31 OCTOBER 1931, Page 34

SIMILARITY IN ARCHITECTURE.

A certain general similarity that is apparent in buildings designed for this purpose is therefore not unnatural, and at the same time makes them easily distinguishable from other buildings, and is a very desirable factor from the bankers' point of view, and one which they encourage : and to the discerning eye each of the banks has an individuality of its own, so that it is possible to recognize one from the other at a distance where the name is not legible. bFor some years one of the banks had a strong predi- lection for a particular stone and semi-circular headed Windows separated by sturdy columns, and even went so far as to discuss the possibility of a standardized design.

Each of the Five has its own very definite charac- teristics, but I think that recently, owing to a growing appreciation of the desirability of designing to conform with local tradition, this has become less pronounced.

I have in mind a town which flourished in the eighteenth century and contains many charming brick buildings : the banks all harmonize with the prevailing character of the place. One bank in particular makes a practice of converting to its use, wherever it is possible, ancient guildhalls or market houses, and many provincial towns owe the preservation of some historical building entirely to this fact : vide the old market place—Henley-in- Arden.

I cannot conceive that this public-spirited action F-rovides the institution in question with premises really suitable for banking purposes, but possibly the publicity thus obtained compensates for any inconvenience that may result. Publicity is an important factor, and the absorption of corner sites is part of this policy, but the advantage of light from two fronts, and the additional security obtained is still more important. Good light is of great assistance to the cashier in the examination of signatures : whilst an island is the ideal for security, since although attack can then be made from any side, it can only be carried out in the glare of publicity.