Page 140 - JCAU-7-1

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Development of the Thirteen Factories

forms. Specifically, this transformation was evident in traditional Chinese architectural style. Notably, the Dutch
the Westernization of the building’s appearance, the and English factories introduced colonnades in their
incorporation of arched corridors, and the “modernization” central bays, embellished with pediments and cornices—
of neighborhood planning. features adapted to Guangzhou’s humid climate. These
corridor-style designs became a dominant architectural
4. Global characteristics of the Thirteen form during the development of the Thirteen Factories.
Factories From 1770 to 1822, the Westernization of the Thirteen

4.1. Westernization of the Thirteen Factories in Factories advanced further (Figure 8). The façades of
Guangzhou the Swedish and Old English factories were redesigned
with pilasters and arched gates on the 1 floor, as well as
st
The Guangzhou factories were typically established colonnades and arcades on the upper floor, completing their
along the riverside, forming a cluster of Western-style transformation into fully Westernized buildings. Following
buildings over more than a century of development. This suit, the Danish Factory, Spanish Factory, Old Cohong,
transformation occurred as Western merchants, after American Factory, Baoshun Factory, Chow-Chow Factory,
renting the buildings, initiated the “Westernization” of the and Creek Factory adopted similar Westernized elements.
factories. Carl Gustaf Ekeberg described the process: These Westernized elements included arched gates, pilasters,
Once upon a time, factories were built in the Chinese semicircular window lintels on the 1 floor, and colonnades
st
style, but not long ago, the owners of factories allowed with architraves on the upper floors, establishing these
Europeans to furnish their houses according to as signature decorative elements. Meanwhile, the front
their own preferences and convenience, and also colonnades of the British Factory and Dutch Factory were
installed glass windows… Since then, Westerners enlarged and adorned with Palladian motifs. However,
have been competing to remodel the exterior Tongwen Hang, Taihe Hang, and Yen-tsze-chaou retained
and interior of the factories to make them look their native architectural façade elements.
beautiful (Conner, 2014, p. 35)
Westernization of the Thirteen Factories reached its
In other words, hang merchants granted Western peak during 1822 – 1843 (Figure 9). During this period,
merchants the freedom to modify both the interiors and façade Westernization continued with more intricate
façades of the factories. As a result, almost all factories decorative details. For instance, the Old British Factory
leased for extended periods underwent a transformation was remodeled in the Romanesque style, featuring
from the local style to a Western one. triangular pediments and colonnades. The English Factory

The Westernization of the Thirteen Factories began and Jiyi Hang were merged to form a new English factory,
during the period 1760 – 1770 (Figure 7). In 1760, the which also adopted triangular pediments, arcades, and
area officially became the Thirteen Factories district, a colonnades as decorative elements in its façade. In addition,
development that accelerated the Westernization of the the English and Dutch factories, while preserving their
complex’s architecture (Gu & Peng, 2023). During this front porticos, transitioned from the Palladian style to
period, all factories were 2-story buildings featuring neoclassicism, characterized by thick bases and Athenian
an alcove porch on the 1 floor and a veranda facing capitals (Peng, 2014).
st
the Pearl River on the upper floor. While the façades of In summary, the transformation of the Thirteen
the Swedish and French factories incorporated some Factories from native hangs to Western-style buildings
Western decorative elements, the others still retained their reflected the continuous introduction of Western

Figure 7. Thirteen Factories in Guangzhou, 1760 – 1770. Source: Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

Volume 7 Issue 1 (2025) 7 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3676