Stockman Bank’s South Brooks Branch in Missoula Earns USGBC LEED Gold
Celebrating another sustainability success story for the Montana-based, family-owned, community bank.
Multidisciplinary design firm, Cushing Terrell, is celebrating a new sustainability milestone with long-time client Stockman Bank of Montana. The bank’s South Brooks branch in Missoula has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, showcasing their commitment to creating healthy, sustainable environments.
Stockman Bank is known for setting a high standard for all its buildings with an emphasis on high performance and longevity. That standard starts with energy efficiency measures such as full exterior insulation, thorough air sealing, and careful selection of mechanical systems, and continues with features such as low-flow plumbing fixtures to minimize water use and drip irrigation to extend this practice to the site. Materials and finishes are selected for durability and their positive impact on indoor air quality.
Designing our branches to be environmentally friendly is one more way we can help make Montana the best place to call home.
Bob Burns
President, Stockman Bank Missoula
Stockman Bank’s South Brooks branch, designed by Cushing Terrell, achieved LEED Gold certification for implementing practical, measurable strategies and solutions aimed at achieving high performance in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, low carbon emissions, health, and indoor environmental quality. Beyond Stockman Bank’s base standard, strategies unique to Missoula helped get the South Brooks branch to LEED Gold status.
With access to an underground aquifer, the building utilizes an extremely efficient ground-source mechanical system for heating and cooling the building, resulting in significant energy and cost savings. The building design also incorporated photovoltaic panels on the roof to utilize solar energy — something Stockman Bank is planning to incorporate as part of its standard building practice. Additionally, public transit and bike infrastructure provide alternate transportation opportunities for employees and patrons.
“We’re incredibly proud to work with a client who believes in making smart, forward-looking decisions with regard to new construction, ultimately contributing to a more responsible built environment,” said Ashleigh Powell, Director of Sustainability for Cushing Terrell.
This is the second Stockman Bank branch in Missoula to receive LEED certification. In 2019, Stockman was awarded the state’s first LEED v4 Platinum certification for its downtown Missoula branch. Sustainability measures included 69% potable water reduction by harvesting rainwater for toilets and stormwater for irrigation, an open-loop ground-source heat-pump system, chilled beams, and a 48.75 kW photovoltaic array. To encourage environmentally friendly commuting, the design also included covered bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging stations.
Learn more about Cushing Terrell’s sustainability services.
About Cushing Terrell
Cushing Terrell was founded in 1938 on the belief that integrating architecture, engineering, and design opens the doors for deepened relationships and enhanced creativity. This foundation continues to define the firm and its multidisciplinary team today. Driven by empathy, the team works to design systems and spaces that help people live their best lives and enjoy healthy, sustainable built environments. With more than 450 team members spanning 30-plus disciplines and expertise across the commercial, education, government, healthcare, infrastructure, residential, and retail markets, the firm has offices in Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Texas, and Washington. For more information about Cushing Terrell, visit cushingterrell.com.
