Joo Chiat Road Architectural Study by Francoise John Espares Ying

ARCHITECTURAL STUDY

Joo Chiat Road A s h l e y Kw a n , Fra n co i s e Y i n g

一二三

C ontents 四五六

Foreword

Introduction and History

Typology and Developments

Elements

Window Air Vent Ornamentation Columns & Pilaster Roof Five-foot Way Ethnic Influences

Contemporary Alterations

Unique Shophouses

Bibliography

Acknowledgement

Foreword This book seeks to study and understand the architecture of the shophouses along Joo Chiat Road, an area which used to be filled with coconut and cotton plantations and was once home to many Eurasian and Peranakan families. The study aims to investigate and understand the cultural influences on the styles and typologies of the shophouses, and how the shophouses have evolved over time, in terms of their looks and functions. The book will look into the history of the development in Joo Chiat, the architectural elements within the area, the ethnic influences on the architecture and the contemporary alterations of the shophouses. It features learning from an academic module titled “Overseas Chinese Architecture and Settlement” from the Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore, under the guidance of Professor Chen Yu. Photographs in this book are predominantly taken by the authors Otherwise, the sources of the images are indicated in the caption.

Joo Chiat Road in the early days (Source: Philip Chew)

一 Introduction and History Joo Chiat area was named after Chew Joo Chiat who bought over a large portion of land in the area in the 1900s before selling them back for residential and commercial purposes. Joo Chiat Road (previously known as Confederate Estate Road) is an arterial road and a conservation zone within the area. The area has transformed drastically since the 1800s where it used to be a coconut and cotton plantation area before being populated by Eurasians and Peranakans in the early 1900s when more people seek to relocate to less populated areas in the east of Singapore. After the Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1945, commercial and entertainment activities began to sprout in Joo Chiat, along with several upgrade in developments. In 1991, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) gazetted 518 Joo Chiat buildings for conservation. And in July 1993, Joo Chiat was designated as a conservation area. The National Heritage Board classified Joo Chiat as Singapore’s first Heritage Town in February 2011.

H I STO R I C A L T I M E L I N E O F J O O C H I AT (PRE-WAR)

1905

1820s The area was filled with coconut and cotton plantations. The main buildings were colonial bungalows and country houses built for the affluent, as well as many kampong (village) houses.

(Source: National Archives Singapore)

An electric tramway line was built between the Joo Chiat-Changi Market (currently known as Joo Chiat Complex) and Tanjong Pagar.

1900s Residential population increased with Catholic churches and schools being set up, attracting Eurasians into the area. Also, the rise in Peranakan families settling in Joo Chiat increased the presence of Pernakanstyle shophouses. (Source: Philip Chew)

1920s

(Source: Philip Chew)

1917 In the early 1900s, Chew Joo Chiat amassed a large area of land in the Katong/Joo Chiat area, earning him the title of “King of Katong”. By 1917, Chew agreed to allow Joo Chiat Road (formerly known as Confederate Estate Road ) be used for public.

Transport infrastructure improved in Joo Chiat district and the area was served by several bus companies. There were other modes of transportation such as trishaws and taxis too

1920-1940s

(Source: roots.sg)

The Chew family sold off land lots for residential and commercial purposes. The roads in Joo Chiat were taken over by the Rural Board, then the Municipality.

H I STO R I C A L T I M E L I N E O F J O O C H I AT ( P O ST- W A R )

1980

1942-1945 The Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1945 suspended developments in Joo Chiat.

(Source: Joo Chiat a living legacy)

More developments increased while kampong (villages), stilt houses, and holiday bungalows, which were once common in Joo Chiat, had all but vanished by the 1980s, or existed only as isolated specimens.

1950-1970s

(Source: roots.sg)

Commercial activities such as shopping malls and department stores began appearing, while theaters and other forms of entertainment, such as bars and pubs, began to appeal to the rising population.

