Page 124 - JCAU-6-2

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Bank of China’s modern buildings

significant technological strides. According to Ashton giving rise to new financial institutions characterized by
(1997), the Industrial Revolution’s expansion paved the architectural styles distinct from the traditional norms in
way for the establishment of a financial sector centered East Asia. Oh (2007) summarizes the spatial layout and
around modern banking systems. Consequently, the design characteristics of representative bank buildings in
development and shaping of banking architecture were Korea, while some scholars have critically identified bank
closely intertwined with the culmination of the Industrial buildings as “colonial architecture” (Colombijn, 2022). In
Revolution. Before this period, banking spaces lacked China, research on modern bank buildings spans three main
a distinct architectural style or form, defined instead directions: historical origins (Chen, 2010; Hao et al., 2013;
by the interplay between bankers, monetary activities, Yan, 2014; Wang, 2020), architectural changes (Li, 2006;
and the spaces they occupied (Leader, 2021). Essentially, Chen, 2007; Fang et al., 2008; Zhou, 2019; Zhang, 2020), and
any structure associated with economic activities and conservation and restoration analyses of specific cases (Lan,
trade could be termed a “banking building” (Commerce 2009; Xu, 2013; Xu et al., 2014; Gao, 2016; Xu, 2021).
and Exchange Buildings Listing Selection Guide, 2011). Despite China’s increasing attention to preserving
However, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution such historical buildings, commercial interests often drive
and propelled by new technologies and materials, bank owners to demolish old structures and erect new ones,
buildings gradually adopted standardized architectural undermining the preservation of historical information
styles and internal spatial designs (Li et al., 2005). and causing significant damage to their physical form and
As the 21 century unfolds, there has been a growing cultural value. This situation warrants introspection within
st
acknowledgment that industrial heritage should be the architectural conservation community.
comprehended and interpreted within urban landscapes The Bank of China, as the nation’s oldest financial
(Merciu et al., 2014; Zhang et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2022). institution, boasts a widespread presence in such buildings,
People have progressively recognized the historical value making it an ideal case study for exploring modern China’s
and symbolic significance of bank buildings as important architectural style and social evolution. These preserved
industrial heritage sites. For instance, Black (1996; 2000) Bank of China buildings, scattered across various cities, serve
investigates the new headquarters of the London and as living testimonials to both the architectural trends of the
Westminster Bank in the early 19 century, revealing that colonial period and the development of modern Chinese
th
bank buildings carry symbolic meanings of strength and financial building esthetics. Moreover, they offer a unique
status, along with esthetic significance in the metropolitan opportunity for the discussion of conservation, restoration,
landscape. In addition, scholars such as Barnes & Newton and adaptive reuse of historic architectural heritage. However,
(2018; 2019) and Barnes et al. (2020) have scrutinized studies dedicated to these Bank of China buildings remain
the symbolism embedded in British banking architecture limited. Existing studies predominantly focus on interpreting
of the 19 century. By tracing the history of Gibson Hall, architectural style and artistic value (Xu & Hu, 2018; Xu &
th
the National Local Bank of London, from its design and Cheng, 2020), with scarce attention given to presenting and
construction to its demolition, they have revealed the interpreting their historical and cultural significance as a
evolution of urban conservation and civic consciousness collective entity through the lens of adaptive reuse.
in Britain over the century. Simultaneously, practical
concerns have arisen as historical bank buildings face This paper, built upon empirical research and
demolition and neglect due to the obsolescence of their comprehensive data synthesis, presents a catalog of 26
modern bank buildings in China. It investigates their
original functions and the emergence of new businesses historical origins, business operations, present conservation
(Guggenheim, 2014). In the past few years, certain status, and utilization plans. Through historical research
researchers have also proposed the idea that modern bank and a broad analysis of Bank of China buildings as an
buildings are the most appropriate historic resources for integrated entity, this paper aims to formulate a set of
contemporary adaptive reuse (Morales, 2019).
coherent value interpretation and presentation strategies
The rise of banking was intricately linked to the before embarking on renovations for any specific building.
expansion of trade, the ascent of the merchant class, and By introducing the concept of “serial cultural heritage,”
the augmentation of personal wealth and prosperity (Pan, these strategies seek to interconnect various historic sites,
2003). In East Asia, the colonization initiated by European adeptly conveying the cultural nuances and profound
nations resulted in the imposition of Western architectural social significance embedded within these modern bank
styles on cities and regions. Particularly notable is the buildings during their restoration and subsequent adaptive
th
post-19 century period, where the deepening impact of reuse. This approach aims to sustain the complete cultural
colonization spurred heightened trade and cultural exchange, identity of Bank of China buildings.

Volume 6 Issue 2 (2024) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2166