Coastal Federal Credit Union Headquarters – Raleigh
RATIO Design’s transformation of the Coastal Federal Credit Union Headquarters in Raleigh, NC, revitalizes a late-90s structure into a modern, employee-centered hub that fosters collaboration and connection, symbolized by its iconic spiral stair and warm design elements.
Coastal Credit Union’s revitalized late-90s six-story headquarters in North Raleigh was driven by reconnecting its people, strengthening its culture, and modernizing its external identity within a rapidly transforming commercial district. The result is an employee-centered hub that balances a seamless approach to collaborative hybrid teamwork with high-tech warmth.
A dark iron spot brick and all-new smart glazing both project confidence and modernity within the fast-growing North Raleigh district while signaling their commitment to reducing cooling loads in the southern climate.
At night, the new spiral monumental stair glows behind the curtain wall façade, its form subtly echoing Coastal’s lighthouse logo. Glimpses into the building’s new activity hubs, set against a warm wood backdrop of the building’s core, reinforce Coastal’s approachable identity and signal openness to both staff and the community.
A dramatic, newly found two-story social and activity hub serves as the new heart of the building, linking services and amenities to a new training and conference center, centered on an iconic spiral stair, improving visibility and creating moments of in-person connection throughout the day.
Inside, the transformation is driven by culture, comfort, and connection. Opening their formerly enclosed, disconnected layout to an intuitive, approachable environment that supports Coastal’s more casual, collaborative post-pandemic workstyle. Outside, a new two-story trellised terrace addition offers employees immediate access to outdoor work points and links employees via a pedestrian bridge to off-site amenities.
Coastal’s revitalized headquarters stands as a symbol of connection, innovation, and community, an investment not just in a building, but in the people who define the organization’s future.
Design: RATIO Design
Construction: Barnhill Contracting Company
Furniture Dealer: Storr Office Environments
Photography: Keith Issacs
Now editing content for LinkedIn.