io nal Knowledge is W

e r ve Your Built He
adi t isd ns rita
Tr om Co ge

Value Your Shophouse Style

Kaki lima
is a real
smart idea Selfish I want to Staircase Help! People
for our neighbour change to burnt upstairs cannot
weather. fenced it bigger signage. already! get out!
up !

You sold the

screen for
RM300. Now
Jangan you regret?
Let’s talk hmm.. kacau !
business. handsome !
$$
Stupid place to put
the air-con. So ugly
somemore!

Photos: Tan Yeow Wooi * Illustrations : Tang Yeok Khang

Papa, Mistake
catch my to cover
Oih! don’t aeroplane! up airwell.
block the
kaki lima.
Come in la! But he
I wait here. took so
long!
Wah! The
clothes dry So dark
so fast here. and damp!

Why you use

cement on the wall, I followed your
the water cannot advice and use John! Come
evaporate. lime plaster. in, come in!
Mr. Lee, long
time no see! Uncle, roller Aiya...I should
Everytime
shutter not
suitable for
Luckily I spent not have taken the
got visitor
have to open
house. money to repair easy way, replacing
the whole
thing! back. It has high the traditional
heritage value now, feature with ‘modern’
and very beautiful. industrial material.
Underground water Underground water

Produced and Designed by 2nd Edition (2013) Funded by 1st Edition (2011) Funded by Think City Sdn Bhd. Owner of Heritage Shophouse Owner of Modern Shophouse
All rights reserved 2013 Arts-ED welcomes any new research input
 Heritage Shophouse Features MELAKA & GEORGE TOWN
HISTORIC CITIES OF
THE STRAITS OF MALACCA

Features of a Shophouse “Southern Chinese” Eclectic Style

Shophouse Illustration : Tan Yeow Wooi

party wall
roof ridge
gable end

purlin wall cabinet

ceiling

column head stove

roof beam
under eave stepped
eaves How to Safeguard the “Heritage Values”
of Your Property:
low wall
room Historical Style Identify the historical period and
bressumer beam style of your shophouse in order to recover the authentic
ceramic air-vent features on the façade. (see inside page)
column Architectural Form Understand the division and use
granite/brick
carved front steps back-balcony in relation to ventilation and feng shui.
hall
wooden staircase Traditional Materials
traditional building materials (timber, stone, clay & lime)
granite paved and why they suit the environment in George Town.
granite edge
air well
Traditional Building Knowledge Get a trained
granite step internal drain conservationist, contractor or worker who knows how to
open drain source for traditional materials and how to build using
these materials.
drain outlet
air-vent

Visit George Town World Heritage Inc. (GTWHI) before you plan repair or restoration
work on your heritage building. For more info www.gtwhi.com.my | 04 261 6606
 s

Fa
t o
Hi of s
ç
ry

a de Heritage Shophouse Styles MELAKA & GEORGE TOWN

HISTORIC CITIES OF
THE STRAITS OF MALACCA

1790s... 1840s... 1890s... 1910s... 1930s... 1950s...

Good money Rubber boom makes
We are the from tin mining.
best artisan us Straits-born
We have to use I’m sending Taukeh, hari Yeah mate,
I pay for your from Canton! Chinese live like
other building you to school ini dapat 200 let’s build
trip, you work wealthy white man. Can’t wait to
material. Attap in England. pikul getah. some modern
houses for me now. buildings! apply what I’ve
catch fire learnt abroad.
again!
History

Cinema is the most

popular entertainment
in town.

Brick house is Look! Concrete

I want the style can be used to
good, don’t Tuan muda We can even
like my house in design curved
catch fire easily. balik belajar build vertical
China. building.
dari England. We just sunshade fins.
Good to make Only Chinese
our own bricks Welcome renovated our
artisans can
and tiles. back son! facade with
make Chinese-
tiles imported
style door. Father, I want my
from Europe.
I’m going house to have
to upgrade that Shanghai
our house. look.

“Early Penang” Style “Southern Chinese” “Early Straits” “Late Straits” Art Deco Style Early Modern Style
1790s-1850s Eclectic Style Eclectic Style Eclectic Style 1930s-1960s 1950s-1970s
1840s-1910s 1890s-1910s 1910s-1930s

: Tang Yeok Khang

Heritage Shophouse Styles

Shophouse styles research : Tan Yeow Wooi and Dr. Gywnn Jenkins * Photos : Tan Yeow Wooi *
Physical Appearance Physical Appearance Physical Appearance Physical Appearance Physical Appearance Physical Appearance
1-2 storeys (low) 2-3 storeys 2-3 storeys 2-3 storeys 2-3 storeys 2-3 storeys
Simple façade Chinese influence: Chinese influence: European influence: Art-Deco facade with
Chinese influence: door, air vents, gable end, air-well etc. air vents, gable end, air-well etc. availability of new building materials and
air vents, gable end, air-well etc. European influence: full-length European influence: horizontal lines structure driven by technological and
European and Indian influence: - Shanghai plaster wall finishing engineering developments
full width timber louvered shuttered Sunshade fins, metal-framed glass windows
windows & U/V-shaped terracotta roof tiles Metal-framed glass windows

Traditional Building Materials Traditional Building Materials Traditional Building Materials Traditional Building Materials

(These materials are applicable to all six shophouse styles)