Duxton Hill's Delightful Chinese Signpost, and Seeing Conservation in Singapore and England

Gorgeous!

Notice that the Chinese pictogram on the far right is the sign for hill or mountain.

Duxton Hill is old Singapore, little shophouses. Each shop is different. It is the owner's style. 

We are generally taught that in the East everybody conforms, whilst in the West everybody expresses their individuality. However, in architecture that doesn't seem to apply.

In London, you see terraces with basements in Notting Hill. In Hampstead Garden Suburb rules restrict the changes you can make. You can't rip out the old wood windows and replace them with white modern double-glazing. 

You are not allowed to paint your house bright pink in 'The Suburb'. Many of England's small towns are now enlivened by contrasting colours. 

The Romans and Greeks did not have plain white statues. The paint has washed off and that's why old statues are all boring white. If you look at medievel statues and religious paintings the clothes are colourful and convey the status and identity.

In the West of England the Nash terraces, designed by Nash, are designed to form a whole. The terraces are a belt across the hillside, and viewed from afar they match, like a necklace in a neat line. 

Let us look at Singapore again.

Singapore Shophouses

Singapore's shophouses are all in different colours. The shop is below and the owner's dwelling is behind or overhead. 

Singapore Signposts

Everything about this signpost is harmonious. The signs have a border. The writing is large so it can easily be read from a distance. The colour of the red post contrasts with the tiny turquoise tiled roof. The little roof is soothingly and restfully curved. 

You can admire the streets of other countries on the website Street view. That may inspire you to travel overseas or take a trip to a shop or restaurant or go for a stroll around other parts of your own city.

The Duxton Hill Signposts, like the ones in Chinatown in Vancouver, Canada, and other cities, are attempts to keep the character of the area consistent.

Useful Websites

streetview

singaporeair.com

visitsingapore.com

visitbritain.com

visitengland.com

Author

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker