Singapore Sketchbook: The Restoration of a City

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful sketches of Singapore architecture
Review: The watercolours of colonial architecture by Graham Byfield do greater justice than mimetic photography in this instance. There is a nostalgic quality that is retained by preserving images of old Singapore buildings - some of which are no longer with us, such as the Katong Red Bakery, in this manner.

Great attention is paid to detailing, such as in the Chinese Baroque facades of the terrace houses ("shophouses') in the Blair Rd district.

As an added bonus, there are many little vignettes scattered around recording life in Singapore in the mid 80s - coffee shop life, ice cream street carts etc.

For anyone who loves Colonial and Straits Chinese Singapore architecture, this book makes a lovely keepsake.