Abstract
The materials on the development of modern architecture in Korea are being collected and organized in a systemic fashion. However, this is not the case with the materials relative to interior design. They are gradually disappearing or being lost. In particular, no serious attempt has yet been made to determine the characteristics and historic value of the interior design of the modern bank buildings. The purpose of this study is to trace the disappearing legacy of the interior design of modern bank buildings by learning the inner space arrangements of these buildings and the characteristics of modern interior design in order to determine the historic significance of modern commercial interior design. Banks of relatively large scale were selected for the purpose of this study. They consisted of: Chosun Bank(1911) and its Andong, Wonsan and Cheongjin branches; Chosun Shiksan Banks and its Busan, Daegu and Pyongyang branches; the Busan branch of the 18 Bank; Dongil Bank, Chosun Savings Bank(1935) and their branches. The study focused on the space arrangements and design characteristics of these banks. Although they aimed at modernization in designingtheir interior spaces, the modern bank buildings were not representative of any particular style of interior design. While western style designs were prevalent, eclectic designs incorporating many different styles existed. The characteristics of the interior design of banks of the time included installation of such decorations and use of high quality construction materials for interior and exterior expressing the wealth as to create an aura of credibility for the banks, while the floor arrangements were relatively stereotyped and simplified.