Lilong: Fusion Community

This project focuses on the sustainable renewal of Shanghai’s Shikumen lilong residential communities by integrating waste-glass recycling with urban regeneration. Facing issues such as poor lighting, overcrowded layouts, and outdated infrastructure, these historically and culturally significant neighborhoods are under pressure from modernization and functional transformation. At the same time, large quantities of construction waste—especially glass—pose serious environmental challenges.



Grounded in sustainable development principles, the study proposes a complete system for recycling and reusing waste glass within Shikumen communities. Through material experimentation, design interventions, and a phased recovery plan, the project establishes a circular mechanism for glass regeneration. Waste glass is remelted at 800–1000 °C into glass bricks, which feature lower carbon emissions compared to traditional float glass production. These glass bricks enhance indoor daylighting and thermal comfort, significantly improving residents’ living experience.



The use of mobile production units allows on-site processing with low cost, flexibility, and minimal disruption, offering a viable pathway for fine-grained community renewal. By combining material recycling with community participation, the project proposes a new model of urban regeneration—centered on circular materials and co-governance—balancing historical preservation with contemporary living needs. This approach provides a replicable strategy for sustainable transformation in other historic urban districts.