ABSTRACT

This article undertakes an analysis of the symbolism present in the architecture and design in nineteenth century British banking. It focuses upon the headquarters of National Provincial Bank of England, which was built in the 1860s. It explores the symbols and messages that those at the bank wished to communicate to those that viewed the building. The analysis finds that those at the bank impressed its national identity, achieved through its extensive branch network, as its key message which differentiated it from its rivals. Other symbols emphasized that it had adapted to the local market and was equal in terms of competency and richness in comparison to its competitors. We argue that these messages became part of the organization’s identity and its brand, as well as the culture of the City of London more broadly. The article provides a new explanation for symbolic meanings represented by bank architecture. It integrates the existing discussion of bank architecture in historical research with the theoretical frameworks and literature being developed in organizational identity and branding.

摘要

本文对19世纪英国银行业建筑和设计中的象征意义进行了分析。它集中于建于1860年代的英格兰国家银行的总部。它探索银行人员希望与查看建筑物的人员交流的符号和消息。分析发现，通过广泛的分支机构网络，这些人留下了深刻的印象，成为其区别于竞争对手的关键信息。其他符号强调它已经适应了本地市场，并且在能力和丰富性方面与竞争对手相比是平等的。我们认为，这些信息已成为该组织的身份和品牌以及更广泛的伦敦市文化的一部分。本文为银行体系结构所代表的符号含义提供了新的解释。它将历史研究中有关银行体系结构的现有讨论与组织身份和品牌发展中的理论框架和文献相结合。