ANALELE UNIVERSITĂłII

“EFTIMIE MURGU” REŞIłA

ANUL XIX, NR. 1, 2012, ISSN 1453 - 7397

Rozliani Mansor, Md Azree Othuman Mydin, Norazmawati Md Sani @ Abd

Rahim, Ruhizal Roosli, Hasnanywati Hassan

Classification of Inheritance Shop Houses in George

Town, Penang - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Shop house is an urban terrace house attribute of Asian towns from the
18th century which usually integrates a shop or business premise on the
ground floor whilst the family dwells on the upper level, providing both
ease and safety. The shop house might also be used entirely as dwell-
ing quarters. Shop houses are constructed in rows and each row is ar-
ranged in blocks enclosed within a grid of main roads, back lanes and
side roads. A shop house is usually two or three storeys high and is
long and narrow, sharing a party wall with neighbours on either side.
The Penang shop house is a ideal paradigm of a green building, using
materials that are locally obtainable such as lime, clay stone and timber
and suited to local geology and weather conditions. Shop houses also
possessing architectural characteristics such as air vents and air-well
that assist with natural ventilation and cooling. This paper will discuss
categories and styles of the shop houses in historic city of George
Town which can be divided into nine major groups.

Keywords: shop house, George Town, UNESCO, heritage, historic city

1. Introduction

George Town was founded in 1786 by Francis Light an English naval officer
and trader. From this humble beginning the town flourished as an original settle-
ment and serves as a city centre. Francis Light laid down the town in typical colo-
nial looks with rectangular blocks with 30 to 40 foot wide streets. Until now the
grid was never expanded and the city grew along radial arms that reached out to
grand spice and fruit plantations. In 1974 Francis Light listed the settlers by ethnic
groups in the new towns such as Chinese Chulias (Southern Indian), native Malays
(from Indonesia and Malay Peninsula), Siamese and Burmese, Arab, Burgesses and
Europeans. The booming economy attracted a lot of people from around the world.

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The trades usually involved textiles, rubber, tin and spices in which all of the trade
was done in the shop houses.
All of the ethnicity above contributed to the architectural wonders of George
Town landscape. They had been building the shop houses dating back 200 years
with the merge of Chinese, Malay, Indian and European. These building were
made in response to the local environment and weather. Chinese influence can be
seen from the courtyard plan, rounded gable ends and fan shape vents including
hard wearing plaster. The Europeans introduced French windows and decorative
plasterwork. The hot tropical climate calls for the contractor to build shelter from
the sun and rain. This decision led to the birth of five-foot walkways on the facade
of the shop houses.
Even during the 80’s most of small scale traders and manufacturers were run-
ning their business inside these pre war shops. The whooping 47% accounted for
all small traders and manufacturers whom in fact carry on their activities till now.
This paper aims to consider categories and styles of the shop houses in his-
toric city of George Town which can be divided into nine major groups. Each style
has unique architectural and decorative features which is representative of a di-
verse period in George Town’s history.

2. Shop Houses in the Historic City of George Town

The shop houses and townhouses in historic city of George Town can be di-
vided into at least seven or nine major groups but some of the designs were not
built in George Town. However all the designs were categorized based on their
facades and the period they were built in [1] and will be presented in the following
section.

a. Dutch Style 17th – 18th century

Dutch style is the most primitive category that can only be found in historical
city of Melaka. Thus type of shop house was initially built by the Dutch in the 17th
century; consists of one or two storey building came with a simple facade design.
On the whole, it focuses on the limited opening on the upper floor with centralized
door and two sides of window. The five foot way is not connected to the
neighbouring buildings and it has undisclosed access porch. Structurally the walls
are of Dutch brick and plastered with lime, while the roof structure is made from
timber.

b. Southern China Style 18th – Early 19th century

The Chinese population in Malaysia in general and predominantly in Melaka, is

from China. In Melaka they are notably known as Peranakan Baba Nyonya. The
Origin of this elite ethnic can be traced back to the Sultanate of Melaka when the
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first sultan married a princess from China. The Malaysian Chinese population is
descended from the immigrants from the southern provinces of China [2]. They
consist of several different clans including the Hakkas, Foochows, Hainanese, Teo-
chius and Cantonese. During the British period in the early 19th century, the Chi-
nese, who came to Malay Peninsula via Penang, Malacca and Singapore, were em-
ployed in tin mines and rubber estates. Some of them were hired in trades, as
craftsmen and skilled mechanics, while others worked in sundry shops as shop-
keepers [3]. Due to the discovery of tin fields between 1850 and 1870 in some
parts of Perak and Selangor states, plus the increasing demand for tin ore in tin-
plate industry in Europe; a large number of them drastically, drifted to work in tin
mines. The architectural tradition followed was a modified version of the “Chinese
National”. This is manifested in the symbolism of the ornaments that are used to
convey luck, directions, seasons, the wind and constellations. The fundamental
concept of design is courtyard, emphasis on the roof, exposure of structural ele-
ment and colouring their building, floor finishes and others [4]. Normally the struc-
ture on this type of shop houses are plastered with lime and the roof structure are
of timber. Figure 1 shows the façade view of shop house of Southern China style.

