AGORE RD. NEW // HERITAGE
ASIAN ARCHITECTURE [ARC 2324] DOCUMENTATION STUDY: NAGORE ROAD TUTOR: MR KOH JING HAO NICHOLAS LAI KEN HONG TAN WEN YEE LINDA JOCELYN TAY SUAT YEE TEH XUE KAI
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CONTENT HISTORY OF PENANG STREET MAP PREFACE CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER
1 2 3 4 5
BACK TO SQUARE ONE TIME AFTER TIME HYBRID EARTHLY DWELLINGS AFTER BLACK
PENANG HISTORY AND TIMELINE
AS THE MOST POPULATED ISLAND IN MALAYSIA, PENANG ISLAND WHICH IS PART OF THE PENANG STATE TOGETHER WITH PART OF THE MAINLAND HAS AREA AROUND 293KM², LOCATED IN THE STRAITS OF MALACCA. THE WHOLE ISLAND SHARES THE SAME CULTURE AND HISTORY, HAVING IDENTICAL STRONG ARCHITECTURAL INFLUENCE FROM THE PAST.
THE PENANG SECRETARIAT BUILDING WAS OBLITERATED DURING THE WAR, RESULTING IN MANY OF THE ISLAND'S HISTORICAL RECORDS BEING LOST AND, CONSEQUENTLY, MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO COMPILE ACCURATE DETAILS OF PENANG'S HISTORY. THE BRITISH EVENTUALLY GAINED REPOSSESSION OF THE ISLAND IN AUGUST OF 1945, AFTER THE SURRENDER OF JAPAN IN THE WAR.
THE COLONIAL ERA
INDEPENDENCE
THE CHINESE NAVY LANDED ON THE ISLAND AND TRADE BEGAN BETWEEN PENANG AND CHINA DURING 15TH CENTURY. THE FAMOUS ENGLISH TRADER CAPTAIN FRANCIS LIGHT ARRIVED PENANG ISLAND IN 1786, BY THEN, THE ISLAND HAD BEEN LEASED TO THE BRITISH FOR MILITARY PROTECTIONS IN RETURN. THE ISLAND WAS RENAMED THE PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND AND IT BECAME A PENAL SETTLEMENT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 1790S, WHEN MORE THAN 600 CONVICTS WERE MOVED FROM THE ANDAMAN ISLANDS. THE ISLAND THEN BECAME A SEPARATE PRESIDENCY DURING THE NEXT DECADE AND CONTINUES TO BE THE HOME OF THE STRAITS SETTLEMENTS' GOVERNMENT AFTER MALACCA AND SINGAPORE WERE INCORPORATED INTO IT IN 1826. HOWEVER, THREE YEARS LATER, SINGAPORE WAS MADE THE SEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SETTLEMENTS' NEW CAPITAL.
IN THE AFTERMATH OF WWII, A GROWING NATIONALISM TOOK HOLD IN MALAYSIA AND BORNEO, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO ARMED RESISTANCE AGAINST THE BRITISH. IN AN EFFORT TO END THE INSURGENCY, BRITAIN RESPONDED WITH MILITARY AND POLITICAL ACTION. IT ATTEMPTED TO FORM A SINGLE GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR THE WHOLE OF THE MALAY PENINSULA, KNOWN AS THE 'MALAYAN UNION.' THIS WAS ADAMANTLY OPPOSED BY THE PEOPLE OF MALAYA AND EVENTUALLY LED TO THE FORMATION OF THE FEDERATION OF MALAYA.
WORLD WAR II PENANG WAS A BRITISH ISLAND GARRISON AT THE TIME OF WORLD WAR II AND SUFFERED MANY HEAVY AIR RAIDS. ON 17TH DECEMBER 1941, JAPANESE FORCES FINALLY GAINED CONTROL OF THE ISLAND. GEORGETOWN, THE CAPITAL, WAS DECLARED AN OPEN CITY AND ITS BRITISH OCCUPANTS WITHDREW TO SINGAPORE.
