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Washington State Bank The Washington State Bank building, which opened in 1956, became known as the Glass Bank. It was purportedly designed to take advantage of solar energy, with its green glass curtain wall on three sides (north, south and east). It represents an early attempt at an International Style bank building in Bellevue. According to Fred Herman, this building is of major architectural significance and represents a major break with tradition. The concept of an all glass, transparent bank is a radical departure from the standard, austere, classical, impenetrable American bank. Construction on the building began in September 1955, and the bank opened on May 26, 1956. In 1958, the bank won an AIA award of merit. The Washington State bank was also featured in Time Magazine and Architectural Forum (1958). By 1958, the bank building had been taken over by Seattle First National Bank. The bank building relates to the study unit themes of architecture and commerce. Although it has been altered, it still retains its basic plan and curtain-walls structure. The canopy is an unfortunate addition that detracts from the transparency and simple elegance of the original structure. |