Whats Baba Nyonya Exterior and interior ?
(Source : Huislaw.com, 2017)
Baba Nyonya construction started in the early 20th Century, shophouses in the Straits Settlements began to adopt Western architectural styles with an emphasis on full-length French windows with a pair of full-length timber shutters, an arched or rectangular transom over the window opening, pilasters of classical orders; and plaster renderings.
A common feature of shophouses and the five-foot way was that the front room on the first floor (which was built over the five-foot way in the street below), would have a removable floor-section about the size of a drinks-coaster. This peep-hole was so that you could see what was going on in the street below, see who might be knocking on your front door, or who might be coming into the shop. (Throughout History, 2017)
The exterior of the building are beautiful due to the sophisticated facade on the wall and pillars , the design is influenced by the British during the colonisation . But most of the design are influenced from the chinese . Not to mention that , the carvings on the walls are very detailed.
(Huislaw , January 6 , 2016 )
Basically , Baba Nyonya are famous for chinese influence tiles an tiling . The features of Baba Nyonya house are , the party walls , they support the walls and roofs . It is place at the rise above of the roof , and prevent fire spreading.
(Source : Mypropertyguide.co.uk, 2017)
Fascia boards and fretwork , timber fascia and fretwork one the eaves , which shows the traditional malay architecture features .
(Source : mean? et al., 2017)
(Source : Mtc.com.my, 2017)
Facade decoration
-Decorative work is in tiles and plaster , very distinctive
decorative tiles (including Peranakan tiles) were hand painted. Tin-glazed decorative tiles reached the height of their popularity between the 17th and 18th centuries, when they spread from Mediterranean Europe and were all the rage among the affluent in England and the Netherlands. They were manufactured in the Spanish port of Valencia and shipped to Italy via the island of Majorca. That is why they are sometimes referred to as ‘maiolica’ or ‘majolica’ tiles. When, in the 20th century, dust-press machines were revolutionised in England for tile-making, mass production of wall and floor tiles commenced and decorative tile making became a booming industry.(travel 3Sixty°, 2017)
(Source : Yap, Yap and profile, 2017)
(Source : travel 3Sixty°, 2017)
Five foot way
-Walkway in front of the shophouse. It is covered all the way along and means people can walk along and stop easily out of the sun or rain. A very social feature that is found all over Malaysia and in Peranakan shophouses in Malacca.
Moving on , let's talk about the interior space of the Baba Nyonya house .
Baba Nyonya house usually are very long , so it is separate into sections .
(Singaporeforless.blogspot.my, 2017)
(Source : Museum, 2017)
Staircase is one of the special features in the Baba Nyonya house , made of timber .
Staircase in the house can be only use by the family member , the servants have to use the staircase at the backdoor .
(Source : A Love Cross Two Culture, 2017)
Baba Nyonya house has one feature which is the air well , air well is designed to create good air ventilation systemic the house .
Besides that , it also provides a good feng shui in the house .
In Baba Nyonya history , water mean wealth and luck .
Three main sections in the house .
Thia Besar ( Reception hall )
(Source : Babanyonyamuseum.com, 2017)
This hall is only men are allowed to enter, usually the peranakan chinese, this is where the dignitaries sit and discuss the affair .Women of the household usually only allowed in the this gel , the dark hall to peer through the holes of the screen .
Dapur , (kitchen )
(Source : Babanyonyamuseum.com, 2017)
The heartbeat of any Baba Nyonya house is the kitchen, thesis where the women of the house hold spend most of times , and this is the place where the extended member get into .
Besides that , this is the place where usually women member gossip and meet up using their creole lnguage , the baba malay .
Thia Abu ( Ancestral hall )
(Source : Babanyonyamuseum.com, 2017)
Thia Abu , the ancestral hall are the important features in the perakana cina house . It is very important for the perakanan chinese to respect the elders and their ancestor that passed away. It is a way for the current and future generations to remember where they come from , a way to keep the family bonds close .
References :
Babanyonyamuseum.com. (2017). The Townhouse - Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum. [online] Available at: http://babanyonyamuseum.com/home-interior/ [Accessed 20 Nov. 2017].
mean?, W., Inspection, H., Resources, T., Checklist, H. and Referrals, V. (2017). Cornice. [online] ExplodedHome.com. Available at: http://www.explodedhome.com/cornice/ [Accessed 31 Nov. 2017].
Penang.attractionsinmalaysia.com. (2017). Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Penang - Malaysia Tourist & Travel Guide. [online] Available at: http://penang.attractionsinmalaysia.com/Peranakan-Mansion.php [Accessed 22 Nov. 2017].
Museum, T. (2017). The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum. [online] Attractionsmalacca.blogspot.my. Available at: https://attractionsmalacca.blogspot.my/2012/09/the-baba-nyonya-heritage-museum.html#.WjhxzhgRo_U [Accessed 27 Nov. 2017].
Singaporeforless.blogspot.my. (2017). Singapore For Less. [online] Available at: http://singaporeforless.blogspot.my [Accessed 22 Nov. 2017].
Yap, J., Yap, J. and profile, V. (2017). A taste of Peranakan decor. [online] Jules.ikeahackers.net. Available at: http://jules.ikeahackers.net/2012/09/a-taste-of-peranakan-decor.html [Accessed 29 Nov. 2017].
travel 3Sixty°. (2017). Tale of Tiles: Peranakan Patterns in Singapore. [online] Available at: https://www.travel3sixty.com/tale-tiles-peranakan-patterns-singapore/ [Accessed 28 Nov. 2017].
mean?, W., Inspection, H., Resources, T., Checklist, H. and Referrals, V. (2017). Cornice. [online] ExplodedHome.com. Available at: http://www.explodedhome.com/cornice/ [Accessed 31 Nov. 2017].
Mypropertyguide.co.uk. (2017). What is a Party Wall?. [online] Available at: http://www.mypropertyguide.co.uk/articles/display/10079/what-is-a-party-wall.htm [Accessed 3 Dec. 2017].
Huislaw.com. (2017). Penang Archives - Huislaw.com. [online] Available at: https://www.huislaw.com/tag/penang/ [Accessed 4 Dec. 2017]
Throughout History. (2017). A Vanishing Culture – The Intricate World of the Peranakan. [online] Available at: http://www.throughouthistory.com/?p=3547 [Accessed 8 Dec. 2017].
