Lowell Five Bank
Location
Salem, NH
Size
2,880 SF
The Lowell Five Lending Office project reimagines a former medical spa and salon at 130 Main Street, Suite 200 in Salem, New Hampshire, into a contemporary, secure, and welcoming financial environment. Encompassing approximately 2,880 square feet, the existing tenant space presented a highly compartmentalized layout shaped by its prior use, requiring a thoughtful and strategic interior fit-up to support the operational needs and brand standards of a modern lending office.
The original space was organized into numerous small treatment rooms, many of which included plumbing features such as sinks and floor drains, along with a single-user restroom and a compact break area with a kitchenette. While these elements were appropriate for a spa environment, they limited openness, visibility, and flexibility—key qualities for a client-facing financial office. RWH Architect approached the project by first gaining a comprehensive understanding of existing conditions. This included a detailed field investigation to document wall construction, ceiling heights, and above-ceiling conditions, as well as the precise location of all existing plumbing infrastructure.
One of the primary challenges was adapting a space dense with plumbing and partitions into an efficient, open, and secure banking environment without unnecessary demolition. RWH addressed this by coordinating a Lidar scan to produce a highly accurate three-dimensional model of the existing tenant suite. This digital model allowed the design team to clearly identify opportunities to reuse or modify existing systems, reduce construction waste, and make informed decisions early in the design process. Portions of the ceiling were selectively opened to expose the plenum, further supporting coordination of structural, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection systems and confirming that many interior partitions did not extend above the acoustic ceiling. This discovery created valuable flexibility in reconfiguring the layout.
The design focuses on establishing clear circulation patterns, intuitive customer service areas, private lending offices, and efficient back-of-house support spaces, all while reinforcing a sense of trust, professionalism, and accessibility. Security and privacy requirements unique to a financial institution were carefully integrated into the plan without compromising the welcoming character of the space. RWH Architect also coordinated closely with the client and consulting team to evaluate life safety requirements and determine any necessary upgrades to fire protection systems based on code analysis and the final configuration.
Through careful investigation, advanced documentation methods, and strategic planning, RWH Architect transformed a highly specialized former salon into a flexible and future-ready lending office. The project reflects RWH’s ability to unlock the potential of challenging interior spaces, delivering a modern workplace that balances efficiency, security, and client experience within an existing building envelope.
