The Gallop Extension

Our “Click!” competition in January featured a beautiful black-and-white colonial building standing on a grassy ridge. That building is “Atbara”, one of two bungalows of historical and architectural significance that can be found in the Gallop Extension of the Botanic Gardens.

Atbara – today home to the Forest Discovery Centre – was built in 1898 by the renowned English architect Regent Alfred John (RAJ) Bidwell. He also designed the neighbouring bungalow, “Inverturret” (1906), which is now the Botanical Art Gallery. The two houses are located at 5 and 7 Gallop Road respectively.

Bidwell came to Singapore in 1895 and worked for 17 years for the architectural firm Swan and Maclaren. In that time, he contributed greatly to the Singaporean landscape, with a string of notable architectural landmarks – among them, the Goodwood Park Hotel, the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, Stamford House and, most famously, Raffles Hotel.

Atbara is considered Singapore’s oldest blackand-white house, even if it does feature some striking architectural departures from “regular” black-and-whites (Moorish arches, for example).

Before they became part of the extended Botanic Gardens, the two houses were for many years home to the French Embassy (Atbara) and the French Ambassador’s residence (Inverturret). Atbara is where Singaporeans looking to take a trip to France would go to organise a visa.

About the buildings today:

• Forest Discovery Centre – A showcase of Singapore’s forest ecosystems through interpretive and interactive displays, including a photographic installation of forest trees.

• Botanical Art Gallery – Home to Singapore’s first permanent display of botanical art, including a selection of more than 2,000 paintings, sketches, line drawings and photographs.