It took me a while to begin to understand why I like this building. And to be honest, I’m still figuring it out. One thing I know for sure is that the arches sparked my initial attraction. The arch plays many roles here, in all dimensions, and at different scales: it frames the light that enters at the exterior wall, forms the low ceiling of the extruded window boxes, supports the rectangular overhang, and articulates the repetitive rhythm of the windows above. The arch exudes a sculptural essence combined with a dose of functionality, giving the building a dominant yet delicate demeanor. I haven’t had the pleasure of exploring the inside, but it would be interesting to discover how the curve shapes the spaces within and how it might present themselves in even finer details. The subtle (and not so subtle) roundness of the arches, exterior corners, and window frames, as well as the visual thinness of the columns provides a sense of softness that balances out the strict rectilinear elements.
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California Bank & Trust Building (originally the Sumitomo Bank Building) c. 1965.
Oakland, CA
Architects: Shigenori Iyama + Robert Tanaka