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DESIGNWORKS 2025
Hospitality – Honorable Mention
Truist Financial – Truist Leadership Institute North
Greensboro, NC
CJMW Architecture + Interior Design
The Truist Leadership Institute North Building was designed to be a vital expansion supporting the organization’s growing portfolio of executive leadership and development programs. After the success of the South Building, completed in 2018, the Institute recognized the need to increase capacity and expand its capabilities, leading to the development of the new 86,000-square-foot North Building. Designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, this modern facility more than doubles the Institute’s capacity to provide immersive leadership experiences to Truist employees, external corporate clients, and nonprofit leaders across the country. Additionally, the Institute offers free leadership training to public school principals nationwide, highlighting its broader dedication to education and community service.
Rooted in a mission to promote transformative leadership and personal growth, the Institute’s programs range from a few hours to multi-day retreats. The new building was specifically crafted to support this variety of experiences, combining function with comfort, technology with nature, and elegance with simplicity.
The North Building sits strategically on a ridgeline overlooking a small lake and stream, using the site’s natural contours to enhance the guest experience. It includes a three-story Conference Center Wing and a four-story Guest Room Wing, housing 64 thoughtfully appointed rooms. Amenities such as a 220-person restaurant, an indoor/outdoor bar, wellness and fitness centers, and an array of conference and breakout spaces provide a comprehensive environment for reflection, collaboration, and learning.
The project was not without its challenges. Navigating dual-use occupancies (business and residential), site access limitations, proximity to sensitive wetlands, and complex life safety and code requirements required a high level of design and engineering coordination. The pandemic and resultant supply chain issues further complicated material procurement and construction timelines. Despite these obstacles, the North Building was successfully delivered as a resilient, elegant, and forward-thinking addition to the Institute’s mission-driven campus.