Shophouses: Our Heritage

Conservation of our heritage is very important in Singapore, perhaps this is one of the few ways to remember the past. Shophouses, both residential and commercial, are important building types in Singapore’s architectural heritage. Shophouses were designed traditionally a business and dwelling unit with a narrow frontage. My journey on foot took me to places I’ve never knew they existed in Singapore. Shophouses are pretty much located everywhere here. Emerald Hill, Tanjong Pagar Road, Chinatown, Beach Road, Joo Chiat Road, Club Street, Kitchener Road, Katong, etc. Do you know that shophouses from say, Katong are very much different from shophouses situated in Club Street? There are many architectural styles influencing the design of shophouses, to name a few; Early, First Transitional, Late, Art Deco, Rococo, Edwardian, Neoclassical and Modern. Here’s a quick guide to identify shophouses.

Even windows belong to different types of style period. The Katong Shophouses clearly have a strong Peranakan influence while Club Street Shophouses have an electric mixture of Modern, Art Deco and Transitional styles. Each walkway (around 5-foot width), windows, tiles and colours have a story to tell. Below shows shophouses of the same area in different period of time. Pastel colours were used with little differentiation of individual houses (not to forget huge shop names were craved onto the pillars for easy identification). Now, shophouses are given a new lease of life with fresh coats of vibrant colours, the intensity that somehow reflects their importance, unwilling to let passers-by forget their existence.

There are a few interesting dwellings that are hidden along the streets of Katong. The Rococo-styled shophouses along East Coast, built well into 1930s, are very much similar in style from those in Little India. From the facade, they are highly decorative and vibrant in colours. Of course, Rococo was a highly decorative style in the 18th century architecture where a lot of motifs like coral and foliage were used along window frames. Turning into a small road along East Coast Road lies a row of single-storey terraces known as ‘barrack houses’. A flight of stairs leads to the main living floor, a typical style seen in Anglo-Malay bungalows. If you peep under the stairs, you can see that there are spacious living spaces at the basement.

Barrack houses on East Coast Road (Katong).

Shophouse along East Coast Road (Katong). Peranakan Style with Malay-style tracery.

Row of Modern style residential terrace houses along Cheow Keng Road (Katong).

Shophouses along Purvis Street (Bugis).

Electric mixture of Modern, 1920s Chinoiserie shophouses along South Bridge Road (Chinatown).

Row of shophouses along South Bridge Road (Chinatown).

Different styles of shophouses along Club Street.
Mixture of styles of shophouses in Singapore.

Colours in Chinese architecture are meaningful. While red, blue and green are considered auspicious, the Peranakan Chinese grew fond of green for their porcelain and architecture. Today’s shophouses have been transformed, serving many purposes such as clan associations, coffeeshops, living spaces, boutique hotels and temples. Took a lot of pictures while walking around. The architecture is simply breathtaking. There are a few good reads about Singapore’s shophouses in the library which I highly recommend to those who are interested in learning more about our heritage. If you have time, also check out the tours organised by The Original Singapore Walks. (http://www.journeys.com.sg/singaporewalks/index.asp). Personally, I have never been on their tours but their itinerary sounds interesting and  I would love to go for one. The world of shophouses is limitless, be sure to look out for one when you walk around Singapore. STSG

**All pictures are taken by the author of smalltalesofsg. Be sure to give credits when you use them. Million thanks! **