Figure 1. Facade view of shop house of Southern China style

c. Early Shop House

The early form of two storeys shop houses is built to the street edge with re-
cessed ground floor forming a pedestrian walkway, generally in detail and rela-
tively low in scale. This type of design uses a masonry dividing wall and normally
built with simple pitched roof. However, they are very particular in designing the
facade with a pedestrian walkway and consist mostly of timber construction with
continuous row of panelled or louvered shutters [5]. The facade is a means of fill-
ing the space between the two end walls. For the earlier masonry type, the upper
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beam was generally placed directly above the window opening, leaving no room
for frieze and exposed roof rafters forming an overhang and simple fascia board.
Normally, the upper floor facade is bordered by plain masonry pilasters at each
side and the ground floor has full width opening. Structurally, building of this style
incorporates masonry walls with timber upper floor and tiled roof

d. Early Transitional Style

The two storey structures are built to the street edge and incorporate a five
foot pedestrian walkway which is subsequently known as ‘five footway’ and is well
entrenched in the style by the middle of the nineteenth century. Expressive gable
ends to rows. Ornamentation is minimal with the upper consoles often enlarged
and decorated with floral motifs, simple decoration to the spandrel. Green glazed
ceramic vents) and plain pilasters [5]. The usual orders adopted are the Tuscan
and Doric. Upper floor openings, with a row of continuous timber shutters are
common. Cornices or horizontal mouldings along the beam make the structure ap-
pear heavy. Structurally, buildings of this style incorporate the use of masonry di-
viding walls with timber upper floor, tiled roof and timber beam. Figure 2 illustrates
the facade of shop house of early transitional style

Figure 2. Facade of shop house of early transitional style

e. Early Straits Eclectic Style

The transitional styles of buildings are relatively manifested in restrained use

of ornaments on its façade. Doors and windows remain predominantly timber
framed and shuttered although the use of glass in small plates on the shutters
later became common. Transoms are flat arched or semicircular unfilled with glass.
Vents are employed with an elegance of economy, architectural composition as
squares or diamond between windows [6]. Ground floor masonry walls have sym-
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metrical double doors, a pair of window and bat shape vents above. The style in-
corporates many of the features of the ‘grand’ classical style, reinterpreted and
adopted to suit the vernacular shop houses that may include pediments, pilasters,
keystones and arches. From the 1910’s, the use of reinforced concrete allowed
wide roof overhangs and more elaborate cantilevered concrete decoration (con-
soles). This style exhibits almost exclusively a bipartite elevation order, i.e. eleva-
tion with two windows. Structurally, buildings of this style incorporate extensive
use of masonry with the introduction of reinforced concrete lintels and beams,
timber upper floor and tiled roofs [6]. Figure 3 demonstrates the facade of shop
houses of Early Straits Eclectic Style

Figure 3. Facade of shop houses of Early Straits Eclectic Style

f. Late Straits Eclectic Style

This is the most spectacular style particularly in the use of ornamentation. The
tripartite arrangement of three windows on the façade reduces the actual wall
space to the minimum and provides maximum ventilation. In later examples, the
wall surface is replaced by columns or pilasters framing the windows. The con-
strained indigenous façade designs borrowed freely from the various ethnic tradi-
tions. Chinese panel frescoes are often combined with Malay timber fretworks that
fringe the cape of the roof. Brightly coloured ceramic tiles and plaster delicately
moulded into bouquets, festoons, plagues and other elaborate ornamentation bear
testimony to the artistry of the shop house builders [6]. The development of rein-
forced concrete in the 1910’s enabled large spans to be achieved and more elabo-
rate cantilevered details to be incorporated into facades. Structurally, buildings of
this style incorporate extensive use of masonry with first floor timber fenestration
and tiled roof. Figure 4 demonstrates the facade of shop house of Late Straits
Eclectic style.
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 Figure 4. Facade of shop house of Late Straits Eclectic style.

