United Federal Credit Union was looking for an opportunity to bring all their operations together under one roof. When the existing former Whirlpool building in St. Joseph, Michigan, became available, UFCU hired The Redmond Company to evaluate the potential this building could be an optimal location for their new operational headquarters.  Redmond performed programming with UFCU staff to assess their current and future space needs and reviewed departmental layouts and locations to provide a floor plan that brings staff from five different UFCU locations to this new space.

The design of the 80,000 sf building highlights the entrance with a new prominent entry canopy branded to tie back to the design of UFCU’s other Redmond designed facilities. The site was updated to bring parking closer to the main entrance as well as provide a drive-up ATM for members and employees. The goal of this project for UFCU was to bring all employees together into a reimagined, collaborative environment.  The new building design brings together 375 of UFCU’s employees in an open office design with 42 private offices and 333 workstations, all with height adjustability to promote comfort and employee health. Multiple small meeting spaces, twelve conference rooms, flexible training rooms, and an executive board room offer integrated technology for employees to conduct meetings both virtually and face-to-face. Open collaborative spaces and inviting coffee bars are also strategically integrated into the layout to create opportunities for impromptu meetings and collaboration across departments. One large centralized work café space was included to encourage communication and interaction between all employees with an emphasis on providing healthy meal choices for employees.  A large workout facility was also included to help promote UFCU’s initiative for a healthy lifestyle. Employees are also provided with a great outdoor space within the fully re-designed interior courtyard conveniently located off the large work café in the center of the building.  Glass overhead doors seamlessly connect the courtyard to the interior café space and provide employees with a great space to relax and retreat.

This new headquarters facility helps UFCU accommodate its growth needs and creates operational efficiency and an employee experience that helps UFCU retain and attract the highest quality employees.

The Redmond Company is honored to have been selected for more than 20 projects for UFCU. We look forward to continuing our relationship on many additional projects in the coming years.