The first impression that comes into our mind about the word ‘bank’ is often associated with a place to save and manage money. However, if we are talking about futuristic architecture, it turns out that there are a large number of buildings of these financial institutions with brilliant designs. These amazing architectures can be witnessed all around the world as they are the works of the best designers with limitless creativity.

Therefore, the end designs are not only greatly functioning offices but also a masterpiece of the designer. Read on to find out more about how these stunning works of genius.

1. Bank of America Tower, New York City, New York, United States

Bank of America is a great work of architecture presented by brilliant architects and designers from the local company known as COOKFOX. Known by another name, One Bryant Park, the bank was completed in 2009 and has been standing in the Big Apple ever since. Soaring in the altitude of 1,200 feet with 55 stories, Bank of America Tower is also claimed to be the fourth tallest building in the great city of New York after One World Trade Center, 432 Park Avenue, and the Empire State Building. The budget to build this skyscraper is no kidding as well. It is told that the completed construction costs up to $ 1 billion. What a number! It is not surprising that the end result is so satisfying, thanks to the hard work and creativity of the COOKFOX team.

Not only magnificent as it is, the architecture of Bank of America Tower also deserves a title as one of the most efficient and ecologically friendly buildings in the world since it gets LEED Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council making it the first skyscraper to attain such official recognition. Furthermore, the architecture of this bank is considered a worldwide model for green architecture in skyscrapers.

2. HSBC Main Building, Hong Kong

Another brilliant architectural work of bank offices is the head office of a multinational bank HSBC (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) in one of the busiest city in the world, Hong Kong. Completed in 1986, the architecture is believed to possess a “good feng shui” as this HSBC headquarter office stands close to the water of Victoria Harbor. It is believed that water is associated with wealth, as told in ancient system of Chinese philosophy.

Moreover, being close to the body of water giving an advantage in a way that making the great building stands out more as the view won’t be obstructed by other buildings. Presented by one of the greatest architecture companies, Foster + Partners, the HSBC office has been awarded with Premier Architecture London Royal Academy and the Quaternario Award for Innovative Technology in Architecture.

3. The European Investment Bank, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

The striking design of the new headquarters for the European Investment Bank (EIB) deserves a worldwide recognition as one of the most marvelous architecture. Düsseldorf-based international firm Ingenhoven Architects completed this work in 2008 and the building has functioned as the main office for the financial institution ever since.

The tubular glass roof extents up to 170-metre long and 50-metre wide supported by steel superstructure beneath extremely lightweight glass. Enveloped mainly by glass roofs, the office gets direct light from the sun during the day.

In addition, the transparence of the glass allows the workers to see through the rejuvenating beautiful city view beyond while working in one of the biggest financial institution in the world. Each individual is given access to control the mechanical systems for lighting and ventilation so that they can open their windows to the atrium and winter garden outside anytime they want. As sophisticated and artistic as it is, the new EIB headquarter office is rated ‘very good’ by the UK’s Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and has attained Emilio Ambasz Prize for Green Architecture for International Building.

4. NORD / LB, Hanover, Germany

A leading universal bank in Germany called Norddeutsche Landesbank or NORD / LB has a magnificent headquarter that is situated in Hanover, Germany. It is difficult not to notice this building as it has a uniquely distinctive exterior. Its asymmetrical exterior takes a unique form as if various sized blocks were being stacked vertically. The end result, however, is breath-taking. This seventy-meter-high building establishes an urban futuristic style that detaches itself from the surroundings.

The varied sections of the building are naturally ventilated by glass windows that also provide lighting as they allow sunlight to bright up the office during the day. The design also includes roof gardens that alleviate the look of the building and also improve the environment for the occupants. Besides, it also serves a role to collect rainwater for watering the garden itself and also for being used within the building. The building was completed in 2002 by Behnisch, Behnisch & Partner and has achieved a number of awards such as On Stirling Prize Midlist, RIBA Award for Architecture, DuPont Benedictus Awards, Exhibition Interarch’, Deutscher Architekturpreis, Boston Society of Architects Sustainable Design Awards, BDA Preis Niedersachsen and Niedersächsischer Staatspreis für Architektur.

5. China Merchants Bank Tower, Shenzhen, China

On Shennan Boulevard, in the city of Shenzhen, China, stands a stupendous architecture of the China Merchants Bank Tower. The building is standing out from its surroundings as it is the tallest building in the area with the most sophisticated design. Sticking out with distinction, the office is soaring to a height of 738 feet covered in glazed glass panels. Its unique form makes it even more noticeable. Designed by the international architectural firm Leigh & Orange Ltd, the project was completed in 2001 and this 50-story building has become the skyscraper in China.

6. Bendigo Bank, Bendigo, Australia

A collaboration work of an Australian firm BVN Architecture and Gray Puksand has resulted an excellent work of architecture for the headquarters Bendigo Bank in Bendigo. Located in Bendigo, the office is designed to poses various colors making it looks ‘happy’ and lively, definitely a less stressful environment for working. Colorful panels made of aluminum serve two purposes; to decorate the building as well as to protect it from the sun. therefore, these panels do not only give an appealing look for the exterior, but also serves as a sunscreen that protects staffs from the brightness of the sun during hot days.

Completed in 2008, this work of architecture has achieved a number of Royal Australian Institute of Architects Award in 2009.

7. Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Nikken Sekkei Ltd has proven as a qualified and proficient company in the field of architecture design. One of it works is headquarter for the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Islamic Development Bank (also known as IDB) is a great financial institution with main office located in the heart of Jeddah. The exterior of the building is particularly exceptional with a narrow hole in its slender figure. The entire structure holds a complex bank office, international conference halls, welfare management office and car parks that are united as integrated tower. The 349-foot-tall building with 25 stories was completed in 1993 and was awarded Cityscape Architectural Review Awards in 2007.