Workplace case study

Sandia Area Federal Credit Union

Headquarters | Design Build

the goals

Bring the Sandia Area Federal Credit Union team together under one roof with a modern, supportive space that revolutionizes how work is done and that employees can be proud of.

Project Background

Sandia Area Credit Union is the fourth largest in the state, and it is thriving. In the years leading up to this project, the growing team driving Sandia Area’s success was spread across multiple locations. The credit union purchased a 48,000 square foot building with a vision to not just unite their team in one location, but to also deliver a workplace that makes Sandia Area the best place to work in Albuquerque.

The process started with a deeper look at how Sandia Area’s team works together and identifying opportunities to support both their individual work and collaboration while also building a sense of community.

“This is an exciting time because organizations like Sandia Area are actively shaping the future of workplaces,” said Jenny Bengeult, Design Director at Momentum. “We’re using the latest research into credit union workplaces to deliver on Sandia Area’s vision of truly supporting their employees and building a space where Albuquerque’s best and brightest want to come to work.”

Better Together

Sandia Area Federal Credit Union’s new workplace provides a mix of open, private, and community spaces that support the work employees are engaged in while also helping to cultivate a sense of community.

The open spaces allow for casual interactions between team members, yet they aren’t so open that they create chaos or distraction. Take the marketing department, pictured to the right. Clusters of open desks create an atmosphere where the team feels connected, yet the space is separated by stylized planters that create the illusion of a wall while still being open.

There is a training room as well as hotel offices with a variety of sizes and configurations that can support both planned or impromptu meetings, as well as a number of small focus spaces where employees can get away to focus on private tasks, meet one-on-one, or just sit and take a break or brainstorm.

A lounge, kitchen, and break area with bright natural light provide comfortable community spaces where employees can socialize and build relationships with their coworkers and interact with people outside of their department.

“We knew we wanted a new space our employees would be naturally drawn to, that centers them, and would complement how they want to work. A space that is functional and modern.” said Kevin Todd, CEO of Sandia Area. “The art in this space is a great point of connection from our employees to our community.”

Activating Sandia Area’s Brand

Sandia Area Federal Credit Union’s new headquarters doesn’t explicitly tell visitors what their brand is, but rather it immerses them in the feeling of the brand. Natural material and subtle applications of the brand colors create an atmosphere that is uniquely Sandia Area, while yellows add contrast and a cheerful and vibrant pop. The credit union’s logo appears in the frosted glass on doors, but throughout the space are other more subtle callbacks. Mountains appear as line art on the walls of open spaces and in abstract on the class walls of smaller meeting rooms.

Further grounding the workplace in local landscape and culture is an exhibition of local artwork. A work by Jodie Herrera titled “Connect and Blossom” celebrates nature, resilience, and unity. Reyes Padilla captures his sense of synesthesia in an abstract work that captures the sound of cicadas ringing through the piñon trees during summer. Larry Bob Phillips painted a psychedelic western landscape that represents a river flowing through a canyon with trees that represents the flow of life, ancestors, and contemporary society coming together.

“The art in this space is a great point of connection from our employees to our community,” said Kevin.

All of this comes together to form a beautiful space where Sandia Area’s employees feel grounded in the natural beauty and culture of Albuquerque and have a sense of connection and pride with their workplace.

Momentum Moment

The Sandia Area Federal Credit Union team has blast watching the building rise from drawings and dust to a polished vision, brought to life. But the moment of truth came during an open house when employees were introduced to the new space. The result? All hesitation around the upcoming move evaporated and the employees were hyped about the new space.

The staff have been working in the building for a few months now, and the hum of the building feels like they’ve all been here for years.

This is the type of outcome that makes all the hard work worth it.

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