Saving a slice of heritage

Rong Zhai, the abode of the Rong's family has just been restored by a team comprising Italian and Chinese architects and craftsmen commissioned by Italian fashion house Prada. [Photos by Agostino Osio and Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

John Yung, the director of The Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank and great-grandson of Rong Zongjing, says: "Thanks to Prada for its promotion of the art of living and preservation of culture."

He says that his grandfather H.C. Yung, the youngest son of Rong Zongjing, came early this year to see the house.

"It was a very emotional visit. He saw how this house was being transformed back into the old house he grew up in. He had visited the house a few times, when it was used as a government office and later by Star TV. He was quite sad that the rooms were not in very good condition," says John Yung.

Commenting on the work, H.C. Yung says: "After 100 years, the residence was reduced from a magnificent house to an obsolete building. This renovation has been carried out in a very careful way. Even the walls and stained glass were given special care."

Zheng Shiling, a preservation expert from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, says that Prada's efforts to preserve the residence are an example for others to follow.

"The restoration of heritage architecture is costly and requires great skill. It's not simple repair. It needs redesign, structural reinforcements and functional updates. These kinds of historical buildings need companies or wealthy individuals who have the knowledge and can afford to care for them."

Prada has extensive experience in restoring historical architecture, including the renovation of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, and the palazzo Ca' Corner della Regina in Venice.

Responding to the comments, Prada, in a statement, says: "We have always drawn inspiration from the arts, not least of all architecture. The study of the practical, commercial, and historical implications of buildings has played an essential role to the development of Prada's practice, as we have been deeply involved in both contemporary architectural experimentation and meticulous historic preservation.

"China, the country itself and the European perception of it have maintained a valued place in the imagination of Prada. As our various cultural actives have expanded both through the fashion company and the Foundation Prada, we have searched for opportunities to extend our architectural and otherwise artistic explorations back to China. It was this imperative that led us to Rong Zhai, a historical landmark that can appropriately manifest our abiding commitment of Chinese culture."

Stefano Cantino, the Prada Group strategic marketing director, says Prada decided to restore Rong Zhai, because the company has always seen China as an opportunity, not just regarding commercial aspects and the market, but also culture. Also Prada Rong Zhai represents an opportunity to expand the architectural and artistic explorations of the brand to China and to manifest its commitment to Chinese culture through a dialogue between East and West.

He said, working side by side with Chinese historians, architects and artisans in the restoration of a building that is a symbol of Shanghai was an experience and a project that certainly helped to not only strengthen, but also better understand, deepen and develop Prada's ties with China in an area and a direction that go far beyond its core business.

chenjie@chinadaily.com.cn