Giving historical buildings a new look while retaining their original essence has become a major project for a company, Cao Chen reports in Shanghai.

Cement might be a common construction material today, but the use of this seemingly mundane substance in old buildings can at times reveal interesting features to architects. "Cement is commonly stored in bags these days. But a century ago, it was such a rare and expensive material that it was kept in barrels. When you see historical garden houses in Shanghai with cement structures, it means their developers or owners were wealthy," says Gu Zhifeng, general manager of Shanghai Xufang Construction Industry Co.

Hidden details are part of reasons behind Gu's passion in restoring old buildings. He has been doing this for 14 years. Such details also help him to determine how he goes about giving ancient structures a new breath of life while also retaining their original charm.

Established in 1990, the company is one of many enterprises enlisted by the municipal government to restore historical buildings that have fallen into disrepair. The company's latest major undertaking is the restoration of buildings in a 2.8-square-kilometer zone in the former French concession area. A part of the Hengfu historical and cultural area, which has a history dating back to the time when the city opened its port to foreign trade in the 1900s, this zone has many old buildings, some of which were once homes of famous personalities such as the Chinese author Ba Jin (1904-2005).

Many buildings in this zone have been listed as historical structures under government protection.

"This unique cluster of modern buildings is believed to be the largest of its kind in the city. It is special as it features buildings that integrate Chinese architectural styles with Western facades," Gu says. "However, most buildings are predominantly built with wood and brick, not concrete. This means they can be easily damaged by woodworm infestation or high humidity. It's our duty to preserve these traces of history, with a focus on craftwork and architectural design. We're here to give new life to the structures."