2. 2 A Brief Intoduction
4 Coast and River
8 The Shophouse
18 Diversity
24 Chee Mansion
1
3. A zenith of power in the 15th century, Melaka was an important port
on the ancient trade route. Dubbed the ‘Queen of the spice trade’,
she was hailed by historian Tome Pires as a city “of such impor-
A Brief Introduction
tance and profit that it seems to me it has no equal in the world.”
While the economy of this fascinating, exotic hub rested entirely in
its entrepôt trade, its multiculturalism is where its charm lies. Indig-
enous groups live harmoniously with immigrant peoples, with more
than 80 languages spoken in streets. It is therefore not surprising
that one can find mosques, temples and churches in the same area.
2 Melaka river & St Francis Church in background. 3
4. The shape of Melaka city, prior
to land reclamation in the 90s,
was influenced largely by the
coast and the river. Rows of
shophouses were situated
Coast and River
according to the curves of the
river, and although the coast-
line has already been extend-
ed outwards, houses that once
faced the coast still reflect that.
Right: A house along what
used to be the coast.
4 The beach at Melaka, around 1900. 5
5. The figure ground plan
reflects how the shape
of the settlement was
influenced by the
coast and shape
of the river
A sketch of the shophouses lining the
Melaka river.
6 7
6. The iconic shophouse
The Shophouse combines both chinese and
western building principles,
resulting in architectonic
balance.
View from Lorong Hang Jebat
8 9
7. Opposite page: Jalan Kampung Pan-
tai. A cursory glance at the shopfronts
is proof of the commercial dominance
of the Chinese in Melaka
Right: An example of the late straits
eclectic style shophouse. European
neo-classical motifs are commonly
found on shophouse facades.
10 11
8. Opposite page: View from
river, facing Jalan Kampung
Pantai. The street, which
connects the road to a pe-
destrian bridge, was bustling
with activity.
Right: A shophouse situat-
ed at the junction of Jalan
Kampung Pantai and the
aforementioned street. Its
facade addresses the main
road, but it has a side en-
trance facing the street.
12 13
9. Opposite page: A shophouse at the junction
of Lorong Hang Jebat and Jalan Tun Tan
Cheng Lock. The side of the shophouse
gives the observer some insight into the sec-
tion and layout of a shophouse.
Right: Fire escape routes were implemented
to prevent fires from spreading too easily
within the densely built up area. They also
serve as an escape route in case of emer-
gency, but inhabitants commonly use them
as storage space, kitchens, or workshops.
14 15
10. Legend
Jalan Kampung Pantai
Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock
Lorong Hang Jebat
Fire escape routes
Man using fire escape route as workspace.
16 17
11. Portuguese historian Duarte Barbosa called Melaka “the richest sea
Diversity
port with the greatest number of wholesale merchants and abundance
of shipping that can be found in the whole world”. It is no wonder that
the then cosmopolitan and thriving city of Melaka attracted muliti-
tudes of traders from all over the world, many of whom chose to settle
down. These immigrants also brought their religions along with them.
Jalan Tukang Emas with Xiang Lin Si Temple in
background
18 19
12. Xiang Lin Si Temple
Jalang Tukang Emas, represented in purple, has an indian temple, a malay
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple Syamssudin Al-Sumatrani’s Tomb mosque. Jalan Tokong, represented in yellow, is lined with two chinese tem-
ples and the tomb of a fallen warrior who fended off the Portuguese in the
Kampung Kling
Mosque
16th century.
Sri Poyyatha
Vinayagar Moorthi
Temple
Kampung Kling Mosque. While the mosque itself is facing Mecca, the
minaret is orientated such that it addresses the road junction.
20 21
13. Opposite page: The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple. Built in 1645, it features a mag-
nificent main gate along Jalan Tokong, and is the oldest functioning temple in
Malaysia. It is situated near Kalan Tukang Emas, which has been nicknamed
‘Harmony Street’ due to the proximity of these different places of worship.
22 23
14. Chee Mansion
Punctuating the harmonious succession of shophouses along
Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock is the Chee family ancestral hall. It
was built in 1906, when Chee Yam Chuan’s sons and grand-
sons envisioned an ancestral home to venerate him.
Chee Yam Chuan Temple
24 25
15. Set back from the street on both sides, the opulent structure is a
neoclassic blend of Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese and English styles.
The sketch portrays the rear elevation, which is characterized by
elaborate architectural and ornamental details.
26 27
