Traditional design in Singapore includes the Malay homes, shop houses, black and white bungalows and religious places of worship. The architectural construction and layout bespeaks of a design suited to the ecological requirements and aesthetic aspirations of the populace. General problems with home in Singapore When speaking about traditional architecture in Singapore, certain Considerations have to be considered. The Majority of the Singapore residents are now housed in HDB units and see no Need to build themselves conventional houses.
HBD Housing Development Board is government-subsidised flat blocks. 80 – 85% of Singaporeans live in HBD flats. Traditional skills in construction are slowly lost, especially with the onslaught of modernization, where residents are more inclined to buy a HDB unit. Conventional buildings require continuous attention in maintenance work due to the high rate of corrosion in the tropical weather and termites. These are conventional dwellings that existed prior to the arrival of Foreigners in the area and were and still are being assembled by native ethnic Malays of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo such as Indonesia. The Malays of ancient Singapore would without doubt have built similar structures for shelter against the elements.
Typical construction styles and layout
Traditional architectural structures are built with the components and social structures in mind, in addition to the availability of local materials. Structural proportions are compatible and roofs slant downwards in a Sharp angle to allow for maximum runoff of rainwater. Organic bindings allow for flexibility and are more commonly used instead of nails. Timber is perforated to permit for joining pieces of wood.
Traditional homes:
These are typically built on stilts, such as the Ramah Panging or kampong homes, for avoiding wild animals or flooding. Have a stairway leading from the exterior into the salami porch or veranda and upwards into an elevated interior. Stairs can be made from brick or wood and tiled. Have rooms which are partitioned to a veranda, a living area and bedrooms. The veranda is for relaxing, the living room for family members, relatives and friends and bedrooms exclusively for family members.
Shop houses
A store house is a traditional construction most commonly seen in Pasir Ris 8 Condo. They are, as their titles indicate, buildings where people can store. They are usually 2-3 stories high with shopping area on the bottom Floor and residences over the shop. They occupy historic centres of most cities and towns in the Southeast Asian regions.
Black and white bungalows
These buildings were once the abode of Singapore expatriate families working in tropical regions throughout the colonial era. They have been built by wealthy expatriate households, commercial companies and the authorities. Many continue to be occupied as residential buildings, but some have been converted into commercial property, like restaurants and bars.