Architecture of Singapore
The front of the building usually has a covered area called the "five foot ways".  An 1822 law in Singapore said that all houses made of brick or tiles should be similar in the front.  They should have an open arcade making an open passage on each side of the street. This style of building shophouses soon spread to other states in British Malaya. More rules said that the verandah ways should be .at least seven feet from the edge of the road and the walkway must be at least five feet wide.