Formosan Shophouses

Sample:


Shophouses (Terraces) with Arcades, or Verandah, are believed to be introduced by English merchants during late 19th Century. They came in seeking of opportunities of fortune, driven by the illusions of Golden Far East. Bungalows surrounded by Verandah were something brought by those Englishmen, apart form gunboats, different philosophies and unrealistic expectations.

Some left, some gone. Verandahs are something stays and blendes into Formosans' day-to-day life by transforming to Arcades. Providing sun shade, rain shelter and veneration for fresh air, Arcades were encouraged to set up in front of the Shophouses by Governor of Taiwan. A Scotish Sanitary Engineer W.K. Burton also strongly suggested the authorities of Formosa for the same reasons. Legalised and promoted though the city reforming by the colonial government of Taiwan, Arcades were spread out and can be seen everywhere on the Isles of Formosa.





It can be counted that adopting new philosophy, and dramatically transform, sometimes even destroy old sights are some sort of modernity, even though it's not Formosans' choice.



The Arcades once largely changed the streetscape of Formosa, and in associated with Formosan Urban Modernisation. Can a continuous Modernism on architecture and landscape of contemporary Formosa still be based on this foundation? What will Shophouses approach to? What will Arcades evolve into?
What should Formosan DESTROY at this stage to create cities closer to what Plato says "IDEAL"?