A black and white house is a white-painted bungalow of a distinguished style. White external walls with wood support painted in black, hence called the black and white house or the black and white bungalow. The black and white house was once commonly used to house European expatriates and colonial families in tropical colonies like Singapore. These families who live in a black and white house are most often from the British Empire, in the nineteenth century.

Pros and Cons of living in a Black And White House

As a black and white house is built for these British colonial families, it is easily more than a hundred years old. This means a higher level of maintenance for the black and white house. The black and white house still exist in Singapore and other former colonies. The image of the black and white house still suffer from some stigma owing to their association with colonialism. However, the black and white house can be modernised with renovations, equipped with modern sanitary facilities and air conditioning, and still serve as residences.

Due to its unique history, the black and white house retains a certain character. A traditional western restaurant, for example, might reside in a black and white house, as it provides a nostalgic atmosphere.