding the structure.

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Element approached that constraint as an opportunity, improving flow, increasing functionality, adding offices, and repurposing underutilized square footage to support additional operational needs, including a centralized call center function.

Maintaining Operations During Transformation

Because the branch needed to remain open during renovation, the project required a phased approach that balanced construction progress with day-to-day member service. That added complexity to scheduling, coordination, and installation, but it also underscored the importance of careful planning and communication throughout the process. By working within those operational realities, the team was able to support continued service while advancing a significant transformation behind the scenes.

Designing for Current Needs and Future Flexibility

Like many renovations of older facilities, the project required the team to work through existing building conditions while also planning for what comes next. Element used those realities to inform a more resilient design strategy, identifying opportunities to support future technology integration and more flexible service delivery over time. The result was a branch designed not only to look different, but to perform more strategically moving forward.

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Solutions

Shaping the Vision Early

Element’s concept-driven process helped set the direction for the entire project. Early design exploration gave NAE a tangible view of what was possible within the Indian River branch, translating high-level goals into a compelling design strategy. That up-front work aligned the project around a shared vision for modernization, efficiency, and member engagement while giving the client confidence in the transformation ahead.

Reworking the Lobby Experience

One of the most impactful moves was the reconfiguration of the lobby. Element reoriented the layout to improve visibility and flow, creating a more intuitive arrival experience and making service points feel easier to access. By opening the member-facing area and making the branch easier to navigate, the design created a more welcoming environment while also supporting smoother day-to-day operations.

Strengthening Brand Presence in the Space

The revitalized branch introduced stronger branded and digital moments that gave the environment a more defined identity. A prominent media wall brought energy and visual interest into the space, while integrated graphics reinforced NAE’s presence throughout the branch. Element also incorporated a history wall that connected the refreshed environment to the credit union’s roots serving Ford employees.

Making the Existing Footprint Work Harder

Rather than approaching the project as a simple cosmetic update, Element used the renovation to improve how the building performed. Oversized offices were reconfigured into a more efficient layout, and the team identified ways to create additional functionality within the same footprint. Underutilized space was also repurposed to support back-of-house operations, including the creation of a new 10-12 seat call center, helping the branch serve more than one role without expanding the building.

Blending Modernization with Continuity

Throughout the design, Element carefully balanced innovation with continuity. Modern features, digital tools, and a more open layout were paired with traditional details that helped the space feel familiar and trusted. Beyond the immediate renovation, the design positioned the branch for future technology adoption by allowing for potential ITM integration in the drive-through and video services in the new call center, ultimately supporting more flexible service delivery over time. This approach allowed NAE to evolve the branch experience in a way that felt forward-looking without losing the character and comfort that mattered to its membership.

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Results

The finished Indian River branch represents a dramatic branch transformation. By rethinking the space from both a design and operational perspective, Element helped NAE find a brighter, more open, and more engaging environment. The updated branch delivers a stronger member experience, improved functionality, and a more confident expression of the credit union’s brand.

Just as importantly, the project demonstrates the value of starting with vision. The early concept process gave NAE a practical and inspiring framework for what the branch could become, helping the team move beyond incremental updates and toward a more meaningful revitalization. The result is a branch that feels more efficient, more welcoming, and better prepared to support NAE’s members and mission into the future.