Page 137 - JCAU-6-2

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

conservation endeavors. Consequently, there is a pressing modern buildings renders them socially and politically
need to delve deeper into the value positioning of such crucial in urban renewal. As symbols of the national
buildings in the context of urban regeneration and to financial institution, the renovation and revitalization of
explore innovative approaches for adaptive utilization, as these buildings are usually led by the government, limiting
emphasized through the analysis of the Bank of China case. possibilities of purely commercial renovation.
6.1. The value of modern bank buildings in urban Previous surveys have shown that museum-oriented
renewal contexts approaches, while capable of revealing historic connotations
and attracting public interest, often lack systematic value
In contemporary China’s pursuit of a “conservation- assessment and historic research in curation. Repetitive
oriented society,” the renovation of buildings for sustainable exhibitions encroach on valuable space within these
use has garnered attention (Zheng, 2007). Bank-type modern buildings. Public knowledge gaps about modern
modern buildings, pivotal in shaping urban historic financial architecture indicate a broader societal deficiency
landscapes and significant in urban renewal planning, in recognizing the value of such architecture. This gap
harbor immense potential for research and utilization. emphasizes the need to establish an effective link from
However, unlike the well-established heritage conservation value analysis to interpretation and display. Rethinking the
systems in the West, China’s approach to conserving and history behind these modern buildings and abandoning
utilizing these buildings is still at its nascent stage, lacking inherent notions of demolition and reconstruction in
systematic value assessment and mature sustainable use modern urban design are pivotal. A proposed use strategy,
experiences. Nonetheless, through the analysis of the Bank based on value analysis, offers suggestions for future
of China case, several identified value dimensions deserve adaptive reuse while preserving cultural identity.
future attention in the renewal and refurbishment of bank-
type modern buildings, including: 6.2.1. Master planning: Zoning utilization
(i) Historic value: These buildings symbolize the birth Based on historic value, geographic location, and social
of China’s modern financial industry, embodying environment, we have constructed a master plan of “three
its conscious commitment to national development metropolises, five areas, and multi-point linkage.” This
during times of societal transformation. They stand composite plan forms a pattern of three metropolises as
as a witness to the dynamic evolution of various geographic centers and five major areas as cultural zoning,
facets of modern society, including economy, culture, providing a basic direction of value interpretation across
military, ideology, science, and technology, providing different areas (Figure 14).
a quintessential reference for narrating the nation’s
contemporary development. 6.2.2. Intrinsic value: Interpretation analysis
(ii) Artistic value: Modern bank buildings masterfully framework
organize functional financial and cultural spaces By analyzing the historical process, construction, and
within constrained physical parameters. Representing layout of the Bank of China’s modern buildings, we
high-quality, early modern financial architectural can see their fundamental drive rooted in a public and
heritage within China, these buildings reflect both nationalistic ethos. Evident in the pursuit of national
Chinese and Western cultural influences, shaping city independence, wealth, and strength, and original intent
skylines and mirroring constantly changing modern to serve society, these buildings epitomize a commitment
esthetic trends. to global integration with equality and openness. Their
(iii) Socio-cultural value: As banking industry pioneers, spirit of innovation has been a catalyst for industry
modern bank buildings were the spatial embodiment transformation. Recognizing this intrinsic value, we have
of the banking system revolution. These structures developed a framework to interpret this core value through
transformed modern financial culture, shaping various themes, further refining it through a structured
public understanding and trust in financial services, approach called “General theme–Sub-themes–Topics,”
disseminating modern financial cultural concepts, applied across multiple exhibition themes (Figure 15).
and fostering social memory and imagination.
6.2.3. Instrumental value: Social function positioning
6.2. From value analysis to display: A vital pathway The value interpretation framework is an essential
for revitalization
prerequisite in conserving and utilizing buildings,
China’s modern era has its own special cultural anchoring decision-making processes. Considering the
characteristics and historical trajectory (Zhang et al., 2020). heritage value, history, culture, and preservation status
The historical and cultural significance of the Bank of China’s is crucial when determining these building’s social

Volume 6 Issue 2 (2024) 15 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2166