Taiwan Glass Vacuum Glass Pavilion

This pavilion, set within a serene garden setting inside the Taiwan Glass production plant in Qingdao, China, is a showcase for the company's new line of high-performance insulated vacuum glass.

Insulated vacuum glass is an ultra-high-performance glass product with a U-value of just 0.48 W/m²K. Whilst a normal insulated glass typically comprises a 12mm air gap (sometimes also filled with argon gas), the vacuum glass has instead an incredibly thin 0.3 mm vacuum layer in between the layers of glass, providing approximately twice the insulation capacity with half the thickness of normal double insulated glazing. The outstanding insulation property of vacuum glass is particularly suited for application in the cold climate of northern coastal China in which Qingdao city is situated.

The architecture humbly comprises a 1/4 circular geometric form adapted into an existing garden setting. Mature pine, cherry blossom, rose bushes and magnolia trees anchor the surroundings. Wrapping closely around the edge of an existing circular pond - which is a centrepiece of the garden – the pavilion enables visitors to experience the visual, tactile and thermal performance qualities of vacuum glass in a calming natural setting.

Full-height glazed façade defines all four sides of the space, showcasing the maximum manufacturing dimensions, of approximately 1.6 m wide by 3.4 m high. The pavilion is carefully orientated so that it could be appreciated from different perspectives while connecting visually with the surrounding features. The long concave edge looks across the surface of the water towards the main office building of the factory. The long convex edge defines a kind of outer surface that is oriented towards the factory's production complex. The innate reflectivity of glass is entrusted to celebrate the pristine form of the pavilion.

Inside, the pavilion functions as a calming teahouse and an informal meeting space, intended for clients, visitors and also for internal conferences. The light filled interior space curves gently along the water's edge. A clear circular radial geometry visibly provides the underlying alignment rationale for all of the building's components, including columns, facade divisions/elements, floor tiling and internal lighting.