Singapore Chinatown Shophouse (Residential)

[Erik Zwaan]

While on vacation in Singapore back in 2015, I discovered two paper models of traditional Chinese shophouses. The models were designed by the local publisher Paperbricks and are of a very high quality. Each model consists of a block of three units; one representing commercial use (shops) and the other residential housing. I built the shops in 2015 (Singapore Chinatown Shophouse) and now it’s time to complete the other model. It is not very complicated and a nice break from the overly detailed (but very enjoyable) aircraft….

Shophouses can still be found in many areas in Singapore these days, as the city-state is more than shiny high rise alone. In the seventies and eighties, the city underwent a major make-over and a lot of older buildings were demolished to make way for progress. However, as much as practically possible early twentieth century buildings were kept and restored. Interestingly, you can find restored shop houses on the one side of a street whereas the other side consists of modern buildings of a completely different magnitude. The contrast between old and new is fascinating.

My wife was born and raised in Singapore and lived her early childhood in a residential shophouse in Geylang, an area east of the city center. Over the years we visited the street several times and the area underwent several renovations. It is now an official heritage area.
At one time the house was owned by a photographer, and we met him on the doorstep of the “pintu pagar” (half open doors). We explained who we were, and he kindly invited us to have a look inside. Wow, what a beautiful place, and my father-in-law was delighted to see that the floor tiles were still the same as back in 1980. Also, we met former neighbors from across the street and they also invited us to come in and have a look in their houses. It was like entering a different era and the spontaneity of the people was heart-warming.

In any case, let’s not bore you any further with this history. The model I’m going to build is a typical example of so-called late style shophouses, which were built between 1900 - 1940, and very much similar to the house my in-laws used to live. Later shophouses were influenced by Art Deco style and moved away from the traditional Chinese and Malay influences.

In the pictures you can see the build-up of the ornamented front façade, with its semicircular transoms and elaborately decorated pilasters on the first floor.

Erik

[Don Boose]

A beautiful model and a great story, Eric. Certainly not boring at all.

I have never visited Singapore, but have an interest in East Asian architecture (and culture generally) and very much enjoyed hearing about your and your wife's personal connection to these attractive buildings.

I also appreciate the many images of the instructions and of your construction, which is up to the same extraordinary standard as your aviation and railway modes.

Many thanks.

Don

[Yu Gyokubun]

On business I used to travel many cities of South East Asian countries except Brunei. I like those cities bustling with people and traditional buildings.
I look forward to your build.

[Michael Mash]

Your story and description of Singapore was excellent.
I’ll watch while you take a ……… “nice break from the overly detailed (but very enjoyable) aircraft….”

Mike

[Vermin_King]

Happy Birthday, sir

[Erik Zwaan]

Hello gents, thank you for tuning in and thank you for the birthday wish Vermin_King!

The traditional architecture in Southeast Asia is very interesting and the huge contrast between old and new is in a way "extreme" if you consider the modern high rise in places like Singapore (and for instance Kuala Lumpur, where I once lived a couple of years), set against the humble traditional buildings. I can look at pictures of Singapore in the sixties for hours, looking at a world that virtually doesn't exist anymore.

Anyway, going back to today, after finishing the facade things go fast as then the actual assembly of the walls start. Where considered necessary I reinforced the walls with thick cardboard. Nothing special to mention, it's all pretty straight-forward and the fit is very good.

To come back to the story of my in-laws, herewith also a few pictures of the street where they used to live (Lorong 24A in Geylang). Pictures were taken at night and the last one out of three, is the actual house where they stayed.

The next four pictures are shophouse that can be found at Emerald Hill, which is a side street of one of the most famous streets in Singapore, Orchard Road. Indeed, once a quiet rural road along orchard plantations and now a multilane asphalt runway lined with shiny high rise on either side. By speaking of contrast.....

The last pictures are fun stuff. It's amazing how the rear and sides of these houses are dotted with air conditioner units, and I love to stroll down the back alleys.

In the second last picture (taken from Ann Siang Hill, which is a view point in Chinatown) you can clearly see the contrast between old and new.

Next will be the roof and final details, and then finished.

Cheers,
Erik

[Michael Mash]

Fascinating story Erik.
Question: Why are there so many Air Conditioner units installed on the sides of those buildings?

[herky]

nice models , i was born and raised half my childhood days in singapore, dad was a ''bootneck""

[Viator]

Originally Posted by Michael Mash

Fascinating story Erik.
Question: Why are there so many Air Conditioner units installed on the sides of those buildings?

A good question.

I noticed the same in Japan. Even big, multi-flat buildings often have hundreds of individual Air/Conditioning units on the rooftop.
When I collected materials for my Japan diorama I found the answer on the Japan Mobility webpage:
"Central heating systems are used in large buildings, hospitals and other facilities in Japan, but are not commonly used in houses or apartments.
In Japan, the concept of heating/cooling the only room where the people are has taken root. Usually individual A/C units are installed in each room based on this concept. This means that each room has its own remote controller, so be careful not to mix up or lose these."
In addition, every tenatnt of a rental apartment and every owner of his own flat is responsible for energy saving and for his A/C unit maintaining and cleaning, so it is a matter of a housing fee system.

Is the same valid for Singapore?

[chris190]

Coming on very well Erik, a complicated muddle of air wells and rear accommodation to deal with behind the decorative frontages - looks as if it's an accurate kit too, makes life a bit easier!

The a/c unit photos are quite something, hadn't appreciated how they pile up on the backs of this type of building; absolutely no room inside for them and unbearable without! An Siang Hill is well worth searching out by the visitor, a very picturesque survival of old Singapore.

Best wishes

Chris