2000s

(Source: Joo Chiat a living legacy)

Joo Chiat Road gained a sleazy reputation in the early 2000s as a result of a cluster of nightclubs, hourly-rate hotels, karaoke bars, and massage parlours. In the late 2000s, the clean-up of Joo Chiat and growing interest in the area’s heritage spurred a new round of redevelopment. Art museums, design studios, upscale retail shops, boutique hotels, and cafés sprouted, and a number of shophouses were refurbished and new condominiums were developed.

(Source: NLB, Singapore)

2011

1990s

(Source: URA)

The Urban Redevelopment Authority gazetted 518 Joo Chiat buildings for conservation in 1991. These were mostly two-story shophouses and terrace houses in Transitional, Late, and Art Deco styles. In July 1993, Joo Chiat was designated as a conservation area.

The National Heritage Board classified Joo Chiat as Singapore’s first Heritage Town in February 2011. The grant supported the development of heritage and community activities in the area.

JO O CH IA T RO AD

Early Style First Transitional Style Late Style Art Deco Style Second Transitional Style Modern Style Colonial Bungalow Non-shophouse E

T AS

二 Typology and Developments The architectural styles along Joo Chiat Road are quite diverse, many with Peranakan influences due to its history of being an area which housed many Peranakan families. Many of the conserved shophouses in Joo Chiat are mainly two-storey shophouses and terrace houses of the Transitional, Late and Modern architectural styles. Colonial-style architecture can be seen in the design of the heritage bungalow conserved in the area. The majority of the activities within Joo Chiat Road are commercial, with several residential developments with commercial on the ground floor.

(THIS PAGE, Fig. 2.1) Art Deco Style, 428 - 436 Joo Chiat Road. (NEXT PAGE, Fig. 2.2) Modern Style with Peranakan decorations, 352 Joo Chiat Road.

(THIS PAGE, Fig. 2.3) Late Style with Peranakan tile decorations, 316 - 318 Joo Chiat Road.

(THIS PAGE, Fig. 2.4) Modern Shopflat with building setback for vehicular access and open space vertical parking, 459-467 Joo Chiat Road.

(TOP, Fig. 2.5) Colonial Bungalow that is renovated into a European bar and restaurant with a terrace, 382 Joo Chiat Road. (BOTTOM, Fig. 2.6) An example of a colonial bungalow in Joo Chiat before renovation. (Source: Lee Kip Lin, National Library Singapore)

(THIS PAGE, Fig. 2.7) First Transitional Style with colonial black-and-white inspired painting on the facade, 369 Joo Chiat Road.

Shophouse Width KO

JO O CH IA T RO AD

< 5.0m 5.0 - 6.0m > 6.0m Non-shophouse

Shophouse Depth KO

JO O CH IA T RO AD

< 20m 20 - 30m > 30m

Non-shophouse

J O O C H I AT R O A D ( W E S T E R N S I D E )

Second Transitional (125 E Coast Rd)

Second Transitional (452 - 462)

Colonial Bungalow (382)

Modern (328)

Modern (450)

Late (370 - 374)

Non-shophouse (322 - 326)

First Transitional (440 - 448)

Non-shophouse (368)

Late (320)

Modern (438)

Late (366)

Late (318)

OVERALL

Art Deco (428 - 436)

Second Transitional (416 - 426)

Early (406 - 414)

Late (364)

Late (354 - 362)

Modern (352)

Modern (340 - 350)

Late (314 - 316)

Late (312)

Late (310)

Modern (302 - 308)

J O O C H I AT R O A D ( E A ST E R N S I D E )

Late (291)

Early (329 - 331)

Modern (393 - 397)

Late (301 - 309)

Early (333)

Modern (437 - 443)

Early (311)

Early (313)

Modern (337)

Non-shophouse (451)

First Transitional (357 - 363)

Modern (459 - 467)

Late (471 - 473)

OVERALL

Early (315)

Early (317)

First Transitional (369 - 371)

Late (477)

Early (319 - 321)

Non-shophouse (381)

Early (479 - 481)

Early (473)

Early (323 - 327)

Non-shophouse (387)

Late (131 E. Coast Rd)

Developments KO

JO O CH IA T RO AD

Civic and Community Institution Commercial Residential with commerical at 1st storey

(TOP, Fig. 2.8) Strength and conditioning gym - The Strength Yard, 369 Joo Chiat Road. Fitness clubs are quite a common sight in Joo Chiat Road today. (BOTTOM, Fig. 2.9) C Cafe, 477 Joo Chiat Road. Cafes are another popular commercial development along Joo Chiat Road.

