It is not difficult to reconstruct the glory of colonial times just walking through a black and white bungalow. The lush garden parties held on sprawling grounds, the separate amah's and chauffeur's quarters- indicative of a colonial past , the large annexes big in a country known for its small apartments nad smaller maids rooms. Yet, the debate on the relevance of colonial forms of architecture in post-colonial times continue:
"Colonial urbanism can only be understood in its true temporal framework. Once this framework ceases to exist, then its urban products can no longer be seen as colonial" Nezar Al Sayyad, ed. Forms of Dominance. On the Architecture and Urbanism of Colonial Enterprise.Aldershot (England). Avebury, 1992.
Black and whites in Singapore are clustered in certain areas- Chancery, Stevens, Goodwood, Alexandra, Tanglin and Braddell areas.
If you can come to terms with the unsavoury facts of living amidst nature, black and whites have a lot to offer. Most have had their interiors renovated, huge size of land I cannot even begin to conceive and the promised lush greenery and wonderful patio space for relaxing and entertaining. And yes, parties in black and whites are indeed very impressive. More than enough space for the children and the family pet to roam. These black and white habitues have been known to keep their horses in their backyards and ride them to the nearby Polo Club!

The most black and whites congregate on streets with names that evoke the colonial era-places like Swettenham and Pierce. Walls with additional perforation for extra ventilation, and grounds that are a luxury in today's land-scare Singapore, vibes of a colonial past surge through you as you walk through an empty colonial house-the shabby but luxuriously big servant's quarters, the resounding concrete bare walls, the fan-cooled empty spaces... Sitting in the patio in the evenings allow you to enjoy the cool monsoon breeze. It's a welcome respite from a city of high-density living and a rejection of the simulated environments of the massive, themed condo developments.

Some black and whites have tennis courts and swimming pools as well. The ones near to Polo Club tend to have the largest grounds with the ultimate in privacy.