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Frank Harvey Hi-Fi Building, Spon Street, Coventry

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One of the most visually commanding buildings on Spon Street is the tall, three-storeyed timber-framed structure that now houses Frank Harvey Hi-Fi Excellence. With its two jettied upper floors, elaborate timber framing, and series of finely carved mullioned windows, this building is among the finest surviving examples of medieval merchant architecture in Coventry. Believed to date from the late 15th century, the building reflects the prosperity that Coventry enjoyed during the height of its cloth and wool trade. The size and height of the structure, especially the presence of three full storeys, suggest that it once belonged to a wealthy merchant. The overhanging upper floors and detailed tracery on the windows point to both the affluence of its original owner and the architectural language of the time, where each projecting level not only added more internal space but also demonstrated the status of the household. Frank Harvey Hi-Fi Building, Spon Street, Coventry Unlike many of th...
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Black Swan Terrace and The Weaver’s House, Spon Street, Coventry

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Among the most distinctive timber-framed structures along Spon Street is a long row of jettied buildings with red and black vertical timbers and a tiled roof that stretches low to the street. This row, commonly referred to as Black Swan Terrace , includes several historic houses, the most notable being the one now interpreted as The Weaver’s House . The terrace represents a rare survival of medieval artisan dwellings in Coventry. Although many such structures were lost during the Blitz and urban redevelopment, this particular group endured. The buildings were carefully restored in the latter half of the 20th century as part of the city’s commitment to preserving its medieval streetscape. The frontage now reflects the typical form of 15th and early 16th-century housing once common in the city, timber-framed with close studding, upper floors that project over the lower ones, and gabled ends. Spon Street, Coventry One of the restored houses in the terrace has been converted into a living ...
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Location: Spon St, Coventry CV1, UK
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1 & 2 Spon Street, Coventry

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Situated prominently at the beginning of Spon Street, near the modern traffic junction where the medieval meets the present, stands one of Coventry’s most picturesque timber-framed buildings. This two-storey structure with its distinctive jettied upper floor and exposed oak frame is known today as 1 & 2 Spon Street. Though it may appear to have stood here for centuries, its presence on this street is relatively recent, the result of Coventry’s determined efforts to preserve and reconstruct its medieval heritage. Spon Street, Coventry The building, believed to date back to the 15th century, is an excellent example of a Wealden house, a type more commonly associated with south-east England. It features a recessed central bay flanked by projecting upper-storey wings, a design typical of high-status houses from the late medieval period. The close-studded framing, braces, and dragon beams have all been carefully restored and reinstated, showcasing the craftsmanship of its original buil...
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Location: Spon St, Coventry CV1, UK
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Kuan Im Tng Temple, Singapore – A Tranquil Taoist Sanctuary Amid Heritage Streets

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Located just behind the pastel-hued Peranakan shophouses of Joo Chiat, the Kuan Im Tng Temple in Singapore stands as a peaceful Taoist retreat amidst a bustling urban neighborhood. This temple, dedicated to Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) , is not only a place of worship but also an architectural reflection of Southern Chinese Taoist traditions, harmonizing faith, symbolism, and heritage. Kuan Im Tng Temple A Hidden Gem Behind the Peranakan Rows Though modest in scale, the temple is easily recognizable by its twin-tiered red tiled gateway crowned with traditional roof eaves. Red, a color symbolizing fortune and protection in Chinese culture, dominates the structure, from the gate columns to the roof tiles and window accents. The temple complex is paved with terracotta-toned tiles and enclosed by walls, offering an oasis of calm amid residential life. At the entrance, a golden censer stands under a pagoda-style pavilion. It is adorned with dragon carvings, used for burning incense sticks ...
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Location: Singapore
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ArtScience Museum – The Icon of Curiosity at Marina Bay Sands

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With its lotus-inspired design perched gracefully beside Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum is one of Singapore’s most visually distinctive buildings. But beyond its architecture lies a compelling space that merges science, art, culture, and technology. Singapore ArtScience Museum Architectural Brilliance Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, the museum features ten ‘fingers’ extending from a central base, each gallery resembling a petal of a blooming lotus. Natural light floods the interior, creating a serene space that enhances the visitor experience. A continuous waterfall from the roof symbolizes sustainability and harmony. Singapore ArtScience Museum Permanent and Rotating Exhibitions The museum hosts both permanent installations (like Future World) and a range of rotating exhibitions on topics ranging from physics and space to history, animation, and artificial intelligence. Past exhibitions have included "Harry Potter: The Exhibition", "NASA – A Human Adve...
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Location: Singapore
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Future World – Where Art Meets Science

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Housed within Singapore’s iconic ArtScience Museum, "Future World: Where Art Meets Science" is a breathtaking permanent exhibition that explores the intersection of digital technology, creativity, and interactivity. Developed in collaboration with teamLab, a renowned Japanese art collective, this immersive experience blurs the lines between art and science, leaving visitors, especially children and families, spellbound. Singapore - Future World A Walkthrough of Wonder From the moment you step into Future World, you’re greeted with dynamic digital installations that react to your presence and gestures. The highlight for many is the Crystal Universe , a dazzling display of light sculptures that creates the illusion of walking through a galaxy. Another favorite is Sketch Aquarium , where visitors draw their own sea creatures and watch them come to life on a giant animated screen. Singapore - Future World Themes and Zones The exhibition is divided into thematic zones such a...
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Location: Singapore
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Peranakan Houses and Shops of Singapore – A Living Canvas of Heritage, Architecture and Culture

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In a city known for its modern skyline and multicultural vibrancy, the Peranakan houses of Singapore stand as elegant sentinels of the past. These pastel-hued shophouses, adorned with ornate stucco, colorful tiles, wooden shutters and intricate carvings, offer more than just aesthetic charm; they are gateways into the unique heritage of the Peranakan community. Peranakan Houses and Shops of Singapore Who Are the Peranakans? The term Peranakan broadly refers to descendants of Chinese, Indian or other immigrants who settled in the Malay Archipelago and married into local communities. Among the most recognized are the Straits Chinese or Baba-Nyonya , a Chinese-Peranakan community that developed a distinctive hybrid culture incorporating Chinese, Malay, and colonial influences. Singapore, with its strategic trade location and diverse population, became one of the central hubs of Peranakan settlement. (Note: The Malay Archipelago is a vast island group located between mainland South...
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Location: Singapore
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