Eastman Credit Union Support Center

Introduction

With 28 locations and over 225,000 members, Eastman Credit Union (ECU) is the largest credit union in TN and one of the largest in the country. Though big in overall size and scope, ECU maintains a focus on the individual—providing each and every member truly exceptional service and value. To ensure that employees are trained and equipped to offer the personalized attention that’s the ECU standard, the organization recently opened a new Support Center in Kingsport, Tennessee. This state-of-the-art facility is a hub for staff members, thoughtfully designed to exemplify ECU’s commitment to creating quality experiences at every level within the organization.

CainRashWest Architects was chosen to lead the business center’s design. The firm was tasked with envisioning a new, free-standing, four-story facility that would include several conference rooms, training areas, and offices. The project leaders sought to embrace an upscale, timeless elegance featuring a foundational, neutral tone throughout the almost 60,000 square feet of space.

The  Story

To achieve the desired aesthetic, the CainRashWest team chose Crossville Porcelain Tile Panels by Laminam in I Naturali for the walls in the Travertino Avorio hue. This surfacing solution offers a soothing color that coordinates beautifully with other materials, including the Crossville floor tile. Used to skin the walls in the main hallways and throughout the restrooms, the sophisticated porcelain tile panels provide durability in a very lean profile that is ideal for the wall applications. Also, the panels’ light, warm tone offers a contrast to the office’s wood panel walls in the lobby area. Long-term, the tile panels will be easily maintained while retaining their elegant appearance—a key point for those managing the upkeep of the busy facility and seeking lasting materials that will stay stylish for years to come.

To ensure the best installation process possible, Crossville’s technical services team was on hand to assist CainRashWest in providing installation training for the porcelain tile panels on the walls. At just 3mm thick, these panels require unique handling. Correct installation of the porcelain panels is crucial, and the architect team, installers, and owners were extremely pleased with the end result.

For the floors in the lobby and restrooms, the team specified a complementary Crossville collection with the right look and performance characteristics. Throughout the lobby, the team chose to install a darker neutral tone tile in the middle of the floor and edged the hallway with lighter tones, providing pathway directional support., Crossville’s porcelain tile is easy to maintain with simple and regular cleaning.