Shophouse

A shophouse is a building type that serves as both a residence and a commercial business, most closely associated with Southeast Asia, where a shop opens directly onto the pavement while also housing the owner's family. The term came into common use from the 1950s, and closely related building types are found elsewhere in Asia, including the tong lau of southern China, Hong Kong and Macau, and comparable buildings in Sri Lanka. Shophouses typically stand in a terraced row, often fronted by arcades or colonnades, producing a distinctive townscape across Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka and South China.