Bank of London and South America

Basics

Function: Bank with office space
Architects: Clorindo Testa and SEPRA
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Built in 1966

The Bank of London and South America is a collaboration between two Argentinian architects and the Bank of London. The Bank of London’s resident architect, Gerald Wakeham, acted as an intermediary between client and architect, and some have suggested that he should be credited along with the local architects.

This building carefully utilizes columns outside the building envelope to extend the existing street wall while simultaneously creating wider pedestrian spaces. This was done in part because the main atrium was conceived of as a covered public plaza.

While there is some debate over the building’s style, it is widely regarded as Argentina’s best example of brutalism. It manages to package brutalism in a playful, sculptural way. It was a sensation when it was constructed, as evidenced by the crowd of 25,000 at its inauguration.

The bank was acquired in 1997 by Banco Hipotecario after being home to the local branch of Lloyds bank throughout most of the 1980s and ’90s.

Highlights

This building incorporates many of the tectonic and scaling elements of brutalism while also utilizing distinct massing elements to create welcoming public spaces.
Even though Argentina was never a colony of Britain and won its independence long before the 20th century, the unique relationship between the local architects and their British clients raising interesting questions about European influence in non-European nations.
I am struck by the use of subtractive massing on a colossal scale to create the building’s main entry point. This moment in the building is heightened by a giant concrete panel and a bright blue cockpit that appear to be floating in space.
Inside, the towering concrete spiral stairway dominates the space. I can’t quite decide if this massive gesture is welcoming or imposing.
I think this building shows us that building elements and materials can accomplish different things depending on their usage. For example, the building’s enormous concrete columns in front of the facade would look very much like something Le Corbusier would use, except they are broken up by various contours and openings to lighten them up a little.