Former British Consulate in Tamsui Introduction
Located on the east side of Fort San Domingo, the former British consulate residence of the Qing Dynasty is a brick-and-arcade Western-style building, distinctly different from the castle style of Fort San Domingo. The brick structure of the consulate was designed by a British architect and constructed by Chinese craftsmen, utilizing Chinese materials. The red-brick building, arched corridors, sloped roofs, and high steps successfully display 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 for British merchants during the mid-19th century in East Asia and Southeast Asia. The southern gate acts as the main entrance, constructed with stones from Guanyin Mountain, and the building features a large lawn in front paired with a double-layered arched brick structure, resembling the popular "bungalow" style during the British colonial period. This structure has been designated as a first-class monument and is included in the Fort San Domingo heritage site. The outer brick wall by the main entrance features 12 brick carvings, including a rose symbolizing Britain, the "VR1891" pattern from the Victorian era, railings with local Taiwanese style green-glazed vases, and "ancient coin patterns" carved into windows near the base. Additionally, the edges of the brick pillars have finely curved margins, with the design of the capitals, shafts, and bases imitating Greek stone detailing, showcasing high brickwork techniques. (Source: National Cultural Heritage Administration, Ministry of Culture) The 1860s marked the period when Taiwan was opened to the outside world, and foreign merchants and missionaries landed, leading to the construction of trading houses and consulates. These Western-style houses differ somewhat from European architecture, incorporating tropical features such as arcade designs for cooling. The arcades surrounding these houses became standard for Western-style buildings, symbolizing the arrival of Western powers from Singapore to Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, as well as Shanghai and Qingdao. The former British consulate residence was built between the 1860s and 1870s and is one of the few surviving early Western-style houses in East Asia. Its construction techniques are exceptional, and it makes use of carefully selected materials, preserving a fire-resistant iron sheet arch from the late 19th century, which is a precursor to reinforced concrete, holding great academic research and aesthetic value.
