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

Figure 11. Bank of China building in Shanghai (Shanghai branch 5) with Chinese cultural elements. Source: Drawings and photos by Jun Wang (based on
an elevation plan by the Party History Office of the Bank of China)

internal office areas, and auxiliary annexes (Figure 10). Renaissance or eclectic styles, exemplified by buildings
They represent a transition from the traditional financial such as the Oriental Exchange Bank in Tianjin and the
buildings of the late Qing dynasty to advanced modern Russo-Chinese Bank. Some banks embraced Classical
financial spaces, offering a visual narrative of China’s Revivalism, as seen in the Citibank in Tianjin. However,
evolution and development while retaining cultural after the 1920s, influenced by modernist trends, some
identity (Figure 11). banks adopted a simpler and brightly modernist style,
Just as the soaring domes and vaults of European religious exemplified by the Belgian Bank in Tianjin.
buildings create a sacred space that guides worshippers’ Within the fusion of Chinese and Western architectural
spirits upward, Bank of China’s architecture also serves influences, these buildings encompass a diverse range
as a guide – though not for spiritual ascension, but for a of architectural styles, spanning traditional late Qing-
sense of order. The design of flat space instills a sense of dynasty Chinese structures, colonial verandas, classical
rigor, trustworthiness, and authority. In these modern bank revival, eclecticism, Art Deco, and modern buildings with
buildings, the lobby serves as the core space that directs and nationalist themes. This diversity stems from historical
organizes the flow of the public. It is through this central hub construction practices influenced by foreign architectural
that visitors and clients navigate the building, conducting concepts blending with indigenous building traditions.
their financial transactions, inquiries, and interactions. This transformation reflects the evolving cultural mindset
From this viewpoint, Bank of China’s modern buildings of Chinese architects during this period, characterized
exemplify architectural space planning, predominantly by a trajectory from passive absorption and assimilation
guiding public flow through the lobby and ensuring a to a phase of imitation, borrowing, and culminating in
harmonious resource allocation. architectural expressions, reflecting both local identity and
scientific principles (Lai, 2008). This process illustrates
5.2.3. Architectural style a dynamic interplay between the “East” and the “West”
The architectural styles of Bank of China buildings have within architectural discourse, signifying a shift in
evolved over time. In the early period, many banks adopted Chinese architectural values and esthetic trends toward

Volume 6 Issue 2 (2024) 12 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2166