Ent Credit Union HQ

Overview

Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ent Credit Union Headquarters is a state-of-the-art, five-story facility that was designed by Davis Partnership Architects to consolidate Ent’s operations, which were previously spread across multiple locations. The new building sits on Ent’s master-planned campus that will be spread out across 27-acres and 5 buildings. Ent Credit Union is Colorado’s largest credit union and the new campus will house more than one million square feet of Class A office space. This first facility includes an expansive 28-foot tall, two-level cafeteria with stunning panoramic views of Pike’s Peak where Ent’s 800+ employees can share a meal and enjoy Colorado’s natural splendor.

As the first facility on campus, the design had to accommodate an amenitized entry with reception, cafes and a cafeteria, a fitness center, conference rooms and office space for more than 1,100 employees. The new facility aims to foster increased collaboration among departments, enhancing service delivery to its members. The design also included significant site infrastructure improvements and amenities for member-owners, employees and their families, reinforcing Ent’s commitment to serving the Colorado Springs community. Ent Credit Union was founded in 1957 after Major General Uzal Ent, a distinguished US Air Force Officer and Medal of Honor recipient, with the primary intent to serve the Air Force population of Colorado Springs.

One of the most impressive features of the new facility are the sweeping, panoramic views of the Front Range and incredible surrounding landscape. Colorado Springs, a vibrant city located at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains, sits near the base of Pikes Peak, a 14,115-foot summit that inspired the song “America the Beautiful”.

Sentech Architectural Systems designed, engineered and supplied all material for the soaring 2-story, 28-foot high structural glass facades that wrap the dining and lobby areas. In total, Sentech supplied 4 VetraFin-G structural glass walls and 2 structural glass vestibules at the South and West locations that total close to 8,000 square feet of structural glass applications. The system design features simple lines, minimal connections, and a unique look that was achieved without any exterior hardware, bolts or plates. This proprietary system can be used to design insulated glass façades with any type of soft coat low-e- a feature that enables the design of walls with the highest performance values available in the marketplace.

“Blurring of the division between interior and exterior is best showcased along the promenade where exterior grade falls and gives way to a world class corporate dining facility inside with protected views of Pikes Peak that are second-to-none. Here you can witness the interplay of form and material along the building’s envelope.”

– Jill Taylor, Acquilano

Soaring, open and welcoming, this VetraFin facade and vestibule system brings to life the desire for connection, amenitization and a sense of openness that characterizes next-generation workplaces.

Credits

Architect: Davis Partnership Architects
Contractor: GE Johnson
Glazing Contractor: Metropolitan Glass
Photography: Frank Ooms