THE ISLAND, WITH THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, WAS GRANTED INDEPENDENCE IN 1957. ITS FREE PORT STATUS WAS TAKEN AWAY IN 1969 BUT, NONETHELESS, IT STILL DEVELOPS INTO ONE OF ASIA'S LARGEST ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING BASES OVER THE NEXT THREE DECADES. TODAY, TOURISTS CAN EASILY SPOT THE HISTORY IN PENANG, AS IT IS MARKED BY ITS PLENTIFUL COLONIAL BUILDINGS, FORTIFICATIONS AND OLD CHINESE SHOP HOUSES IN CENTRAL GEORGETOWN.
S T R E E T M A P //
PREFACE NAGORE ROAD WAS NAMED AFTER NAGORE, A TOWN IN NAGAPATTINAM DISTRICT IN TAMIL NADU, INDIA. THIS IS BECAUSE THERE USED TO BE AN INDIAN MUSLIM SETTLEMENT TOWARDS HUTTON LANE. NAGORE ROAD IS A LIFESTYLE DESTINATION WITH A MIXED USE OF RETAIL, ART AND CULTURAL, FOOD AND BEVERAGES AND ENTERTAINMENT AREA, INTERSECTING WITH JALAN BURMAH AND STRETCHING UP TO JALAN BAWASAH. NAGORE ROAD WHICH ALSO KNOWN AS NAGORE SQUARE AFTER ITS DEVELOPMENT BY SINGAPOREAN DEVELOPER IN 2013.
IT IS A DELIGHTFUL PLACE WHICH ALLOWS LOCALS AND FOREIGNERS TO REVEL IN THE AROMAS OF GOOD COFFEE AND FRESHLY BAKED BREAD, INDULGE IN BEAUTY TREATMENTS AND SPA, DINE-IN AT THEMED CAFES OR EVEN TAKING PETS FOR GROOMING PET CAFÉ. UNSURPRISINGLY, WITH ITS COLLECTION OF UNIQUE SHOPS, NAGORE ROAD OFFERS EXPERIENCE THAT CANNOT BE PICKED UP AT OTHER PLACES. THE PRECINCT IS A HYBRID OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPACES SHOWCASING THE HERITAGE DESIGNS OF OLD WORLD SUCH AS THE LITTLE SHANGHAI HERITAGE, AMIDST THE CONTEMPORARY SETTINGS OF A FUNCTIONAL LIFESTYLE GATHERING CENTER IN A DINING VILLAGE CONCEPT, HIGHLIGHTING A LIFESTYLE REPOSITIONING TO DELIVER DYNAMIC URBAN EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNAL SPACE FOR INTERACTION.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE PENANG HAS AN UNMATCHED ENSEMBLE OF STRUCTURES REPRESENTING VARIOUS PERIODS OF REGIONAL HISTORY. INDEED, NOT ONLY DOES GEORGE TOWN HAVE THE LARGEST NUMBER OF PRE-SECOND WORLD WAR SHOP HOUSES, IT ALSO HAS WELL-PRESERVED EXAMPLES OF URBAN STRUCTURES GOING BACK TO THE EARLY 19TH CENTURY.
THE HOUSES HAVE BEAUTIFUL FAÇADES WITH THEIR WALLS AND FIVE-FOOT-WAYS EMBELLISHED WITH FLORAL TILES IN THE NYONYA STYLE. ON THE UPPER LEVEL FACING THE STREET ARE THREE WINDOWS WHICH WERE PROBABLY OF WOODEN JALOUSIES, BUT HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH GLASS LOUVRES. PILASTERS AND ARCHES FRAME THE WINDOWS.
