Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank c. 1961 - 1962

This elevation study of the Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank, by McEnary and Krafft Architects and Engineers, gives us a detailed look at the soon to be built bank. The architects have rendered the proposed building in a smooth wash and precise lines of watercolor, which gives it an almost dream-like quality. I can imagine them, hunched over their drafting tables, meticulously planning every detail of this future landmark. They were likely trying to balance the need for modernity with a sense of tradition and stability that a bank would need to project. The clean lines and repetitive patterns of the windows make me think of a cityscape as a kind of abstract painting, almost like a geometric grid. And even though it’s a technical drawing, there’s still a sense of artistry in the way they’ve captured the light and shadow, giving the building a sense of depth and presence. It’s all related - architects, painters, we are all in conversation across time.