The State Bank Annex will soon house the first ever monetary museum in Pakistan, displaying coins, stamps, currencies and the history of the country in its galleries.

The old heritage building boasts old-school architecture and is in its original condition. The department of museum and art gallery, set up barely a year ago, has taken the charge of the renovation that is currently in progress. “The major work includes the erection of panels and galleries on the ground floor and also the renovation of the mezzanine floor,” disclosed the Director of the department, Asma Ibrahim.

According to department officials, the building will be preserved as it is without any change in the facade while the interior will be renovated. This will be completed by the end of this year. Ibrahim, who’s an architect herself and has been associated with the archaeological department for several years, says that the external walls of the structure are in original condition and therefore “the exterior doesn’t require much effort except a thorough wash and that too with plain water.”

However, she added that some areas are in need of a chemical wash, but she is of the view that chemicals can damage the structure, which is made of sandstone.

Unlike other museums in the city, Ibrahim says this one to be more interactive. To keep the museum interesting, she said that temporary exhibitions would be held on the main floor.

Citizens will be able to participate and display their collections in the museum as well. As an added benefit, an allocated space will serve as children’s activity room while an art gallery will be developed on the mezzanine floor, displaying artworks by Sadequain.

The State Bank annexe was built at the end of the First World War, when the Bombay (now Mumbai) government started laying emphasis on Karachi’s development.

Along with the opening up of new areas and planning schemes, several new buildings were designed for Karachi by the consulting architect’s office in Bombay. The Bank of India building was among those important structures that rose during the 1920s in the heart of Karachi’s mercantile centre.

The annexe was established in 1923 as the Bank of India and during different times, it has served different purposes. It was used as the State Bank library at one time and also served as the foreign exchange department office for several years.