The Hongkong &
Shanghai Banking Corporation, Mumbai
Built in the early 20th century and located
in a historic area of South Mumbai – Flora Fountain, surrounded by beautiful colonial
buildings, this relatively modern building is built in the Art Deco style. The
basement, and upper two floors were completed before the mezzanine and ground
floors were taken up. The existing mezzanine was badly located as it blocked all
air and light and to construct a new one was difficult as the Bank had to function
even during the renovation. However,
the architects convinced the clients to reorganise the entire ground floor and
mezzanine floors to complete this project in many phases spanning approximately
two years. The new mezzanine floats in the banking hall, freeing the windows on
all external sides, thus allowing a lot air and light into the volume. The teller
counters which form a very important part of the banking hall were sub – divided
into corporate tellers with separate entry, and personal tellers.
The flooring is made up of a combination
of strongly patterned Italian marble and carpeting. Metal was used in the railings,
furniture and signage.
