Rediscovering traditional Shanghai homes amid a concrete jungle
19 April 2009
South China Morning Post
Andrea Mingfai Chu, a Shanghai-born Hong Kong writer, has written a bilingual book on the modernisation of historic houses in Shanghai. Already published on the mainland and soon in Europe, it chronicles her three-year journey rediscovering traditional residences hidden in a jungle of skyscrapers. She says the book is not only a dedication to both her childhood memories in a lane house, and her mother, calligrapher Chik Kwok-wa, but to the people who love living in the city.
What raised your interest in historic houses in Shanghai?
I love Shanghai and feel my heart is always in the city. I was born in an early 1940s lane house, and even though my family moved to Hong Kong during my childhood, the house has left a deep impression. The memories - several families shared one narrow kitchen and bathroom - were not very beautiful, but this was a lively community where adults liked to talk and children played with each other. Today, however, people who live in tall buildings often avoid communicating with each other.
These houses captured my attention again when I switched jobs and returned to Shanghai in 2002 after having lived in Hong Kong, the United States and Beijing. The property market began to flourish at that time and there was a frenzy in new house purchases, but due to the influence of my friends I turned to old houses. Despite their shabby look, they usually have exquisite interiors. Most importantly, they have a history. None of the modern houses could ever touch my heart since I fell in love with old houses.
How did you come up with the idea of a book on the modern revival of old houses in the city?
Everything happened very naturally. The opportunity came when I was doing a monthly column in a prestigious mainland architecture and interior design magazine. I met the editor-in-chief while I was a diplomat at the US embassy in Beijing. I suggested the idea of presenting the interior designs of embassies in the capital, as each ambassador's residence was like a museum filled with cultural relics from their respective countries.
The column received unexpectedly good feedback from readers, but it was discontinued as I changed my job and moved to Shanghai. And a new column idea about Shanghai's historic houses popped into my mind. I found that many foreigners chose to live in historical and stylish houses, from doing some restoration and innovative designs for them. I was excited that those old houses - a symbol of Shanghai - had been well cherished by people, as they deserved to be. So as soon as the editors accepted this proposal, I started my exploration of those special houses in Shanghai.
A couple of years ago I had the valuable experience of working with Angelika Taschen as a special contributor to the book Living in China, which German company Taschen Books published. That experience was the inspirational catalyst for my book. One day, a Chinese publisher approached me and offered to put the columns into a book. The publisher said this title could be great to show to the world at the Frankfurt Book Fair to represent the modern China. In spite of the tough and time-consuming work, I decided to compile it in both Chinese and English to let more people around the world understand the city and its culture. Its copyright has also been sold to a European publishing company that has translated it into more languages and will issue it under the title Shanghai Interiors about June or July.
How did you like your experience of rediscovering those houses?
That was really enjoyable. On weekends, I either walked or rode my bicycle around the old neighbourhoods that evoked my childhood memories. I'm so glad that I found more historic houses being modernised. Each one's decor was unique. I also admire people's persistence because it usually takes a lot of time, money and energy for the redesign and renovation to be completed.
I was also so fortunate and privileged to become one such lucky person. I owned a piece - actually, a tiny first-floor apartment with a small garden - of the former French Concession during the buying frenzy on old houses, whose prices have increased sharply. The humble apartment was also in my book to share with readers.
What do you want to convey to readers in this book?
I think each city should have and preserve its own culture and history. Even with its soaring economic growth and tall skyscrapers, Shanghai will no longer be Shanghai if the old houses are demolished. During the interviews I did, we can see that in those old houses modern elements can coexist well with the historic ones. They were rejuvenated and suitable for living again after restoration, rather than merely preserved as museums.
And just as I mentioned in the foreword, this is a book about my friends who live and love living here. I think Shanghai has the environment to attract people from all over the world to come, live and love it. I understand that the city government has made some efforts in preserving and revamping the old houses. It's not easy work and costs a lot because of the humid climate. But I would like to encourage them to take further measures to protect this valuable historical architecture; otherwise, many people will leave.
I think the urban planning of the Lujiazui economic zone was a failure. The concrete jungle looks modern, but just like some designers and people who work there have complained, there is no convenient place for eating, socialising and entertainment. The area seems designed for robots.
You used to work as an auditor in a US accounting firm. Why did you switch?
I think writing has always been in my blood. My mum, who is now a famous Hong Kong calligrapher, Chik Kwok-wa, used to work as an editor in Shanghai.
I made the right decision to quit my auditing job. My enthusiasm drained away after two years, but I still cherish the experience, which has influenced my current working attitude, such as being efficient and paying attention to detail. I've also met some great people who have helped me successfully switch from being an auditor to a diplomat, and finally to being an author.
I really like this job, as time is more flexible and I can meet various kinds of people. And in my spare time, I also help foreign publishers and foreign magazines that deal with interior designs from China.
In my view, anyone who can make a comfortable living in a job one loves is the luckiest person in the world. My mum has achieved that and I, after making several choices, am also lucky enough to have found a job like that.
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