(TOP, Fig. 2.10) The Black Earth Art Musuem, 352 Joo Chiat Road. It is a museum which specialises in oriental art such as Chinese calligraphy. (BOTTOM, Fig. 2.11) GG KTV Nite Club, 371 Joo Chiat Road. KTV night clubs are rare in Joo Chiat as there is strict development control within the area that limits the amount the karaoke bars and nightclubs which once gave Joo Chiat a sleazy reputation in the early 2000s.

(THIS PAGE, Fig. 2.12) Residential developments within shopflat typologies. First floor would be dedicated for commercial activities while the upper floors would be for residential activities.

三 Elements The study of the various elements allow for a deeper study of the various shophouse characters and can further lead to an understanding of various ethnic influences. Across Southeast Asia and between Chinese communities, shophouses share similar identifiable elements. These include the first and upperstorey windows, roof and roof tiles, five-foot-way, ornamentation, doors, back alleys, and air vents. Depending on the development history of the shophouse, the use of and design of the elements may vary across shophouse lots.

I. Windows The windows of a shophouse are typically timber windows of casement design, or transom design. Transom windows are typically either flat-arched, semi-circular, or rectangular infilled with framed glass. Early windows consisted of shutters, which would be closed or opened for privacy and ventiliation, with louvres that could filter daylight and airflow. Old doors were usually painted or coated to create protection and for aesthetics. Up to the 1920s, windows were typically made of timber frame, infilled with louvres and were rarely glazed. The use of glass in shophouses was limited to the wealthy and other civic buildings. They were applied in areas such as toplights, for lighting deep rooms, and feature windows.

Timber french windows, with louvred timber panels

2 upper-storey windows

Internal balustrades

EARLY STYLE

(TOP, Fig. 3.1.1) Early style timber windows with rectangular lattice transom, 406 to 414 Joo Chiat Road (BOTTOM LEFT, Fig. 3.1.2) French windows with internal balustrade, 311 Joo Chiat Road (BOTTOM RIGHT, Fig. 3.1.3) Tripartite arrangement of timber windows with glass panel infill and air vents, 479 to 481 Joo Chiat Road

Timber french windows, with louvred timber panels

Internal or external balustrades Decorative panel 2 upper-storey windows

FIRST TRANSITIONAL STYLE

(TOP, Fig. X) Early style timber windows, 406 to 414 Joo Chiat Road 2.1

(TOP LEFT, Fig. 3.1.4) Tripartite arrangement and timber louvre transom - a key tropical design feature, 357 to 363 Joo Chiat Road (TOP RIGHT, Fig. 3.1.5) French windows with internal balustrade painted red, 311 Joo Chiat Road (BOTTOM, Fig. 3.1.6) French windows with internal balustrade and glass panels, 315 Joo Chiat Road

Ornamentation and carving Timber windows

Tripartite arrangement, minimal wall for ventilation

Secondary pilasters

Ground floor window facing five-foot-way

LATE STYLE

(TOP, Fig. 3.1.7) Tripartite arrangement with glass lattice transom and central french window, 354 to 362 Joo Chiat Road (BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT, Fig. 3.1.8, 3.1.9) Ceramic tiles used on secondary pilasters and on the relief panels, 314 to 316 Joo Chiat Road

Decorative panel

First story window facing five-foot-way

SECOND TRANSITIONAL STYLE

(TOP, Fig. 3.1.10) Open-work carving transom with bold moulded plaster architrave around casement windows, 416 to 426 Joo Chiat Road (BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT, Fig. 3.1.11, 3.1.12) Window transoms, french tripartite arrangement windows with moulded plaster architrave, and secondary pilasters (left), 452 to 462 Joo Chiat Road (right) and 125 East Coast Road

Geometric design of windows and other elements

ART DECO STYLE

(TOP, Fig. 3.1.13) Casement windows with glass panels and timber frames, 428 to 436 Joo Chiat Road

II. Air Vents Vent blocks of various materials - typically cement, glazed terracotta, ceramic and concrete are found on the front and rear elevations of shophouses. As a tropical country, the use of vent blocks allowed natural ventilation to flow through the space, providing cooling and air circulation. Certain vent block designs have taken inspiration from Chinese motifs, such as floral and geometric patterns.

