Glass Bricks System Design | 2016

Guisui Street, once infamous for its concentration of brothels, served as a Red Light District during the Japanese occupation, catering to middle and lower-class workers. The Wen Meng Building on Guisui Street holds a significant historical background as a former brothel. However, in 1997, the government abolished prostitution, leading to the preservation of Wen Meng Building as a historic monument. In recent years, the proposed demolition of this building has sparked intense controversy. The primary reason for the debate stems from its location in a commercial area, making it highly valuable real estate. The original structure featured a sex service area on the ground floor and a teahouse on the second floor. In the planning process, I consider the building to possess educational value for the public, and envision it being transformed into a multifunctional space with diverse programs. These spaces are constructed using both structural and partition brick walls, with a design approach that involves adjusting these walls to create complex spatial configurations. 

The row of street houses typically consists of two to three-story buildings. I have chosen to preserve the original brick façade while incorporating a new wall system. The renovated building will become a convention center open to the public, serving as a gathering place for promoting and sharing common interests. The new façade system employs glass bricks that allow ample sunlight to penetrate the interior. The arrangement of these glass bricks on the façade involves adjusting their size, angles, and degree of openness. Special metal casting components will be utilized to install this new system onto the existing structure. Each glass block will be prefabricated in the factory, featuring perforations within the blocks to accommodate steel cables that connect the bricks together. 

The reimagined Wen Meng Building will feature a lobby, an exhibition area, a government office, a courtyard, and a convention center. Visitors can watch a historical documentary in the lobby. The central courtyard, which allows a gentle breeze and natural light to filter into the building, serves as a transitional space for visitors to relax and enjoy the sunlight that permeates through translucent glass bricks. After a break, visitors can follow a circular route to the top floor, where they can witness public conferences through transparent glass blocks. 

The revitalized historical building will serve as a meeting space and educational center for the public, benefiting from its proximity to three schools. Additionally, I envision it becoming a successful model for renovation and urban revitalization, breathing new life into social contexts. Urban renewal can be accomplished not only through complete demolition but also through selective renovations aimed at improving the quality of space. In this case, the architectural value is enhanced primarily by improving the façade system. 

By utilizing digital skills to visualize the design, I have reimagined the Wen Meng Building as a thriving hub for public engagement, cultural exploration, and architectural innovation. The preservation of its historical significance, combined with thoughtful design interventions, will transform it into a symbol of urban renewal and a testament to the power of adaptive reuse.