Former British Consulate Residence Introduction
The former British Consulate Residence, located on the east side of Fort San Domingo, is a brick and arcade-style Western building that is completely different from the castle style of Fort San Domingo. The brick building of the consulate was designed by a British architect and constructed by Chinese engineers using Chinese materials. Its characteristics include red brick walls, arched corridors, sloping roofs, and high steps, which successfully showcase the features of typical colonial architecture. The former British Consulate Residence is a two-story red brick Western-style building constructed by the British, commonly referred to as "colonial architecture," which was built during the mid-19th century by the British in East Asia and Southeast Asia for commercial or colonial purposes. The South Gate serves as the main entrance and is built with stone blocks from Guanyin Mountain. The distinctive Western-style building is set in front of a large lawn, complemented by a two-story brick arched form, embodying the popular "bungalow" style of British colonial architecture. It is a Victorian-style building, currently included in the Fort San Domingo Historical Area and listed as a first-class historic site. On the outer brick wall of the main entrance, there are twelve brick carvings, including symbols of England such as a rose, the "VR1891" motif from the Victorian era, local Taiwanese-style green glazed vase railings, and "ancient coin pattern" stone-carved windows near the podium. Furthermore, the edges of the brick columns feature delicate curved grinding, with structures of the column heads, shafts, and bases imitating Greek stone detailing, demonstrating advanced brick-making techniques. The 1860s marked the era of Taiwan's opening to foreign trade, when foreign merchants and missionaries landed in the region, leading to the establishment of trading houses and consulates during this period. These Western-style houses differ from traditional European architecture, incorporating features suited for hot tropical climates, such as arcades surrounding the building, becoming a standard Western-style residence. From Singapore to Macao, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and even Shanghai and Qingdao, they symbolize the arrival of Western influence. The former British Consulate Residence was constructed between the 1860s and 1870s and is one of the few remaining earlier Western-style buildings in East Asia. The consulate was constructed with exceptional technical skill and fine materials, and it has remarkably preserved the fire-resistant iron awning with arched design from the late 19th century, predating the invention of reinforced concrete, making it of significant academic and aesthetic value.