(BESIDE, Fig. 3.2.1) European style oculus which functioned as a ventilation hole in the tropical context but functioned as a window in Europe

(BESIDE, Fig. 3.2.2) Glazed terracotta ornamental vent tiles used as decoration and for natural ventilation, with Chinese motifs originating from south China, 479 to 481 Joo Chiat Road

(BESIDE, Fig. 3.2.3) Steel ornamental vent blocks used as decoration and for natural ventilation, 357 to 363 Joo Chiat Road

(BESIDE, Fig. 3.2.4) Concrete vent blocks used as for natural ventilation in tropical setting, found in modern shophouse style as precast elements became more common, 459 to 467 Joo Chiat Road

III. Ornamentation Following the Early style shophouse years, ornamentation on the facades of the shophouse became more common, likely as the overall economic prosperity of the country increased. Craftsmen were also becoming increasingly skilled and were able to emulate more elements throughout the shophouse, influnced by the various ethnic cultures. The ornamentation of the shophouse can give an idea about the owners of the past and the year of construction.

Cornice and dentils Fretwork fascia boards

Plasterwork ornamentation

Decorative festoons

Plaster relief panels (stucco)

Ceraminc dado tiling

Fretwork fascia

3.3.1

3.3.2

3.3.3

3.3.4

3.3.5

(THIS PAGE & PREVIOUS PAGE, Fig. 3.3.1 to 3.3.5) Fretted fascia boards, painted in different colors by the owners after renovation. They are adopted from the Malay traditional house and placed below the roof line, protruding in front of the facade to prevent rain from dripping on the facade. There are a variety of shapes, some more elaborate than others.

Cornice and dentils

3.3.6

3.3.7

(TOP, Fig. 3.3.6, 3.3.7) Cornice and dentils, which are commonly found on Rococo-inspired shophouses. Despite being in the same row of shophouses, the cornice and dentils vary in design and color, with certain dentils displaying floral patterns, or geometric shapes. These elements were likely European inspired.

Decorative festoons

3.3.8

3.3.9

3.3.10

(TOP, Fig. 3.3.8 to 3.3.10) Decorative festoons are dynamic plaster elements made of floral and frui designs. They are commonly found above the upper-storey windows, adding dimension and depth to the facade. Festoons are also accompanied by the oculus, otherwise known as a vent block in the tropical context for ventilation purposes. Despite being European elements, they have been interpreted in local ways- some with Chinese characters (middle).

Relief panels

3.3.11

3.3.12

(TOP, Fig. 3.3.11, 3.3.12) Plaster panels on the upper-storey of the shophouse are visibly Chinese inspired, with designs that are also commonly found on the porch panels of Chinese temples in Singapore. The panels typically have scrolls, brushes and books, representing the four arts of a Chinese scholar.

(TOP, Fig. 3.3.13) Plaster panels and wall tile on the upper-storey of the shophouse, with a 4-piece cockatoo tile design and floral patterns. It is likely that these tiles have been imported from Europe, indicating the wealth of the owners back then. The use of these tiles, though uncommon in Joo Chiat, are also found in other areas of Singapore such as Bukit Brown Cemetery to decorate gravestones.

(TOP LEFT, Fig. 3.3.14) Glazed ceramic panels on the upper-storey of the shophouse are Peranakan-inspired, and can be found in other Peranakan shophouses of Singapore, such as in Cluny Court. The emerald color is typical of Peranakan tiles, with floral elements.

