Originally a gas station built in 1932, the Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Ashland, Nebraska decided to purchase and restore the old Barnes Oil Company building, using it as a remote loan office, and location for an Automated Teller Machine. Berggren Architects were retained to research and restore the building to its original condition, write the National Register Nomination, and then furnish it as a modern bank, with a historic flair.
In the restoration, we were able to incorporate handicapped accessibility, and modern office needs, while keeping the building historic, and making it worthy of its place on the National Register of Historic Places. The building required replacement of the clay tile roof, replacement of wood trim details, repair and restoration of original lighting fixtures, and repair of the existing garage door which has been permanently raised above the conference room. Storefront elements were incorporated in a pattern sympathetic with the original garage door to fill the door frame in a thermally efficient manner.
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- Farmers and Merchants Bank
A new receptionist counter was installed for the loan office.
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- Farmers and Merchants Bank
The rear addition housed an ADA accessible restroom as well as a workroom.
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- Farmers and Merchants Bank
The rear addition provided additional work space for employees.
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- Farmers and Merchants Bank
The Conference Room contained the restored garage door in the up position with a new window in the garage door opening.
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- Farmers and Merchants Bank
One of the spatial requirements was to include a Lobby adjacent to the Receptionist Counter.
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- Farmers and Merchants Bank
By installing a new window in the garage door opening, natural daylight can be utilized in the Conference Room.
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- Farmers and Merchants Bank
The Manager's Desk resides in the old garage bay.
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- Farmers and Merchants Bank
Some of the restoration to the exterior of the bank included the masonry repairs, as well as the repair of existing doors.
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- Farmers and Merchants Bank
As a building on the National Register of Historic Places, the restoration had to take care to respect the original characteristics.
