sino-portuguese architecture

The distinctive feature of phuket's some hundred-years-old Sino-Portugues architecture is the perfect marriage of Western structure and Eastern function represented by Chinese and Portugese contributions of heritage influences architecture.Similar buildings are also found in Penang and Singapore.
Sino- Portuguese bulding in Phuket can be divided into two groups:shop -houses where the ethnic Chinese live and conduct their business;and the villas of the well-to -do westerns during the hey-day of Phuket's tin mining industry.
The trademark feature of a Sino-Portuguese building is its front porch which is designed to be rain and sun -proof which demonstrates the kindness and consideration shown by the owner to passers-by.Also,it is compatible with the rainy climate of Phuket.The exterior of the buildings
are decorated with stuccos of both Chinese and Western style.
The use of the interior space is allocated by depth to avoid high residence tax which was back then charged according to the frontal width of the building.The basement often has underground water well while the daylight is another unique charater of th bedroom s on the upper floor ,which is also decorated with attractive louvers.Some villas feature eaves adorned in Victoraingingerbread wood work.Nowadays,many of these have been turned into cafes and restaurants that provide an embiance quite unlike anywhere else.
The Taste
An old building of over one hundred years of age on Ratsada road which has been transformed
into a hip hotel under the concept "modern space in old building" THE TASTE has emeraged as a tastefully modern restaurant lavishly decorated with stylish chandeliers contasted to the hip furniture on its ground floor.A small number of guest rooms are available each with design that is distinct from one to another all focusing on comfortable and liberating feel.The bathroom ,in particular,is combinedas part of the bed room
www.thetastephuket.com