Large administrative buildings were built at one end of the street to demonstrate control, contrasting with the individual shophouses connected by alleys that formed down the street. Shophouse designs evolved over time based on needs, distinguishing individual houses from sequential blocks. Facade configurations and repetitive geometric elements gave a sense of formality and status among shophouse blocks. Religious buildings formed community nodes with higher contact than other places, indicated by incense burns. Shophouse descriptions were marked by five-foot walkways activating the street edge and contact.

1. Large and elaborated scale of administrative buildings, which are concentrated on one end of the
street, were built to present its control and order. As the settlements spreads down the street,
contrast between fine and course grain formed by the individuality of administrative buildings and
sequential blocks of shophouses that are connected by alleys.

2. Shophouse evolution philosophy was elementary. People modify and rework on the details based on their
needs, which distinguishes a shophouse from the sequential block of shophouses. The preservation and
evolution of styles indicates the development of design of shophouses through the eras.

3. Configuration of facades of buildings
offers a hint of use cues, indicating its
power and status among the blocks of
shophouses. Repetitive and geometric
elements give a sense of formality.

4. Facades with consistent fundamental design creates a
pleasing streetscape, featuring the five foot walkway
that is connected to the front patio of the shophouse.,
forming a continuous sheltered walkway. A point to
point circulation is created when pedestrians visit shop
by shop according to interest.

5. Religious buildings form a node of function in the
community, offering higher intensity contact point as
compared to other places. Burn of incense indicate
the religious spot along the street.

6. The traditional Chinese businesses
brought much colour into the sheltered
corridor and beyond. Description of
shophouses easily spotted by the use of
the five-foot-way, activating the edge of
space and increasing the possibility of
next level of contact level.

7. Constant road width along the street forms a sense of direction, allowing
pedestrians to frame the end of a street view, presenting distinctive transportation
lane and its walkability quality.

8. Different ornamentations present the economic disparities between the social and financial
statuses of owners. It also depicts the evolution of built environment across time, forming vibrant
identity and culture of Penang today.

9. Plot width of shophouses are relatively narrow
due to the taxation and land costs. To avoid the
tax and adapt to the rules and regulations,
shophouses are long in length and have live and
work under the same roof, where residential
space at the upper level and businesses carried
out below, creating a sense of diversity in
function and activity.

10. Alleys that branch out from the main street
are mostly privatised by small businesses
like stalls and vendors that set up along the
sides of an alley, forming informal activities
and audiences, activating the street space.