Project Overview

Banco Popular challenged Pieri Architects to reimagine their 6,500 sq ft "De Novo" Prototype Branch as a more compact 3,000 sq ft "ground-up" facility in Villalba. Our team embraced this challenge, developing a streamlined and scalable design that maintains the original prototype's emblematic architecture while optimizing for a smaller footprint. Through careful analysis, we identified that essential spaces like the restrooms, electrical, and telecommunications closets were irreducible in size, forming the core around which the rest of the adaptable branch spaces could be efficiently modified. Even architectural elements like windows and solar shading were precisely scaled to ensure the new design perfectly aligned with the prototype's aesthetic and reinforced BPPR's retail brand and operations.

Sustainable Design Strategies

A core principle of the Villalba "De Novo" branch design was to meet or exceed BPPR's rigorous sustainability and resilience requirements. We achieved this through a comprehensive integration of sustainable design and construction strategies:

Site Low Impact Development

We implemented strategies to significantly reduce stormwater impact, combat the heat-island effect, and minimize light pollution:

• Cool Pavement & Roofing: Concrete pavement and cool roof surfaces increase albedo, effectively reducing the heat island effect.
• Permeable Surfaces & Water Management: Permeable hardscapes, landscaped areas, and swales promote on-site water percolation, reducing stormwater runoff. Rainwater overflow from cisterns and roofs is directed to a series of rain gardens on the south side, promoting filtration and natural drainage into the adjacent creek.
• Native Landscaping: All plant species are native or adaptive to Puerto Rico, enhancing drought resilience and drastically lowering irrigation and maintenance needs.
• Dark-Sky Compliant Lighting: Solar-powered lighting, compliant with Dark-Sky initiatives, significantly reduces light pollution and protects the night sky.

Energy Conservation

Our design prioritized energy efficiency and reduced the branch's environmental footprint:

• Optimized Building Performance: We utilized energy and daylight modeling to optimize branch massing, orientation, and the placement of fenestration and shading devices. This approach effectively reduces external thermal loading and glare while maximizing natural lighting.
• High-Performance Glazing: Windows and door frames feature thermal breaks and laminated Low-E glazing, significantly reducing thermal gain, controlling glare, and providing protection against small missile penetration during storms.
• Solar Shading: Horizontal brise soleil fins provide essential protection to the branch interior from direct sun and glare, particularly in sensitive areas like exterior ATM screens, client quick assist stations, and branch representative offices.
• Efficient Systems & Renewable Energy: Building HVAC and lighting systems are designed for optimal energy efficiency. A 35 kW photovoltaic array further reduces energy consumption, bringing the branch closer to net-zero energy and providing critical battery backup via a UPS system for emergency resilience.

Water Conservation

We engineered the branch to significantly reduce reliance on municipal water and enhance resilience during emergencies:

• Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater from the roofs and HVAC condensate is harvested and filtered into a 600-gallon cistern, supplying water for flush fixtures and custodial use.
• Potable Water Redundancy: A separate 600-gallon potable water cistern provides drinking water for restroom lavatories and the Work Cafe sink. These cisterns are interconnected, ensuring a continuous water supply even if harvested water levels are low.
• Water-Efficient Fixtures: All plumbing fixtures are EPA WaterSense certified, ensuring maximum water efficiency.

Construction Efficiencies

Our design incorporated innovative strategies to optimize construction time, minimize material waste, enhance labor efficiency, and ensure consistent quality:

• Waste Reduction through Repurposing: The new concrete roadway and auto-bank pavement utilize the existing eroded asphalt surface as a sub-base, significantly reducing construction and demolition waste.
• Reusable Formwork: Reusable concrete formwork and liners were specified for all cast-in-place and architectural concrete work, further reducing material waste and accelerating the construction schedule.
• Material Modularity: We integrated material modularity into the design for ceramic and carpet tiles, gypsum board partitions, metal stud lengths, and glazing panels. This careful consideration significantly reduces cut-to-waste and streamlines installation.

Project Data

• Client: Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
• Site Area: 3,500 sq meters
• Project Area: 3,000 sq ft (Branch), with an additional 2,000 sq ft Auto Banking canopy featuring six VAT tube stations
• Project Architect: Yolymar Munoz Cubi

Consultants:

• Civil: DG3A
• Structural: AJG Design
• Mechanical & Plumbing: JLMS Engineering
• Electrical: JRR Engineers