Lou Kau Mansion, Macau

Lou Kau Mansion (9 November, 2007)

The Lou Kau Mansion is a tradtional Chinese courtyard mansion in Macau. It was the home of Lou Kau, a prominent Chinese merchant. The mansion was built in 1889, and is located on one of the alleys close to the Senate Square.

Lou Kau Mansion a two-storey structure constructed as a traditional grey-brick courtyard house. The architectural characteristics of the mansion is typical of Xiguan Chinese residential house. The façade has a recessed entrance which creates an overhanging eave to provides shelter during bad weather while at the same time protects the relief frieze decorations from the elements. This design is common in the houses from the Lingnan region.

Lou Kau Mansion is symmetrical in arrangement. Two courtyards separates the three main halls. All are arranged within an axis. The three halls are the Entrance Hall, Tea Hall and Senior Hall. This arrangement of the halls demonstrates the hierarchical structure of Chinese families, especially the affluent. The deeper one ventures into the home, the closer one gets to the private quarters and space for senior members.

Reception area for guests, Lou Kau Mansion (9 November, 2007)

Although Lou Kau Mansion is a typical Chinese house, the ornamentation shows that elements of Western design are incorporated. This includes the neo-classical balustrades and perforated wooden ceilings similar to those on Macau's churches.

Lou Kau Mansion is one of the sights within the Historic Centre of Macao and is inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.