Paper long abstract:

During the 1950s the Gold Coast and Nigeria saw a number of official building projects, for example the Kumasi institute, that equipped the 'new nations' with appropriately impressive architectural artefacts, many of which were starkly out of place compared to the existing indigenous architecture, new private buildings and colonial-style houses. The architecture of British business establishments also underwent a decisive change during decolonisation, emulating many of the official building projects in their decidedly modernist style. (Most of the evidence presented comes from the two imperial banks, Bank of British West Africa and Barclays Bank DCO, which embarked on programme of rebuilding old branches and establishing new ones.)This paper argues that British firms intended to realise a number of objectives with this investment: by participating in the new symbolism of progress and modernity, they gained the goodwill of African politicians, notables and customers. New buildings provided solid evidence of their intention to invest in a new infrastructure of services in the country and it underlined companies' intention to outstay the Empire and become part of the economic set-up of the soon to be independent states.