The Old Bank of New Zealand building stands tall on the corner of Cuba
and Manners street and is a well-noticed and predominant building within the
Wellington CBD. It was first constructed in 1913 by William Turnbull and
contains many “exuberant appearances with large tympani, repetitive
pediments, buttress-like pilasters and broken entablatures” (Norberg-Schulz,
(1972,p184-185) which shows the Baroque from the building expresses. These
features can be indentified with the Baroque style of architecture and is the 5th
style bank building within Wellington with another being the Old Bank Arcade on
Lampton Quay. Pillars lining the entrance stand strong indicating an entry
point with numerous lion heads and other fine decorations around the outer
walls linking back to the Baroque style as seen in the images. “The BNZ
building in the centre of town has had the decorative impact of its elaborate
pillars and pediments and fine plaster curls” (McGill, (1997,p129). Considering
the buildings use in the past as a bank it was seen as a very strong place of
power and authority, “Solidity evokes dignity, stability,
security, and imposing and splendid facades have a great concern for
concentrating ornament to give a convincing impression of power and wealth” (Norberg-Schulz,
(1972,p97). The Baroque style is carried through with many features in this Old
Bank Building and has maintained them through many years with only paint and
interior tweaks being the only changes.
References:
- Christian Norberg-Schulz. (1972). Baroque Architecture.
Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New
York
Retrieved from Te Waharoa Victoria University of
Wellington Library
- David McGill. (1997). Landmarks – Notable Historic
Buildings of New Zealand. Godwit Publishing Limited, New Zealand
Retrieved from Te Waharoa Victoria University of
Wellington Library
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