Shino Portuguese buildings in old Phuket city are a blend of architecture influenced from aboard. The building structure and utilities are made to compliment Chinese principles, but then decorated both inside and outside in Western styles.The buildings are narrow but deep, this follows the Dutch influence , the tax collected depends on the width of their buildings by the road.The front part of the second floors stick out more than first floors with arched top windows all the way down to the floor. The top of the windows are decorated with adjustable wooden louvers in order to see the life outside.The window edge and column are decorated in Western Chinese designs. NgorKaKee or the arcade in front of commercial buildings are Dutch influenced, but its width was influenced from England through Singapore for protection sun and rain.Chinese style doors are in front of the house with windows on both side and Chinese style vents are on top of both windows. Signs of family names or names of original villages in China are then hung above by the owner of the houses in order to tell their relatives of their location. On top of the windows are decorated arched half circles and point of stars are perforated on the loophole, which was fashionable during the Neo-classic era in England.The buildings are also decorated with some auspicious things according to Chinese ideology, like Chinese letters, nature drawings or flowers and leaf drawings and some animals, cloud patterns mean good luck and achievement.Perforated designs were influenced by English wooden summerhouses in the countryside, but owners in Phuket would adapt to bricked buildings. Traditional Phuket houses would have artesian wells under the skylight area in the middle of the house in order to get light and ventilation. Apart from having cool houses, breezes and rain also symbolizes money and gold flowing into a house.The continuous rows of semi-commercial and residential buildings are influenced by Portuguese. The people collaborate to preserve and maintain the architecture buildings, keeping the unique style. The Old Phuket Town has drawn many tourists and feel to appreciate spirit of true Phuket culture. The Chinese and European or the Shino Portuguese influence of architecture in a unique style. It was first introduced to Phuket in the early 20th century during Governor Phraya Rassada Nupradit’s reign. At the time Phuket was booming in trading business with Penang. The Shino Portuguese style designs were also brought into the island. The buildings were also influenced by Portuguese, Dutch, British and Chinese arts, which can be categorized into 3 types: The first one is public or office buildings built with thick brick walls, patterns influenced from Neo-classic and Roman Age type of architecture.The second type is shophouses which vary in style and detail, but share common special shaded walk-ways in front of their buildings.The walk way is 5 feet wide connection all the buildings together under its shade to protect pedestrains from the tropical sun or rain with airy arched spaces.The high roofs are covered with earthenware, with windows and doors downstairs decorated with Chinese Style, and upstairs, windows are decorated with stucco or moulded lime.The third type, the European mansion. Spacious two storey buildings are decorated similar to shophouses.These add outstanding uniqueness in their value, worth conserving for generations to come.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Aug 2013 19:02:31 +0000
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