CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.—M&T Bank broke ground on a 4,600-square-foot bank branch on Norland Avenue in Chambersburg, Pa., which will feature cutting-edge architecture, advanced energy-efficient environmental systems, and high-tech customer service stations.

M&T Bank’s Norland Avenue branch will be constructed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards (LEED) established by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is a rating system distinguishing high-performance buildings that have reduced environmental impact.

The design promotes natural light to minimize the need for interior electrical lighting. Also, interior lighting will be controlled by sunlight, so lights will brighten and dim in response to available sunlight.

The plumbing system is designed to conserve water and will reduce use by 30 percent compared with federal water efficiency standards. Additionally, heating and cooling will be accomplished by a geothermal heat pump system that takes advantage of the constant temperature of the earth to reduce energy usage.

The branch will feature interactive touch screen stations for customers, and parking spaces for hybrid and electric cars.

The Norland Avenue branch is the first bank branch to be built in Franklin County according to LEED standards, and one of the first of its kind for M&T Bank. The bank is currently completing construction on its first signature branch in West Seneca, N.Y. featuring the new design. The branches will serve as models for future branch construction and renovation.

Construction for the Norland Avenue branch will begin within the next few weeks and is expected to be completed in late summer or early fall.

The project was designed by Lorenzo Apicella of the international architectural design firm Pentagram. Apicella is an architect and principal of Pentagram Design, working from their London and San Francisco offices. He is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the branch’s future location in Chambersburg at 4 p.m. Attending were M&T Bank representatives, state and local government officials, and local business leaders.