The Algorithm Processes of Generating Embellishments in the Baba-Nyonya Shophouses

The Baba-Nyonya shophouses have unique characteristics, which reflected the interchange of the Chinese and Malay cultures. With that, the shophouses in Georgetown-Penang have the opportunity to be included under the Baba-Nyonya influence. The cultural effects are represented in; furniture, patterns, material, colour, layout, and order. The interior space, in fact, responds to these effects. In addition, wooden embellishments is significant element in the shophouses, which possess unique mechanism to generate them. This element are affected by the technology era, which affects the process of generating. The generating of original composition of embellishments depends on the experience of the craftsman, who has the authority to form it, depending on the existing models. Therefore, there are stages in generating this element. There is needs to identify and document these stages. Moreover, the sequences of creating the patterns depend on the principles of the design should be recorded. The aim of study is to identify the stages of generating the original type that had been used the Baba-Nyonya shophouses. To provided a platform of generating new patterns with the similar gen of the original pattern. In order to conserve the algorithmic process of generating original shape of wooden embellishments. Selecting case study depended on the value of originality of the interior elements, thus, Me.N.U cafe are selected as it have a unique Peranakan interior elements, which is located in Lorog Stewart, Georgetown. This shophouse related to eclectic style 1840s-1900s. Hence, visual analysis was used to identify the algorithm of generating the wooden embellishment to draw out the guidelines and shape grammar of embellishment to generate the models related to the original gene. Thus, the current study is a mixed analyses study in determining the frequency of using the principles of design and the types of principles. Furthermore, case study and visual observation were carried out to identify the sequences, the stages, and the levels of the creating process. The result clarified the algorithmic process, which depending on three stages: micro, macro and theme. The results reflected the harmonized mixture of Baba-Nyonya characteristics within the principles of symmetry, repetition, and transformation processes were frequently employed to create various types of balance and harmony in the interior space.