Bank of China Head Office BuildingBeijing, China

The new Bank of China Head Office occu-pies a key site in the new financial district of Beijing. It stands at the intersection of two of the most important thoroughfares in China’s capital city: 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. This intersection will be reinforced as a vital transportation hub by a new bus terminal and a new subway line that will connect to existing routes. Directly opposite the Bank is a new public square.

The head office takes full advantage of its site with a building envelope that maximizes usable space within while observing regu-lated 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 Head Office’s 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 mod-ern city.

The building consists of two L-shaped com-ponents that enclose a central court, 180 square feet by 130 feet high, which includes a Chinese garden. A large lower level auditorium and cafeteria facilities lead off the garden which Bank officials look upon from encircling executive offices on the upper floors.

InformationHead office building of the Bank of ChinaMajor components include skylitgardens, monumental bankinghall, corporate and tenant offices,board room, reception hallBelow grade: cafeterias, 2,000-seat auditorium, vaults, parking1.8 million sq. ft. (168,000 sq. meters)

ArchitectPei Partnership Architects

Design ConsultantI.M. Pei Architect

Design InstituteChina Academy of Building Research

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Pei PartnersHiP arCHiteCts

Bank of China Head Office BuildingBeijing, China

PROJECT LOCATION

Above left and right: Exterior viewsBelow: Site plan

Pei PartnersHiP arCHiteCts

Bank of China Head Office BuildingBeijing, China

Above upper left: Stone garden detailAbove lower left: Garden detailAbove right: AtriumBelow: Floor plan of atrium and banking halls

Pei PartnersHiP arCHiteCts

Bank of China Head Office BuildingBeijing, China

Left: Top floor reception hallUpper middle: Auditorium prefunctionLower middle: AuditoriumUpper right: Executive floor corridorLower right: Executive office