NAGORE ROAD IS LINED WITH STRAITS-STYLE DOUBLE-STOREY TERRACE HOUSES. MANY OF THESE, ORIGINALLY RESIDENTIAL, HAVE BEEN CONVERTED INTO RESTAURANTS AND FOOD AND BEVERAGE OUTLETS CALLED NAGORE PLACE AND NAGORE SQUARE. THOSE NEAR THE JUNCTION WITH BURMAH ROAD STILL RETAIN THEIR ORIGINAL SHANGHAI- PLASTER FINISHING.
THE BUILDING STYLE INSPIRED MOSTLY BY THE HERITAGE BACKGROUND AND IS RETAINED AND RENOVATED TO RECOVER THE AUTHENTIC FEATURES. NAGORE STREET IS TRANSFORMED INTO A HUB OF COMMERCIAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES CONNECTED TO THE PEOPLE AND ITS CULTURE WHILE REACTIVATING DOWNTOWN PENANG AS AN “URBAN LIVING ENCLAVE”.
CHAPTER BACK TO SQUARE ONE
// O N E APPRECIATES THE ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS, MATERIALITY ALONG THE STREET WHICH MAKE UP THE OVERALL APPEARANCE OF THE NAGORE
ornamented perspective
NICHOLAS LAI
The edgy lines juxtaposing the organic shaped ornamentation enhanced the fine merging of facade decoration of eastern and western continents.
ARTISTRY
JOCELYN TAY SUAT YEE
BACK THEN GOOD CRAFTMANSHIP WAS PRESENT WITHOUT ANY USE OF CRAFTING MACHINERY BUT MAN-MADE CARVING.
REPETITION
JOCELYN TAY SUAT YEE
THE REPETITION OF THE FACADE, COLUMNS AND ORNAMENTS IN THE BUILDINGS SHOW A STRONG ARCHITECTURAL SIGNFICANCE TO NAGORE ROAD.
abstractive support STEEL PILLARS OF THE ICONIC ‘NAGORE STREET’ GATE SIGNAGE ARE WELL CRAFTED WITH ABSTRACT FACES OF ANIMALS. LINDA
TAN WEN YEE
STAND OUT HEXAGONAL ORNAMENTED ROOF AS ONE OF THE SIGNIFICANT ELEMENTS THAT FOUND ON THE STREET.
GEOMETRY
TEH XUE KAI
THE FIVE FOOT WAYS ARE DECORATED WITH FLORAL TILES IN NYONYA STYLE WHICH IN LATE 19TH CENTURY WERE USED TO SHOWCASE THE PROSPERITY OF THE FAMILY BECAUSE IT IS THE PART OF THE HOUSE WHICH IS MOST EXPOSED TO THE PUBLIC. ALONG THE STREET, THERE ARE NO TWO HOUSES WHICH SHARE THE SAME MOTIVE FOR TILES, HOUSE OWNERS OFTEN COMPETE TO OUTDO EACH OTHER IN TERMS OF THE OSTENTATIOUS EMBELLISHMENTS OF THE FIVE FOOT WAYS.
TAN WEN YEE
fOOTPRINT THE COLONIAL TILES SHOW THE CONQUERING BY THE BRITISH AND TELL THE STORY SIILENTLY THROUGH ITS FADED COLOUR AND STAINS.
PEEK
TEH XUE KAI
NAGORE SQUARE‘S NAGORE MEWS, COMPRISING OF OLD EMPTY HERITAGE HOUSES, HAS NOW BECOME THE CANVAS FOR THE URBAN XCHANGE INTERNATIONAL STREET ART FESTIVAL, FEATURING ARTISTS FROM A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES TO PROMOTE THE EXPRESSION OF ARTS IN PENANG. MEANWHILE, THE STREET ART ACTS AS CATALYST TO REVIVE THE FORGOTTEN CORNER.
TAN WEN YEE
ISOLATION BLIND,GRILLED DOOR & WINDOWS SERVES AS THE GATE OF PRIVACY.
