architecture – Home & Abroad

Cityscapes of China’s northeast

Caroline — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 14:11:30 +0000

For our recent trip to Tianjin and Dalian in China’s northeast I did not leave with the expectation of taking pictures with a deep blue sky as China’s cities are known for their high level of air pollution. And I was proven right: Although the pollution was not terrible, the sky was mostly rather white than blue.

As a consequence, I often opted for black and white photography which was – in my opinion – a great choice as fortunately both Tianjin and Dalian offer very interesting and distinctive architecture with lots of contrasts. In comparison with other Chinese cities, they seem very European.

Tianjin is China’s third biggest city and has a rich history, impacted by foreign trade in the late 1800s. You find plenty of buildings with British, German, French, Italian or Japanese influence and it seems that the Italian concession houses the biggest cluster of old Italian architecture outside of Italy.

Dalian is China’s northernmost sea port and due to its ice-free location has ever since been a very strategic harbour town. For long, Russian or Japanese occupied the city and it was only in 1955 that it was returned to China. Still today, you see the influence of both countries and I was surprised to find that many Russian still spend their holidays there. The architecture with its old buildings and numerous squares, restaurants and even souvenirs stalls clearly show this influence.

Tianjin

Dalian

Eerily beautiful and abandoned

Caroline — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 15:48:12 +0000

The setting of a book I have recently read (“Crazy Rich Asians”) is a huge and extravagant palace in the middle of Singapore. After some searches on Internet I found that the author must have got his inspiration from an indeed existing place! It is Istana Woodneuk, a mansion that was built by the Sultan of Johor more than 120 years ago. In the history of the “palace” lots of royalties and important people must have visited and walked the impressive staircase.

For unknown reasons, the place has been left abandoned sometimes in the 1950s. In the 60 years since, Mother Nature has taken over and the mansion now lies hidden in the jungle.

As I love such discoveries, I got friends and camera ready and we went on the search of this hidden and abandoned place. What we found is eerily beautiful and lets one imagine its former glory!

Neighbourhood nostalgia

Caroline — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 12:29:45 +0000

Dakota Crescent is one of Singapore’s oldest public housing estates. When it was recently announced that the 17 low-rise blocks are going to be destroyed and the neighbourhood redeveloped, I decided that it was high time to have a closer look and discover this hidden treasure before it is gone for good. The estate was built in 1958 – at a time when Singapore was not yet independent – and seems to have hardly changed ever since.

I started my tour with breakfast at Tian Kee, a retro-styled café. I have read that it had taken over the premises of the Tian Kee Provision Shop which was privately run and for 54 years catered to the daily needs of the neighbourhood.

In the late afternoon I came back in order to stroll around the blocks and take some pictures. I was initially not happy as the weather was rather hazy. After review I find however that it adds a special touch and conveys the nostalgic feeling really well.

Sporty Architecture

Caroline — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 09:13:52 +0000

Singapore is probably more famous for architecture than sports. Now, there exists however a place which combines these two elements in a great way. In June 2014 the all new Singapore Sports Hub has opened its doors and revealed some stunning architecture.

Foremost, the National Stadium with its retractable roof. Whereas the stadium already sets a world record with the largest free-spanning dome roof (312m in diameter), I am curious to see how long it takes for sport records to be broken. Next year’s SEA Games (sort of Olympic Games of the South East Asia states) held in Singapore for the first time in more than 20 years will definitely add a lot of entertainment and spectacle and might as well set some new records.

Besides the National Stadium there is much more to discover. The Sports Hub includes the Aquatic Centre, the Indoor Stadium, a new shopping mall and – the highlight for me – a stunning vista over the bay, with Singapore’s skyline as backdrop.