Bank Of China Headquarters

The Bank of China Head Office occupies a key site at the intersection of two of the most important thoroughfares Beijing: Xidan Street, a north-south shopping spine, and Changanjie, the city’s main east-west axis, which leads directly to Tiananmen Square and the entrance to the Forbidden City.

The head office takes full advantage of its site with a building envelope that maximizes usable space within while observing regulated height limits. The overall bulk is further reduced by placing extensive facilities below grade.

Its quietly elegant Roman travertine cladding acknowledges both the importance of the site and the solidity and stability of the Bank.

The ceremonial main entrance is located at the corner of Xidan Street and Changanjie. It is topped by a reception room with a peaked skylight overlooking both the ancient and the modern city.

The building features a central atrium, with a multi-pyramid skylight roof, surrounding an interior Chinese garden. A large lower level auditorium seating 2,000, and cafeteria facilities can be accessed from the garden.

The building consists of two L-shaped components. Two sides of the structure afford clear passage into the atrium, with no columns supporting the structure above. With natural light entering from eight sides, the building appears light in contrast to its chunky neighbors.