Overall design of HCMC State Bank
Dublin Core
Title
Overall design of HCMC State Bank
Description
The building locates at number 8, Võ Văn Kiệt Street, District 1, HCMC. The building was designed by the French architect Félix Dumaill and constructed between 1923 and 1929. And it was made primarily out of stone (Corfield 2013, 40). The building occupies an entire city block, with four sides of the building being city streets with one riverfront frontage. The base of the building is raised above the pavement with a height greater than an adult. The building also has a great height; compared to modern facilities in the area, it is at least equivalent to five stories height. So citizens who walk down the streets around the building will feel very small compared to the height and size of the building.
From the horizontal view, the façade of the building has four layers. One is the base, higher than an adult's height, and the visitor will have to walk up the steps to enter the building. The second layer is the tallest part, including ten pilasters, and it creates the classical look of the building. The third layer includes ten short pilasters; the fourth layer is the roof with decorative details with Indochina influence. The prominent height of the second layer compared to the third and the fourth creates a sense of heaviness in the building.
Vertically, the building has an asymmetrical design. The façade of the building has three main blocks. The middle block has steps so guests can go up and enter the big door in the middle. The middle block has eight pilasters, giving the building an antique look similar to Greek temples. The second block consists of two large gates on either side where cars can enter. This section moves forward more than the middle, giving depth to the building's façade. The third block is the main functional block of the building, designed to be entirely rearward in order to help make the two main parts of the façade stand out even more.
Reference:
Corfield, Justin. 2013. Historical Dictionary of Ho Chi Minh City. London: Anthem Press.
From the horizontal view, the façade of the building has four layers. One is the base, higher than an adult's height, and the visitor will have to walk up the steps to enter the building. The second layer is the tallest part, including ten pilasters, and it creates the classical look of the building. The third layer includes ten short pilasters; the fourth layer is the roof with decorative details with Indochina influence. The prominent height of the second layer compared to the third and the fourth creates a sense of heaviness in the building.
Vertically, the building has an asymmetrical design. The façade of the building has three main blocks. The middle block has steps so guests can go up and enter the big door in the middle. The middle block has eight pilasters, giving the building an antique look similar to Greek temples. The second block consists of two large gates on either side where cars can enter. This section moves forward more than the middle, giving depth to the building's façade. The third block is the main functional block of the building, designed to be entirely rearward in order to help make the two main parts of the façade stand out even more.
Reference:
Corfield, Justin. 2013. Historical Dictionary of Ho Chi Minh City. London: Anthem Press.
Creator
Bui Hoang Long
Citation
Bui Hoang Long, “Overall design of HCMC State Bank,” Augustus in Saigon!?, accessed October 23, 2024, https://augustusinsaigon.uni-trier.de/items/show/30.