Designed for Growing Relationships: AgCountry Farm Credit Services

The Element Group is an interior design firm that works with banks and credit unions nationwide to deliver future-facing retail branch environments. With decades of experience designing these environments, their team understands that today's branches must do more than facilitate transactions. Unlike retail banks, AgCountry's business centers on lending, insurance, and advisory conversations that often require greater trust and meaningful face-to-face interaction.

"Understanding the client's culture is always where we begin," says Alexa Waterman, Director of Design Build at The Element Group. "We wanted the space to feel approachable and connected to AgCountry's agricultural roots. And with any commercial building, especially in the middle of North Dakota, we have to think about durability."

Instead of creating a conventional branch, Element set out to develop a welcoming environment that feels more residential than institutional. Visitors can gather in an inviting lobby with comfortable seating, natural textures, and hospitality amenities. Private meeting areas support confidential conversations, while a dedicated community room extends the building's purpose beyond banking as a gathering place for local organizations and events.

The result reflects a broader shift that Element continues to see throughout the financial services industry.

Achieving this warmth required selecting materials that could perform across a wide variety of applications and still maintain a unified aesthetic. Element turned to Wilsonart's extensive portfolio to build a layered palette that combines rich woodgrains with clean, simple solid tones throughout the building.

Realistic woodgrains from Wilsonart HPL are featured throughout. At the heart of the project is Valley Forge Elm, a rich mid-tone woodgrain with straight grain patterns and refined cathedral movement.

The design anchors many of the branch's horizontal and vertical surfaces, wrapping the reception desk, fireplace feature, copy and mail center, and quiet room millwork.

Bryn Baldasaro, Video & Content Specialist at Element, says, “The fireplace millwork has received some of the most positive feedback from the client. We've already started incorporating it into new project proposals.”

Additional Wilsonart HPL selections — including Pepperdust with a matte finish and Grey Elm — introduce complementary layers throughout the kitchenette, break room, conference tables, and supporting millwork. Grey Elm is showcased across large conference room tabletops, creating a contemporary focal point that embraces the branch’s natural material palette. Each material selection reinforces a cohesive story that carries visitors naturally from one space to the next.

Wilsonart Solid Surface expands the design story with Calming Waves. This semi-translucent background with flowing white movement introduces brightness and refinement to counters, window sills, and employee workspaces. It’s one of the most innovative material choices on the market today. Solid Surface delivers a stain-resistant, repairable, seamless finish, minimizes downtime, reducing long-term replacement costs, and ensuring lasting durability.

The Element Group team knows that every material must satisfy multiple project requirements. Commercial durability. Long-term maintenance. Budget. Fabrication. Flexibility. Brand expression. Those priorities become even more important in a rural community where facilities are expected to perform under unique conditions with minimal maintenance.

Wilsonart enabled the design team to satisfy those requirements through a family of surfaces rather than relying on unrelated products from different manufacturers. The coordinated palette became a scalable design framework that can be adapted for future branches without sacrificing brand identity across locations. Waterman says, “The Wilsonart team has been excellent in terms of reps; they have the information and are supportive.”

For architects and designers working within financial services, materials must go beyond a memorable first impression. They need to stand up to years of daily use and reinforce the professionalism and comfort customers expect. Wilsonart HPL and Solid Surface help accomplish both objectives.

Unlike traditional wood veneer, HPL surfaces ensure long-term durability across heavily used millwork and furniture while offering the warmth and visual authenticity of natural wood. And Solid Surface contributes seamless, cleanable work surfaces in hospitality and employee areas where performance and hygiene are essential. Together, the entire space feels robust and easy to maintain for years to come.