A decade after the Swiss National Bank had opened its neo-baroque building in Berne, the bank's Zurich-based Governing Board moved into its own grand office building in 1922. This major work of the local firm of Otto and Werner Pfister is a prime example of neo-classicism in Switzerland and provided Zurich with an architectural landmark at the top end of its famous Bahnhofstrasse. Marking its centenary, this book celebrates the Zurich home of the Swiss Franc. It describes in detail and lavishly illustrated the architecture and building history from planning stage until today. This is supplemented by essays on bank architecture since the Middle Ages, the urban formation of Zurich and the city's development into a financial centre in the late 19th century. In his contribution, the renowned Canadian-British architect Adam Caruso compares it from today's perspective with other central bank buildings and places it in context of the Pfister brothers' other public commissions, many of which are occupying prominent locations in Zurich's cityscape. Richly illustrated with historical and new photographs, original plans and other historical documents, the volume pays tribute to a piece of public architecture that combines monumentality with pragmatism and republican modesty. AUTHOR: The Swiss National Bank, with its dual headquarters in Bern and Zurich, is in charge of Switzerland's monetary policy and the guardian of the Swiss Franc. SELLING POINTS: . The official book marking the centenary of the Swiss National Bank's headquarters building in Zurich . Offers a detailed description of the building's history and architecture, lavishly illustrated with historic and new photographs, original plans, and other documents . Places the building in the history of international bank architecture and of Zurich's urban formation and development into a financial centre in the late 19th century 128 colour, 179 b/w illustrations

The Swiss National Bank, with its dual headquarters in Bern and Zurich, is in charge of Switzerland's monetary policy and the guardian of the Swiss Franc.