(TOP RIGHT, Fig. 3.3.15) Plaster panels and wall tiles on the upper-storey of the shophouse, which are comprised of a 4-tile arrangement and a peacock design. The tiles are possible imported from Japan, and have also been found in other areas of Singapore, such as in Bukit Brown cemetery as a decorative element to gravestones.

IV. Pilasters Columns at the front of the building form the five-foot-way which is characteristic of a shophouse and occasionally have other decorative elements such as the corbels. Pilasers are defined as columns attached to the wall on the facades and secondary pilasters are commonly found on the upper-storey facades, between the windows and typically do not serve any structural purpose. The design of the pilasters reflects the years in which they are constructed as well as give information about the past owners.

Pilasters

3.4.1

3.4.2

3.4.3

(TOP, Fig. 3.4.1 to 3.4.3) Pilasters refer to the columns above the first floor and secondary pilasters can be found on the upper-storeys, with a variety of designs and dimensions. For example, wall tiles are occasionally used as decorative elements on the pilasters (Top), or a more subdued design is used, with simple geometric borders (Bottom). Secondary pilasters typically break the facade into thirds and act as separations between the tripartite window arrangement.

(BOTTOM, Fig. 3.4.4) Types of Classical columns (“The 3 Orders”, n.d.)

The columns and pilasters in Joo Chiat are observed as a mixture of the doric, ionic and corinthian style columns as inspired by the Classical architectural styles. Ionic and corinthian columns and pilasters are most common in the Rococo-style shophouses, such as those seen in Figure X. Doric columns are more typical in the less ornamented styles, with simpler geometry and shapes.

V. Roof Roofs are pitched and completed with overlapping V-profile or flat natural color unglazed clay tiles that are set on wood battens and mortared together. The end tiles are often covered with a timber fascia complete with galvanised iron gutters and downpipes at the edge of the front and rear shophouse roofs. Most of the roofs are double-pitched roofs with a few having additions of a jack roof. Modern shophouses tend to have flat roofs instead.

Roof Tiles

(TOP, Fig. 3.5.1) Marseille roof tiles, 311 Joo Chiat Road. (BOTTOM, Fig. 3.5.2) Peranakan V-profile tiles, 313 Joo Chiat Road.

Roof Tiles

(TOP, Fig. 3.5.3) Romane roof tiles, 354 Joo Chiat Road. (BOTTOM, Fig. 3.5.4) Zinc sheet roof, 331 Joo Chiat Road.

Jackroof

(TOP, Fig. 3.5.5) Jack roofs are usually new additions in Joo Chiat Road, for example, the jack roof on 314 Joo Chiat Road.

Roof Forms

(TOP, Fig. 3.5.6) Single-pitched and single-fold roof, 131 East Coast Road.

(TOP, Fig. 3.5.7) Double-pitched roof due to rear block extension, 357 Joo Chiat Road.

Roof Forms

(TOP, Fig. 3.5.8) Single-pitched roof, 333 Joo Chiat Road.

(TOP, Fig. 3.5.9) Flat roof, 300 Joo Chiat Road, modern shophouse.

VI. Five-Foot Way A five-foot way is a sheltered continuous walkway found in front of the shophouses, and can be utilized for commercial purposes. The term relates to the corridor’s width, but a five-foot way could be narrower or wider. The breadth of the covered sidewalks is described as “five feet.” The sun and rain are shielded from pedestrians by the overhanging canopy, roof extension, or projected upper level on top of the five-foot ways.

JO O CH IA T RO AD

Less than five feet (<1.5m) Approximately five feet (1.5-1.6m) Non-shophouse walkway (>1.6m)

No shaded walkway

Typical five-foot walkway (1.5 to 1.6m)

0.60m

1.55m

(TOP, Fig. 3.6.1) Typical width of a five-foot way in Joo Chiat ranges from 1.5m to 1.6m. The widths of the columns range from 0.45m to 0.6m.

Narrow walkway (<1.5m)

0.60m

0.75m

(TOP, Fig. 3.6.2) Narrower walkways are typically found at areas which at the gable end of shophouses such as 131 East Coast Road.

