Former British Consulate Residence Introduction
Located on the eastern side of Fort San Domingo, the former British Consulate during the Qing Dynasty is a Western-style brick building with arcades, completely different from the castle style of Fort San Domingo. The brick construction of the consulate was designed by a British architect and built by Chinese technicians, using Chinese materials. The red-brick structure, arched corridors, sloped roof, and high steps successfully showcase the characteristics of typical colonial architecture. The former British consulate is a two-story Western-style brick house built by the British, commonly referred to as "colonial style architecture," which was popular among the British in East Asia and Southeast Asia during the mid-19th century for trade and colonization. The south gate, or outer entrance, is constructed of stone blocks from Guanyin Mountain, and the Western-style building features a large lawn in front, complemented by the main two-story arcaded brick form that typifies the "bungalow" style popular during the British colonial period and in the Victorian architectural style. It is now incorporated into the Fort San Domingo historic site and designated as a Grade I historic site. On the outer brick wall of the main entrance, there are 12 brick sculptures, including symbols of England such as the rose, a pattern from the Victorian era marked "VR1891," locally styled green-glazed vase railings, and "ancient money pattern" stone-carved windows near the platform base. Additionally, the edges of the brick columns feature finely curved edges, and the design of the capitals, shafts, and bases of the columns mimics the details of Greek stonework, demonstrating high craftsmanship in brickwork. (Source: Ministry of Culture National Cultural Heritage Database) The 1860s marked the period when Taiwan opened up to the outside world, with merchants and missionaries from various powers landing here; during this time, trading houses and consulates were also constructed. These Western-style houses are not entirely identical to European architecture but incorporate features of tropical design to mitigate heat, with arcades surrounding the buildings, becoming a standard for Western-style homes that symbolize the arrival of Western powers from Singapore to Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shanghai, and Qingdao. The former British consulate was built between the 1860s and 1870s and is one of the few surviving earlier Western-style buildings in East Asia. The construction techniques of the consulate were exceptional, utilizing quality materials, and it still retains the intact iron roof arches from the late 19th century, which precede the invention of reinforced concrete, holding significant academic research and appreciation value.
