Building the brightly future: Project 2 : Documentation Study

In a group of 6, this project involves the study of street in an Asian City to understand the historical and social aspects of a city by examining the development of tradition, modernization and globalization of the street. The street we chose was Chulia street in Penang. we were required to sketch an A2 size street map manually with annotations of landmarks and significant elements that reflect the architecture iconography of the street. Besides that, each of the group members need to take 10 photos and compile it into a photo series with caption and storyline about the changes from old to new of Chulia Street.

Penang has a had a long history, involving the change of power from Kedah, the British and finally the Federation of Malaya. Today it boasts all its history in its architecture around Penang itself. Tourists from other parts of Malaysia as well as from international communities visit Penang to see the both modern and historic architecture, to eat the food Penang is most well-known for, and to experience a truly multi-racial and multireligious society.

Chinese shophouses built during the time of the colonial rule of the British stand today as a mark of endurance of time. Chulia street is filled from end to end with these shophouses, with few places of worship, hotels and modern buildings punctuating the street to demonstrate a sense of contemporary and urban growth. Though filled with history as one of four significant streets in Penang’s history, the street has since slowly developed to accommodate a younger and more contemporary clientele of visitors. Today there are still many shophouses that house old businesses like carpet shops and medicine shops, but alongside them are new coffee shops and hostels for backpackers. There is a lively mixture of new and old in Chulia street, and it creates an intriguing atmosphere involving both the old and young generation.