Framed 2D Wood Veneer Artwork

“Shophouses” is a generic term of construction in which buildings are built contiguously, i.e. sharing party walls, forms blocks separated from each other by streets and back lanes. Normally, it is two or three storeys high, the first floor for commercial and residential for upper floors. The early shophouses were developed in the early 19th Century purely transitional adaptations to the tropical climate. Gradually intricate motifs were added on the facades to enhance the identity of the area. Kampong Glam was traditionally a Malay residential area. Little India & Chinatown were the hub of early immigrants of India & China, and Joo Chiat was where the Peranakan and Eurasian community were. However, the architectural style of the buildings were developed as:

The Early Shophouse – built within 1840 to 1900. The houses were constructed from local materials, mainly timber and attap with simple façade design
The houses along Arab Street is the typical style – represent Arab / Malay style in early year.

1st Transitional Shophouse – built within `1900 to 1940. The building style is more monumental in character, the elevations are more extravagant. There was a good time for Singapore and all reflected in the architecture of the period. The typical shophouses at Little India where the successful and wealthy Indian community were keen to leave the kind of lasting impression on the urban landscape. – represent Indian during 1900 years time

Late Shophouse style – Peranakan built within 1930 to 1960. Most of shophouses in Joo Chiat Road / Katong area was a predominantly Peranakan or Straits Chinese neighbourhood. Seen the quality of the surviving shophouses, it was where the area representative of Singapore’s emerging middle class at that time. The Shophouse @ Koon Seng Road of Joo Chiat is one of the example – represent Peranakan style in 20th century.

Late Shophouse style – Chinatown built within 1930 to 1960. This is one of Chinese – style towkay townhouses at Neil Road – represent Chinese in Singapore during 20th century