Shopflat walkway (1.8 - 2.2m)

0.2m

1.55m

(TOP, Fig. 3.6.3) Modern developments along Joo Chiat Road would have wider walkways and slimmer columns. The picture above shows the walkway of a shopflat with a width of 1.85m and and column width of 0.20m.

External pedestrian walkway

0.60m

(TOP, Fig. 3.6.7) The external pedestiran walkway has a typical width of 1.60m. (BOTTOM, Fig. 3.6.8) Most modern developments usually have wider setbacks which become wide open spaces for pedestrians.

四 Ethnic Influences After studying the various shophouse elements, it is possible to identify the various ethnic influences which contribute to the unique character of the Joo Chiat shophouses. The various ethnic influences also contribute to a deeper understanding on the years which the shophouse was constructed, as well as in the particular styles. Due to the British and Japanese occupation, as well as the migration of various ethnic groups to Singapore, the study of ethnic influences can also indicate the history of the shophouse ownership, which resulted in the use of certain elements.

CHINESE INFLUENCES 1

Green-glazed Air Brick

A traditional Chinese functional element which is commonly found in Singapore’s Chinese-style shophouses. They are designed with traditional Chinese motifs, and the use of green-glazed ceramics can be found in the canopy’s stoppers and end pieces of the roof.

Green-glazed Canopy

Green-glazed canopies are typically found above the first floor of the shophouse and are another traditional Chinese architecture element which has been incorporated into the shophouse.

Plaster relief carving

A common decorative element of Chinese temples are also found in Joo Chiat shophouses, depicting traditional motifs such as scrolls and brushes with flowing ribbons.

Pintu Pagar

Fence doors which were typically found in the residential shophouses, which allowed home owners to leave their front door open while maintaining privacy in their home. Despite the Malay name, it is believed that this element was a Chinese influence, often being found in southern Chinese homes. In Joo Chiat, none of the original pintu pagars have been retained and hence cannot be found within the site of study. Archive images of Joo Chiat give evidence that pintu pagars were previously found at the residential shophouses.

4 Historical Image

Historical Image

5 73

MALAY INFLUENCES 5

Fretwork Fascia

Numerous shophouses feature Malay decorative fascia boards (or eaves), known as ‘tumpu kasau’ in Malay and were decorated with distinctive Malay patterns, known as ‘pucuk rebung’. The boards are typically below the edge of the roof, protecting the facade from the rain in tropical countries.

Wooden Window Carving

Intricate carvings in the panels above the windows, which come in several shapes - including rectangular, arched and straight-sided archs. The panel allowed for light and ventilation, with influence derived from traditional Malay window panels.

EUROPEAN INFLUENCES 7

Decorative Festoons

Festoons are European decorative elements which are typically found on the upper-storey facades of shophouses and depict garlands and flowers, adding dimension to the facade. Occassionally, they are also accompanied by cartouches.

Pilasters

Pilasters, commonly found protruding from the second-floor facade, are imitation of European columns and have been interpreted within local ways. They add interest and dimension to the shophouse facade, and often also include other ethnic influences, such as decorative tiles and motifs. The use of pilasters are most common in the Rococo style shophouses.

7 75

French windows

The French windows are influenced by European architecture, which is thought to be a style brought by the British during their occupation. They are typically full-length, covering the upper storey of the shophouse and were made of timber. Furthermore, innner balustrades are also common. Today, the French windows are modified with a second inner layer of glass, which is more suitable for the cooling of the interior through air conditioning.

European Tiles

The ceramic tiles were likely imported from Europe, possibly from the United Kingdom and Belgium and were used as decorative elements on the shophouse facade. They feature more Western motifs, such as parrots or cockatoos, unlike Peranakan tiles, which features more Chinese and Malay motifs such as floral elements. Peacocks were also common in European tiles.

Cornice and dentils

Below the roof lines, many of the Rococo-styled shophouses display European moulding cornices with decorative dentils, inspired by classical architectural elements. In the local context, many of the dentils display local motifs such as flowers or floral patterns.