AWE INSPIRING
LINDA
A NEW RESTAURANT WHICH ROOF IS CARVED AND DECORATED, ADAPTING TO THE CULTURE AND STYLE IN THE AREA, WHILE WINDOWS MAINTAINED THE WAY IT IS.
CHAPTER TIME AFTER TIME
// T W O REFLECTS THE CHANGES NAGORE STREET HAD GONE THROUGH OVER THE PAST DECADES, AFFECTING THE ARCHITECTURE AND THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STREET
JOCELYN TAY SUAT YEE
BEAUTY UNDERCOVER
THE TRUE BEAUTY OF THE NAGORE SQUARE IS ITS HISTORY AND IS HIDDEN LIKE HOW THE SUN SHADES THE BUILDING.
CONSERVATIVE
TEH XUE KAI
UNLIKE OTHER BUILDINGS ALONG THE ROAD, THE STRAITS ECLECTIC-STYLE TOWNHOUSE AT THE JUNCTION OF NAGORE ROAD IS EXCLUDED FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OF NAGORE SQUARE, ALLOWING IT TO RETAIN THE SAME OLD FACE SINCE THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY WITH ORIGINAL SHANGHAI PLASTERS FINISHING.
DUSK TILL DAWN
JOCELYN TAY SUAT YEE
THE LADY WAITING FOR HER SPOUSE TO COME HOME FROM WORK IS EXPRESSED BRILLIANTLY BY THE ARTIST IN THE WALL PAINTING.
NO END TO
LINDA
AN EXTENSION THAT PROTRUDE OUT OF THE OLD BUILDING CREATING A CONTINUOUS AND CONNECTION WITHIN THE OLD AND NEW, EXTENSION IS SUPPORTED BY CARVED PILLARS.
BARE
LINDA
A LEFT OUT UNUSED BUILDING THAT IS STANDING ON SITE, BUT STILL REMAINED THERE AND ADDING THE AESTHETICS ON SITE.
aged security
NICHOLAS LAI
Antique door knob and lock are still well maintained and used in the shop houses in this street. It emphasized a sense that aged elements can still be well functioned in this modern era.
TAN WEN YEE
1919 THE OLD ,WORN BUILDING STANDING WITH ITS YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION PROUDLY ALOFT,VISIBLE UP AND DOWN NAGORE ROAD.
PONDER
TEH XUE KAI
THE FORSAKEN BUILDING BEHIND THE HAPPENING STREET HIGHLIGHTS THE CONTRAST IN VALUES OF BUILDINGS AS A RESULT OF DEVELOPMENTS. THE BUILDINGS SHARE THE SAME LOCATION BUT DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED CAUSED ONE TO BE ABANDONED WHILE OTHERS THRIVED.
DESOLATE
TEH XUE KAI
TIME PAST, MAN LEFT, THINGS WORE. THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE NAGORE MEWS IS ABANDONED FOR YEARS, THE BEAUTY OF THE REMNANT ITSELF IS ALL LEFT.
DISTINCTIVE THE CONTRAST IS OBVIOUS BETWEEN THE HOTEL AT THE BACKGROUND AND THE CAFÉ IN TERMS OF THE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE, BOTH REPRESENTING MODERNIST ARCHITECTURE AND EARLY STRAITS ECLECTIC ARCHITECTURE RESPECTIVELY. THIS REFLECTS THE UNIQUE VIEW ALONG THE NAGORE ROAD WHICH HAS TWO ROWS OF TRADITIONAL SHOP HOUSES SURROUNDED BY OTHER MODERN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS, FORMING A POCKET WHICH ACTS AS A FOCAL POINT FOR ACTIVITIES.
TEH XUE KAI
CHAPTER HYBRID
// T H R E E SHOWCASES THE RESULTS OF THE DEVELOPMENTS DUE TO MODERNITY AND GLOBALIZATION, INTERACTION BETWEEN LOCAL, WESTERN AND MODERN ARCHITECTURE
THE INCROSS A MODERN STYLE ARCHITECT FIRM CITING IN BETWEEN A ROW OF HERITAGE OLD BUILDINGS.
