Former British Consulate in Keelung Introduction
The former British consulate residence on the east side of Fort San Domingo is an architectural structure made of red bricks and arcades, distinctly different from the castle style of Fort San Domingo. The brick building was designed by a British architect and constructed by Chinese engineers using Chinese materials. Its red brick facade, arched corridors, sloped roofs, and high steps successfully showcase the characteristics of typical colonial architecture. The former British consulate residence is a two-story red-brick western-style house built by the British, commonly referred to as "colonial architecture," which was typical in East Asia and Southeast Asia during the mid-19th century for trade or colonial purposes. The South Gate serves as the main entrance, constructed with stone slabs from Guanyin Mountain. The distinctive western-style house features a large lawn in front and a two-story arcade structure, resembling the popular "bungalow" style of British colonial architecture during the Victorian era. It is now part of the Fort San Domingo Historic Area and is designated as a first-class historic site. The outer brick wall of the main entrance features twelve brick relief sculptures, including symbols of England such as roses, the "VR1891" emblem from the Victorian era, and railings adorned with local Taiwanese-style green-glazed vases. Additionally, there are "ancient coin pattern" stone carvings on the windows near the base. The edges of the brick columns are finely rounded, with the column heads, shafts, and bases mimicking Greek stone details, demonstrating a high level of brick craftsmanship. The 1860s marked the era of Taiwan's opening to the outside world, with foreign merchants and missionaries landing in the region, leading to the construction of trading houses and consulates. The architectural style of these western houses differs somewhat from European buildings, incorporating features such as arcades designed for heat protection in tropical regions. Surrounding arcades became a standard element in Western houses, symbolizing the arrival of Western influence from Singapore to Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shanghai, and Qingdao. The former British consulate residence was built in the 1860s to 1870s and is one of the few surviving early western-style houses in East Asia. Its construction techniques were exemplary, and it used high-quality materials. It notably retains the iron ribbed arch built in the late 19th century, which predates the invention of reinforced concrete, making it of significant academic and aesthetic value.
