The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is an international financial institution that serves as a bank for central banks, fostering international monetary and financial cooperation. Founded in 1930 and headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, the BIS provides a forum for discussion, policy analysis, and data sharing among central banks and financial authorities. It also conducts research and offers banking services exclusively to central banks and international organizations. The BIS operates from multiple locations, with its main offices in Basel housed in two notable buildings that reflect different eras of institutional and architectural development.
BIZ-Turm
The BIS Tower was completed in 1977 and serves as the institution’s main office. It was designed by Swiss architect Martin Burckhardt and has height of 69 meters, with 19 floors above ground. The cylindrical structure is located adjacent to Basel’s central railway station and was constructed to accommodate the growing administrative and operational needs of the Bank for International Settlements. The building features a concrete frame with a curtain wall façade consisting of glass and metal elements. Its circular plan maximizes floor space efficiency and facilitates internal circulation.
BIZ-Turm
BIZ-Turm
Located on the first floor, the main auditorium is equipped with simultaneous interpretation facilities to accommodate multilingual meetings.
main auditorium
staircase leading to the first floor
staircase leading to the first floor
Botta Building
The Botta Building, located at Aeschenplatz 1, was designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta following a 1986 competition for the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS). Completed in 1995, the six-storey structure features a cylindrical form with two-tone striped natural stone walls and a distinctive 'negative staircase' opening in the façade. In 1998, UBS sold the building to the BIS, which undertook extensive internal renovations before relocating some of its services there in 1999.
Bank für Internationalen Zahlungsausgleich - Botta Building
Bank für Internationalen Zahlungsausgleich - Botta Building
Bank für Internationalen Zahlungsausgleich - Botta Building
Bank für Internationalen Zahlungsausgleich - Botta Building
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