Origin: Europe, 17th to 18th century, based on a European vision of China.
Chinoiserie is a 17th and 18th century European style that imitated and reinterpreted images of China rather than copying it faithfully. In architecture it features sweeping curved roofs, glazed tiles, floral patterns, lattice balustrades and garden pieces such as pavilions and arched bridges. Colours are often vivid reds, jade greens and golds.
In Vietnam it suits tea houses, restaurants, boutique hotels or a small garden pavilion. In Hai Phong curved roofs need a strong structure of reinforced concrete or galvanised steel because of typhoons. Use quality glazed tiles, weather-proof paint and waterproofing at the curves. Lattice should be aluminium or treated timber, avoiding thin wood that rots in humid weather.
