Quaint charm of shophouses

1 The audience looking at a picture of an Early Modern Style shophouse built between the 1950s and 1970s. 2 Siok Choo sharing the unique history of the 18th century three-courtyard townhouse in Malacca belonging to her family . 3 (From left) Yeow Wooi briefing guests Alisa, Auni and Norliza on his book called ‘Penang Shophouses: A Handbook of Features and Materials’.

THE intricate details found in each shophouse can tell heritage enthusiasts which century the shophouse was built and to whom its influence is owed.

Architect and author Tan Yeow Wooi, who specialises in heritage restoration and conservation, said shophouses were urban terrace buildings that had multiple functions from family homes to places of trade.