Experts in Old Building Renovation Hired

To design Shanghai Xintiandi, the Shui On Group hired the services of Wood and Zapata Inc, a US-based architectural firm specialized in renovating old buildings, and the Singapore office of Nikken Sekkei International Ltd. Shanghai Tongji University's Urban Planning, Design and Research Institute is its architectural consultant. The designers needed to consider Xintiandi from several perspectives: the importance of preserving historical buildings, the need for urban development, as well as functional considerations of the buildings.

Most of the old Shikumen buildings on the northern plot have been restored and complemented by some appropriate modern buildings. The southern plot is mainly made up of new constructions in a contemporary style, mixed with a small number of preserved Shikumen buildings. A pedestrian path links up the northern and southern plots.

Restoring the Shikumen Houses

The area previously housed about 2,300 families, amounting to more than 8,000 people. The Shui On Group has invested over RMB 600 million (about US$75 million) to relocate these residents. The Shikumen houses have been restored to meet the aesthetic and practical needs of the new tenants. All the Shikumen houses at Xintiandi are equipped with the latest modern facilities, including concealed fibre-optic and air-conditioning systems, to ensure maximum efficiency and reliability. Yet many original architectural features had been retained. The dry brick-wall, a specific feature of Shikumen houses, is one example.

Preserving the Original Bricks and Tiles

In order to reflect Shikumen's true history, the original bricks and tiles have been preserved as rebuilding materials. The old bricks and tiles were primarily laid with a costly moisture proof chemical fluid imported from Germany. Before the roofs were paved, they were covered with two layers of waterproofing and heat insulation materials. The price for these old bricks and tiles proved far higher than that of new ones.

Installing Modern Facilities in Old Buildings

Shikumen-style houses formed the basis of the "Li Long" (lane) community where private spheres and public spaces overlapped. In this community, everyone knew everyone else's business. As the density of the community rose, some family activities were often moved to public spaces.

The Xintiandi project represents not simply a restoration of Shikumen to its original form, but a cultural and historical return to its original spirit.