g. Neo-Classical Style

The Last phase of European Classicism of the late 18th and early 19th century
monumentality characterised by a sparing use of ornaments and strict use of the
Orders of Architecture. Studiously proportioned which sometimes incorporate por-
tico, colonnade and cupola(s) in the design [7]. Evidently, the style which was car-
ried through into the early 20th century was influenced by Anglo-Indian Architec-
ture through colonial British with East Indian Company which brought influences
practical to their tropical experience, which are typified by high ceilings, large
porches and painted in pastel or white finishing on exterior and interior walls that
can be seen in the colonial government buildings and bungalows for European
masters in all major cities such as buildings along Weld Quay. Most non-tropical
forms used is the Palladian system of neo-Greek column, pediments and fenestra-
tion, neo-Roman arches and domes, and Renaissance parapets, turrets, cupolas,
quoins, empanadas, surrounds, staircases and balconies.

h. Art-Deco Style

Art Deco is a decorative style widely used between the 1930’s and 1950’s. The
style is characterised by the use of straight lines (typically three parallel) arranged
either vertically or horizontally in conjunction with other geometric elements, creat-
ing a strong vertical or horizontal emphasis to the structure. A granulated render
adapted from and regionally known as “Shanghai Plaster” was introduced at this
time and was commonly utilised [7]. The exuberant classical decoration of earlier
style became much more restrained and in many cases was stripped completely.
Windows are arranged in groups rather than the typical three bays commonly ob-
served in the earlier shop houses style (casement shutters). Highlighting the date

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of construction on the facade of the building as well as the use of metal frame
windows is typical of this period of architecture. Structurally, buildings of this style
are or reinforced concrete masonry rendered or Shanghai plastered. Development
or reinforced concrete resulted in cantilevered sunshades and high pediment or
parapet wall. Figure 5 shows the facade of shop house of Art Deco style.

Figure 5. Facade of shop house of Art Deco style.

i. Early Modern Style

Following the development in western art and architectures from the end of
the 19th century to its pinnacles in the 1920’s and 1930’s, this Early Modern style
actually embraces a wide variety of movements, theories, and attitudes whose
modernity resides in a common tendency to repudiate past architecture. Walter
Gropius, Le Corbusier, Mies Van de Rohe were the important figures in the general
trend towards a radically ornamented, simplified approach to architectural style.
Built with reason, formed by character and the aesthetic quality of which came
from the simplicity and the abstract relationship of solid surfaces and large, clean
cut openings rather than from applied ornament or decoration. The trend soon
caught up in the country after the war [7]. Although in moving design away from
the quaint and craftsmanship, local influences were not disregarded but were
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adapted to form a unique modern style. Structurally, the buildings of this style use
reinforced concrete. Figure 6 demonstrates the facade of shop house of Early
Modern style.

Figure 6. Facade of shop house of Early Modern style.

3. Conclusion

This paper has presented the categories and styles of the shop houses in his-
toric city of George Town which can be divided into nine major groups. It can be
seen from the discussions that each style has distinctive architectural and
decorative features which is representative of a different period in George Town’s
history. These shop houses are perfect example of a green building, using
materials that are locally available such as lime, clay stone and timber and suited
to local geology and weather conditions. A shop house also possessing
architectural features such as air vents and airwell that help with natural
ventilation and cooling in a building.

144
 References

[1] Cultural Heritage action Team (2010) Penang shop houses

www.heritagegeorgetown , retrieved March 2012.
[2] Ahmad, A.G. Understanding Common Building Defects. Journal of
Majalah Arkitek, Vol. 16 (1), 19, 2004.
[3] Fels K., Tusa P. Penang’s Shophouse Culture., Places, Vol. Vol. 9 (1)
46-55, 1994.
[4] Bereton C. The Repair of Historic Buildings: Advice on Principles and
Method, 1991.
[5] Kamarul and Lilawati Sustainable Built Enviroment: Bridging Theory
And Practice, 2008.
[6] Md Kasim S.F Case study on Building Defect Subject: UTHM Old
buildings, 2008.
[7] Pambo Fernandez S. Factors influencing salt- induced weathering of
building sandstone , Phd Diss. The Robert Gardon University, 1999.

Addresses:

• Building Technology Master Student, Rozliani Mansor, School of Hous-

ing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang,
Malaysia, lyanie@yahoo.com
• Senior Lecturer, Sr Dr. Md Azree Othuman Mydin, School of Housing,
Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malay-
sia, azree@usm.my.
• Senior Lecturer, Dr. Norazmawati Md Sani @ Abdul Rahim, School of
Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800,
Penang, Malaysia, norazmawati@usm.my
• Senior Lecturer, Ruhizal Roosli, School of Housing, Building and Plan-
ning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia,
ruhizal@usm.my
• Senior Lecturer, Sr Dr. Hasnanywati Hassan, School of Housing, Build-
ing and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia,
hasnany@usm.my

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