Bank's architecture explained

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 423, 11 February 1992, Page 10

Bank's architecture explained

Architect Jeff Bondy is quietly proud of the new Trust Bank Central Ohakune premises which his

firm designed. He said the philosophy behind the different aspects of the design was to match

the unique character of Ohakune, with its pioneer image of colonial faqades on its commercial build-

ings. "We discarded the idea of a Disney type facsimile of an old Turnpage 12

W . Architecture explained

Frompage 10 style bank because that would be impractical with modern banking practices/' he said. The idea was to get some of the feeling of Ohakune' s history - its old railway town past. "We wanted to bring

forward that Tiitching raiT sort of pioneer image and fit it in with a modern bank, using textures and materials which characterise the place." The building is a Lockwood, constructed by the developer Peter Richards Builders, with natural timber prevalent. But to avoid a log cabin look the architects chose to paint some walls to lighten the interior, and they took some trouble to expose the roof trusses in a way that would suggest a wool shed interior. "We were after strong rugged natural textures and shapes to reconcile the modern, slick materials you find in a bank." The counter is the most obvious of the internal features to fit in this category and, despite many derogatory comments, Jeff believes those who don't like it will come to accept it. The massive counter is set on demolition brick plinths, with the bottom timbers of old railway jarrah. On these are set huge beams of oregon pine and rimu timber. Their layout is designed to be reminiscent of a stack of old railway sleepers, so features such as old paint and bolts have been deliberately left intact. Concealed lighting washes across the old timber to highlight its texture. The black vinyl top is edged in tawa in its natural colour but properly finished. The counter is designed with computer termi-

nals set low, to avoid creating a barrier between the customer and the staff. "People will react to it (the counter) which is good," said Mr Bondy. "Sometimes it is a negative reaction, but that is better than none at all." "I'm confident the bank will, as time goes by, become something of a reference point around Ohakune." He said he has had many people, not Ohakune residents, who have come to him and said they think the bank looks great. "It is a brave step to take for the Trust Bank to build a bank which is out of the ordinary. Most new city banks are very much of a mould, with all modern materials and very little charaeter." The witches' hat light shades are reminiscent of an old style bank. The doors are upmarket timber - tawa - though built with

bracing showing in an older style. Terra cotta floor tiles with huge Belgian rugs are the reverse of the normal full carpet with tiles in the heavy traffic areas, which is also getting back to the old style of having bare floors and rugs rather than fitted carpets. As a customer walks in the front door they are confronted with an information counter, which fits the plan of many new banks. The customer can then be directed to the appropriate place if need be. Next door is an interview room for privacy, and to the right is the main counter, with an open interview desk at the end, then the manager's office. Waiting areas with traditional roll back couches are outside the interview room and the manager's office. Chairs at the public write-up desks are a simple bentwood style reminiscent of

days past and the desks are simply designed in timber rather than the more common modern materials. The manager's office includes an old 'partner's desk' of the type that was used in accountant's offices. "The bank is no longer hidden away in the town," said Mr Bondy. "It is at the leading edge of what is happening in the town." He said they were very pleased to be able to carry the canopy to the road edge, which provides sccurity and cover for customers. "This is only the first stage of the development, but the building is immediately recognisable as a modern building, but I like to think it is an intelligent use of traditional elements already in the town," he said, refcrring to the high fa;ade with the rounded pediments concealing the roof at the back.