Reserve Bank of Fiji

A defining feature of the Suva skyline, the Reserve Bank of Fiji remains a landmark in both architectural and engineering achievement. As Fiji’s first multi-storey commercial tower, the building set a new benchmark for urban development in the Pacific when it was completed - combining bold modernist form with highly technical functionality.

Designed to meet the stringent security and structural demands of a national vault facility, the building incorporates advanced protective measures, including integrated tsunami floodgates to safeguard its subterranean vaults - an innovation that was ahead of its time for the region.

What sets the Reserve Bank apart is its sensitive integration of Fijian materials and cultural expression into a contemporary commercial building. Fire doors were finished with laminated masi panels -traditional Fijian barkcloth - pressed into Formica to preserve both aesthetics and performance. The suspended ceiling system throughout the building was constructed using “first cut” Fijian plantation pine, elevating a local material into a refined architectural element.

In recent years, Architects Pacific was re-engaged to oversee the façade and porte cochère renovations—an honour that reflects our longstanding relationship with the institution and the enduring significance of this civic icon. These works have now been successfully completed, reinforcing the building’s relevance for a new generation while preserving its architectural legacy.