PERANAKAN INFLUENCES 12

Peranakan Tiles

In the Straits Chinese style, the use of Pernakan tiles were more ubiquitous covering the five foot ways, dado tiling, facade panels and the interiors of the shophouse. In Joo Chiat, the use of Peranakan tiles are more conservative, typically only found on the facades as decorative panels.

Peranakan Roof Tiles

Terracotta clay tiles in ‘V’ shape which are typically found in Peranakan shophouses have a distinct red clay look, and are found in shophouses throughout Joo Chiat Road. They are weather resistant and suitable for the tropical environment in Singapore.

五 Contemporary Alterations Apart from on-site observations of current shophouse design, a further study of possible alterations can be done through a comparison between current and past photographs. Through time, alterations and renovations have been carried out resulting in perceivable changes to the facade, structure and other elements of the shophouse. These changes could be due to change in use, or change in owners, but common alterations include 4 to 5-storey extensions, change of doors and first-storey windows, change of facade color, etc.

354 Joo Chiat Road

(TOP, Fig. 5.1) 1 - Addition of window in the gable wall; (BOTTOM, Fig. 5.2) 2 - Raised platform above the curb

412 Joo Chiat Road

(TOP, Fig. 5.3) The current shophouse has an addition of a jacked roof. (BOTTOM, Fig. 5.4) The original shophouse had half-length windows on the first floor fixed with old-style iron security bars. The original Pintu Pagar was not retained.

370 - 372 Joo Chiat Road

(TOP, Fig. 5.5) Retention of most of the upper-storey façade, as well as one of the carved vents on the ground floor. Doors have changed to suit use, with retention of vent blocks. (BOTTOM, Fig. 5.6) Ground-floor had iron gates and windows with security bars, indicating the shophouse may have been more for residential use.

131 East Coast Road

(TOP, Fig. 5,7) New window was added to match the front facade upper storey windows. (Bottom, Fig. 5.8) Original building form without the additional window and tiled canopies.

六 Unique Shophouses Several shophouses along Joo Chiat Road are recognizably unique, with features and elements that are atypical to the overall facade, composition and material in comparison to its neighboring lots. Though the overall reasons may be unclear, it adds to the character of the shophouses rows and displays an individuality. In this section, the unique shophouses will be identified.

370 - 372 Joo Chiat Road

6.1

6.2

(TOP, Fig. 6.1, 6.2) 1 - Fretwork Fascia; 2 - Shorter height of pilasters and windows due to relief panels; 3 - Unique relief panel shape.

364 - 366 Joo Chiat Road

COMPARISON

UNIQUE SHOPHOUSE

(TOP, Fig. 6.3) 1 - Along the shophouse row with similar decoration, windows and style but changed the timber windows with stained glass to full casement glass window; 2 - Did not retain tiling; 3 - Retained vent blocks.

450 Joo Chiat Road

(TOP, Fig. 6.4) 1 - Mosaic like tiling for facade; 2 - Modern style windows.

313 Joo Chiat Road

(TOP, Fig. 6.5) 1 - Mosaic like tiling for facade; 2 - Modern style windows.

131 East Coast Road

(TOP, Fig. 6.6) 1 - End gable wall instead of the front facade of a shophouse; 2 - Added canopies to the window to match front facade.

Bibliography

Kildisheva, T., Edmondson, L., & Pasquale, J. (2021). Singapore Shophouse Walks: Joo Chiat, Katong, Geylang. Kildi Photo.

Davison, J., & Invernizzi, L. (2010). Singapore Shophouse. Talisman.

Li, T. L. (2007). A study of ethnic influence on the facades of colonial shophouses in Singapore: A case study of telok ayer in Chinatown. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 6(1), 41–48. https://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.6.41

Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). (1997). Conservation Guidelines Technical Supplement, Understanding the Roofs. URA.

Chew, Philip. (2018). My Chew Joo Chiat Story. https://mychewjoochiat.blogspot.com/

Acknowledgments We would like to thank Professor Chen Yu for her prompt feedback and guidance, without whom, the completion of this brochure would not have been possible. We also extend our gratitude to our classmates in AR5952I, who have greatly enriched our learning experience through cross-collaboration, and for their willingness to help.