LINDA
GROUNDED UNITY
NICHOLAS LAI
The corridor of the shop houses in Nagore Road are decorated with ceramic tiles. The vibrant colored and patterned tiles juxtaposed with the concrete landings and brick columns.
URBAN-HERITAGE
JOCELYN TAY SUAT YEE
THE URBANITY THAT IS PROMOTED BY THE NAGORE ROAD BLENDS IN WITH THE BACKDROP OF THE URBAN PENANG CITY.
voided exhaltation
NICHOLAS LAI
Trees were planted at a recessed void that are flanked by rows of shop-houses. It encourages passer-by to look upwards, giving a sense of freedom and exaltation.
LIFE ON DEAD
JOCELYN TAY SUAT YEE
THE LIVELY GREENERIES BROUGHT LIFE AND ALSO ACCESSORIZED THE DEAD AND ABANDONED BUILDING.
TAN WEN YEE
GROWTH DEVELOPMENT OF SKYSCRAPERS OVER THE TRADITIONAL BUILDING SHOWING THE PROGRESSION OF MODERN ERA.
TAN WEN YEE
INTERMIX VIBRANT PAINT BRINGS NEW LIFE INTO THE STRAITS STYLE FOR A PRESENT APPREARANCE.
CEASELESS SHADE
LINDA
A PART CONTINUOUS ROW OF COLORFUL HERITAGE BUILDING CITED SIDE BY SIDE CREATING A SHADE OF VALUE. WHILE THE OTHER PART AT THE END REMAIN THE UNDERTONE COLOR.
ECLECTIC
TEH XUE KAI
ELEMENTS OF EUROPEAN ARCHITECTURE ARE INCORPORATED INTO LOCAL SHOP HOUSE FOR ORNAMENTATION PURPOSES. THE RICH ORNAMENTATION REFLECTS THE OPULENCE BY EMBELLISHING THE PILASTERS AND EAVES WITH STUCCO DECORATIONS.
REVIVE
TEH XUE KAI
THE NAGORE MEWS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION TO TRANSFORM INTO BARS AND CAFÉ, INTENDING TO CREATE A CENTRE OF GATHERING AND ENTERTAINMENT IN A DINING VILLAGE CONCEPT, REPOSITIONING OF A LIFESTYLE TO DELIVER DYNAMIC URBAN EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNAL SPACE FOR INTERACTION.
CHAPTER EARTHLY DWELLINGS
// F O U R CAPTURES THE PEOPLE AND ACTIVITIES WHICH MAKE THE STREET LIVELY
STROLLING ALONG
LINDA
TAKING DOGS FOR A WALK IS A COMMON ACTIVITIES IN THE STREET AREA, THE STREET IS NOT TOO CROWDED AND PET CAFES ARE AVAILABLE TOO.
in-significance
NICHOLAS LAI
A sign indicating specifically three types of two wheeled motor vehicles and a three wheeled motor vehicle’s parking bay. This gives an unique sense of welcoming to individual that comes to this street with different types of motor vehicles
HUSTLE & BUSTLE
JOCELYN TAY SUAT YEE
DESPITE THE BUSY CITY LIFE, PIECES AND ‘TILES’ OF MEMORIES WILL BE RECALLED WHEN PASSING BY NAGORE ROAD.
outlier in obedience
NICHOLAS LAI
Despite being homeless and alone, this man takes shelter at a corridor of one of the shop houses, indulged with the latest news.
AS WAS HIS WONT
LINDA
READING BOOKS OR NEWSPAPER IN THE MORNING IS A DAILY ROUTINE ACTIVITIES THAT WE CAN SPOTTED IN NAGORE STREET. ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA HAS BEEN INFLUENCED BY MANY DIFFERENT CULTURE SUCH AS SINGAPOREAN, CHINESE, INDIAN, MALAYSIAN LIFESTYLE.
alternative service
NICHOLAS LAI
The infamous cycle rickshaw, also know as ‘Beca’ in Malay term, still up for public transportation service along the streets of Penang.
