Rural Architecture in George Town

Rural architecture in urban Penang (3 February 2013)


Although the city of George Town is today very much a concrete canyon, there are still pockets of rural architecture in various parts of the city. I have previously written about the village houses in George Town. On this page, I expand on this by showing you some of the rural houses that are still standing, albeit often tucked away from the main road.

One of the types of rural houses that you can find in George Town is the Chinese-style khu3kha3lau2 (Hokkien pronunciation of 高腳樓 though possibly a mispronunciation of phu3kha3lau2 浮脚楼, Pinyin: fú jiǎo lóu), which means "house on stilts" in Penang Hokkien. They are similar to Malay stilt houses. Although the ground floor was originally open space - due to flooding concerns, over time with improved drainage some of these houses may be renovated so that the ground floor become the kitchen.

Khu3kha3lau2 in George Town (3 February 2013)


Usually the house itself is supported by brick columns. The main structure is made of wood and topped with roofing slate or shingle. It is almost impossible to find thatch used for roofing in George Town nowadays, as the material is hard to come by.

Many of these khu3kha3lau2 are charming structures that are often unappreciated as the city modernise. To find them, go to Burmah Road, and you will find a few wedged between Jalan Zainal Abidin and Madras Lane.

Semi-brick village house in George Town, Penang (3 February 2013)


The rural houses are remnants from the time when the area was semi rural. When Burmah Road modernise, these are "left behind" as they are away from the main road. Over time, they become isolated pockets of urban villages hemmed in on all sides by shophouses and modern high-rises.

I have always found these houses charming. I remember when I was in Standard Two, I have a friend who would draw the front façade of the khu3kha3lau2 in his scrapbook. He would adorn his drawing of the house with light bulb, lantern, and trailing plants that wrap around the columns such as gourds and ivies. That friend introduced me to the charm of the khu3kha3lau2 even though we were just seven or eight years old.

Front façade of a rural house in George Town, Penang (3 February 2013)


I do not know how much longer will we have the khu3kha3lau2. Most of those along main roads have long been demolished and replaced with modern 3- or 4-storey shops. So far, only those located away from main roads have survived, but probably even their days are numbered. So while I can, I take the chance to photograph them. Should they go away, at least I have something in my hands for posterity.

Wooden house on stilt in George Town (3 February 2013)


Rural houses, as viewed towards Burmah Road (3 February 2013)

Architectural Styles of Buildings in George Town

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