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BMO Bank of Montreal Main Branch, Vancouver BC
BMO Bank of Montreal Main Branch, Vancouver BC
595, Burrard Street, Vancouver, Canada
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Other Projects by Iredale Architecture
BMO Bank of Montreal Main Branch, Vancouver BC
595, Burrard Street, Vancouver, Canada
BMO
Bank of Montreal opened its current main branch in Vancouver in 1974. Its show
piece is Frank Musson’s glass pavilion structure at the corner of Burrard and
Dunsmuir, but the branch also utilizes space at the concourse (mall) level as
well as the Bentall Tower III lobby level. The pavilion’s clean lines and
transparent skin reveal the dramatic geometry of the structural columns that
branch out and form a tree-like canopy above the main hall. Below the main hall
is the concourse level, which before the renovation housed the teller stations,
public service offices and other functions for the bank. The concourse also
doubles as a major pedestrian route using escalators to connect the underground
mall to Burrard Street during office hours.
The
pavilion’s prominent location and timeless design encouraged the design team to
have BMO review the pavilion’s functions in relationship to its public
exposure. In recent years, the pavilion had become cluttered with random office
partitions and the sense of the ‘grand hall’ had become lost. The client’s
program for the renovation eventually called for the reinstatement of this
space as the main banking hall. This involved moving the teller stations up to
the pavilion level and allocating the concourse level to the various
administrative offices. As part of BMO’s new corporate policy, the client also
requested increased transparency. All of this had to be accomplished with the
bank still in full operation.
Pavilion
Level Design Rationale
- The main guiding design principle involved inserting the new construction in
such a way so as not to take away anything from the cleanliness and formality
of the existing structure. The solution was to amalgamate the teller stations
into one sweeping counter that weaves its way through the rectangular array of
columns and establishes a simple, formal gesture. The go to station was placed
at the centre point of this radius, adjacent the main entrance to direct
clients upon their arrival. The movement of clientele was reinforced by a
radial arc inscribed into the floor with an epoxy terrazzo finish, shadowing
the curve of the main counter. Glazed partitions behind the counter maintain
the transparency requested in the design brief. A simple pallet of materials
consisting of black walnut paneling and trims, stainless steel accents, white
solid surface counters and western hemlock ceiling louvers help maintain a
clean, modern aesthetic.
Concourse
Level Design Rationale
- The irregular spacing of the existing structure coupled with the pedestrian
traffic flow patterns led to the development of a more organic layout and form
language. While the forms are meant to imply movement, mimicking eddies and
swirls of a mountain stream, the soft curves are also designed to evoke a sense
of calm in a space that sees a lot of traffic during business hours. The
bulkheads above the glazed office partitions were pulled back to visually
expand the width of the main corridor, allowing the glass walls to almost float
on their own. The curves formed by the drywall bulkheads are mirrored in the
terrazzo flooring, playing on the reflective qualities inherent in water. The
feature wall in the client waiting area is comprised of pre-cast gypsum panels
lit from above with full spectrum LED lighting, enabling multiple ambient
settings. The fluid form language of the concourse level relates well with the
sweeping curve introduced in the upstairs pavilion, maintaining a consistent
vocabulary throughout the entire renovation.
Low flow fixtures, low voltage lighting
controls, local materials and a construction waste management plan were
incorporated to help reduce operating costs and limit the project’s
environmental impact.
Bank of Montreal opened its current main branch in Vancouver in 1974. Its show
piece is Frank Musson’s glass pavilion structure at the corner of Burrard and
Dunsmuir, but the branch also utilizes space at the concourse (mall) level as
well as the Bentall Tower III lobby level. The pavilion’s clean lines and
transparent skin reveal the dramatic geometry of the structural columns that
branch out and form a tree-like canopy above the main hall. Below the main hall
is the concourse level, which before the renovation housed the teller stations,
public service offices and other functions for the bank. The concourse also
doubles as a major pedestrian route using escalators to connect the underground
mall to Burrard Street during office hours.
The
pavilion’s prominent location and timeless design encouraged the design team to
have BMO review the pavilion’s functions in relationship to its public
exposure. In recent years, the pavilion had become cluttered with random office
partitions and the sense of the ‘grand hall’ had become lost. The client’s
program for the renovation eventually called for the reinstatement of this
space as the main banking hall. This involved moving the teller stations up to
the pavilion level and allocating the concourse level to the various
administrative offices. As part of BMO’s new corporate policy, the client also
requested increased transparency. All of this had to be accomplished with the
bank still in full operation.
Pavilion
Level Design Rationale
- The main guiding design principle involved inserting the new construction in
such a way so as not to take away anything from the cleanliness and formality
of the existing structure. The solution was to amalgamate the teller stations
into one sweeping counter that weaves its way through the rectangular array of
columns and establishes a simple, formal gesture. The go to station was placed
at the centre point of this radius, adjacent the main entrance to direct
clients upon their arrival. The movement of clientele was reinforced by a
radial arc inscribed into the floor with an epoxy terrazzo finish, shadowing
the curve of the main counter. Glazed partitions behind the counter maintain
the transparency requested in the design brief. A simple pallet of materials
consisting of black walnut paneling and trims, stainless steel accents, white
solid surface counters and western hemlock ceiling louvers help maintain a
clean, modern aesthetic.
Concourse
Level Design Rationale
- The irregular spacing of the existing structure coupled with the pedestrian
traffic flow patterns led to the development of a more organic layout and form
language. While the forms are meant to imply movement, mimicking eddies and
swirls of a mountain stream, the soft curves are also designed to evoke a sense
of calm in a space that sees a lot of traffic during business hours. The
bulkheads above the glazed office partitions were pulled back to visually
expand the width of the main corridor, allowing the glass walls to almost float
on their own. The curves formed by the drywall bulkheads are mirrored in the
terrazzo flooring, playing on the reflective qualities inherent in water. The
feature wall in the client waiting area is comprised of pre-cast gypsum panels
lit from above with full spectrum LED lighting, enabling multiple ambient
settings. The fluid form language of the concourse level relates well with the
sweeping curve introduced in the upstairs pavilion, maintaining a consistent
vocabulary throughout the entire renovation.
Low flow fixtures, low voltage lighting
controls, local materials and a construction waste management plan were
incorporated to help reduce operating costs and limit the project’s
environmental impact.
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