Former British Consulate Office in Tamsui Introduction
Located east of Fort San Domingo, the former British Consulate Residence is a red-brick, arcade-style Western building, entirely different from the castle-like style of Fort San Domingo. The brick structure of the consulate was designed by a British architect and constructed with the help of Chinese technicians, utilizing Chinese building materials. The red brick building, arched corridors, sloped roof, and high steps successfully showcase the characteristics of typical colonial architecture. The former British consulate residence is a two-story red-brick building constructed by the British, and such Western-style buildings built by the British in East Asia and the South Seas during the mid-19th century are generally referred to as "colonial architecture." The South Gate, the external entrance, is built with stones from Guanyin Mountain, and the residence features a large lawn in front, complemented by its two-story arched brick structure, resembling the colonial popular "bungalow" style of the Victorian era. It is now part of the Fort San Domingo Historic Area and designated as a first-class historic site. The outer brick wall of the main entrance displays twelve brick sculptures, including symbols of Britain such as the rose, the "VR1891" emblem from the Victorian era, green-glazed vase railings reflecting local Taiwanese styles, and "ancient coin pattern" stone window carvings near the pedestal. Additionally, the edges of the brick columns are meticulously beveled, with the forms of the capitals, shafts, and bases imitating Greek stone details, showcasing a high level of brickwork craftsmanship. (Source: National Cultural Heritage Administration, Ministry of Culture) The 1860s marked an era of opening up for Taiwan, with foreign merchants and missionaries landing on its shores, leading to the construction of commercial houses and consulates during this period. The design of this Western-style residence differs slightly from European architecture, having incorporated tropical features such as arcades to combat heat. The surrounding arcades became a standard feature of Western-style homes, symbolizing the arrival of Western influence from Singapore to Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and extending to Shanghai and Qingdao. The former British consulate residence was built in the 1860s to 1870s and is one of the few earlier Western-style buildings remaining in East Asia. The construction techniques of the consulate are outstanding, and the materials are exquisitely selected, preserving intact fireproof iron-sheet arches from the late 19th century, representing an early version of reinforced concrete and holding significant academic research and appreciation value.