TAN WEN YEE
ROOTS WHERE REUNION WITH THE HOME FELLOW BECOMES EASIER.
INTO A BLAST A JAPANESE RESTAURANT AND A JAPANESE MURAL ART THAT LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THE NAGORE MUSE, IT IS CLOSED DOWN DUE SOME FINANCIAL BENEFITS, BUT REMAINED THERE PROMOTING CULTURE AND ARTS.
LINDA
majesty in privacy
NICHOLAS LAI
Gated shop houses with front porch can be found here in Nagore Road. The steel gate and gold painted front door evoke a sense of protection upon wealth.
TAN WEN YEE
INHERITANCE THE CHINESE BELIEF OF HANGING RED CLOTH THAT BRINGS PROSPERITY IS STILL PRACTISED UNTIL TODAY.
TAN WEN YEE
MAKE ENDS MEET WHEN DAILY ROUTINE SUPPORT HER DAILY LIVING INCOME. SELLING BREAD TO LOCAL PEOPLE ALONG NAGORE ROAD.
DE路SPAIR DESPERATION IN ADAPTING THE CHANGE FROM RURAL TO MODERN LIFESTYLE.
JOCELYN TAY SUAT YEE
CHAPTER AFTER BLACK
// F I V E
DISPLAYS THE HAPPENING STREET DURING THE NIGHT TIME, WITH THE BAR AND CAFÉ START THEIR OPERATIONS
visual communication
NICHOLAS LAI
The unforseen ‘Little Shanghai’ title on a facade of one of the shop-house eventually becomes an eye-catching visual during the night.
NIGHT & LIGHTS
JOCELYN TAY SUAT YEE
THE ESSENCE OF THE BUILDINGS IS BRIGHTEN UP BY THE LIGHTS AND IS NOT FORGOTTEN BY THE CROWDS EVEN THE SKY TURNED DARK.
IN WITHIN
LINDA
STREET ARTS IS ONE OF THE SIGNIFICANT ICON IN THE STREET AREA. ALLEY WITHIN THIS TWO BUILDING CREATES A NICE AMBIENCE WITH NIGHT LIGHTS AND BARS ALONG THE ALLEY.
TAN WEN YEE
LUMIERE CHINESE LANTERN STRINGED ALONG THE NAGORE ROAD,CREATING A GLIMPSE OF CHINESE CULTURE IN THE AREA.
CONNECTIVITY
JOCELYN TAY SUAT YEE
THE CONTEMPORARY SETTINGS OF THIS FUNCTIONAL LIFESTYLE GATHERING AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER IN NAGORE SQUARE ALLOWS GATHERING AND INTERACTION BETWEEN THE PEOPLE TO OCCUR.
WARMTH
TEH XUE KAI
IN A COLD RAINY NIGHT, THE STREET LIGHT ILLUMINATES THE SHOP HOUSES, MAGNIFYING THE FACADES WITH THE STRAITS ECLECTIC STYLE FEATURES, GIVING A SENSE OF WARMTH VISUALLY.
ALONG THE AXIS WHEN THE NIGHT COMES, LIGHT’S ON, BARS OPEN. PEOPLE START COMING AFTERWARDS. BARS ARE MOSTLY OWNED BY YOUNG FRESH GRADUATES .
LINDA
RADIANT
TEH XUE KAI
THE NAGORE SQUARE, AS A RESULT OF THE DEVELOPMENTS OF NAGORE ROAD, BECOMES AN ATTRACTION SPOT OF GEORGETOWN, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO NIGHT TIME, THE WHOLE STREET IS SO HAPPENING, AS A FOCAL POINT OF THE TOWN WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LIGHTS HIGHLIGHTING THE ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS.
END