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Volume 2 - ElectricCanadian.com

Volume 2 - ElectricCanadian.com

Volume 2 - ElectricCanadian.com

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496 HISTORY OF THE BANKof architectural symmetry and those of the department of thespecialsuperintendent of central western branches, and to meet theconditions of western business. The Vancouver building1 is of a type different from those in Montreal and Winnipeg,and occupies a corner site, which gives it a wide extent offagade. It is acknowledged to be a beautiful building.The simplicity of the means by which these results have beenachieved is worthy of note. The outside walls of the largestbuildings have been constructed of Canadian granite, while inthe smaller ones the materials are stone, terra cotta and brick,in <strong>com</strong>binations varying according to the circumstances ofeach case. The interiors likewise exhibit the same restraint.It was early found that the use of marble, save on an elaborateand monumental scale and when ac<strong>com</strong>panied by manyformal accessories in the way of furnishings, produced a coldand uncongenial effect, and that a furnished and habitableatmosphere could more easily be produced by the propertreatment of hardwoods and by colour decoration. In mostof the finest buildings owned by the bank, marble is confined tothe floor of the public space, and bronze isused only for thetellers' wickets.The present head office building, 2 which is the work ofan older generation of architects, has many merits of its own,and few defects. The exterior, although the detail is moreelaborate than the best architectural talent would now employ,is in many respects creditable and excellent. The interiormakes no pretensions to be more than a practical office building,but is economically arranged, of excellent constructionand has served the bank well. As stated in the body of thiswork, 3 the adjoining buildings have been acquired by the bankand plans have been formed for the erection on the enlargedsite of a new and <strong>com</strong>modious head office building, which isbadly needed. The carrying out of these plans was deferred'See plate 18. facing page 134.'See plate 14, facing page 102.See pages 256 and 351.

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