Commercial architecture of a British trading firm in the Far East, 1830s-1930s: building of Jardine Matheson & Co. offices and warehouses

Abstract

This paper’s exploration of the architecture of Jardine Matheson & Co. a British mercantile firm in nineteenth century China and Japan, contributes to the socio-spatial examination of western-style architecture in East Asia from the cross-national perspective. Based on an archival survey of the Jardine Matheson Archive and several contemporary sources, the architectural activities of this British colonial merchant that constructed its branches throughout nineteenth-century East Asia are examined with regard to the following points. First, making use of directories published in the nineteenth century, the opening and closure of their branches are summarized throughout East Asia. Second, the spatial composition and historical background of early buildings in Canton and Hong Kong are clarified. Third, with regard to the several branches established in the mid- to late nineteenth century, their historical backgrounds are clarified. Fourth, spatial compositions of several branch buildings are examined making use of architectural plans and pictures. Fifth, the development of modern office building in the early twentieth century is clarified. Finally, summarizing the above examination, the paper shows the changes in branch buildings related to their business model, and places their architecture in the merchant’s commercial network and the British colonial world in nineteenth century East Asia.

Keywords

• jardine matheson
• commercial building
• office and warehouse
• east asia
• british colonial architecture