Supermarket-style architecture: a new attraction with a traditional market vibe infused with literary flair

Text by / Scenic Spot Family compiled report 
 
Taipei’s Dalong Market was originally an old, rundown seaside sand building. Through a collaboration between the Taipei City Government and related agencies, it has been redesigned to incorporate the forms of nearby traditional architecture, resulting in an innovative structure with a literary and artistic style. The project has created a high-quality shopping space. After a one-month trial operation, it officially opened on December 13.

Located on the first floor of the Dalong Community and Market Building, the old structure was identified as a seaside sand building by the Taipei City Civil Engineers Association in November 2011. The building exhibited issues such as exposed rusted steel bars, concrete peeling, severe water leakage, and falling exterior wall tiles, posing significant safety risks to residents and nearby inhabitants. Dalong Market is the first case in Taipei of a seaside sand building being demolished and rebuilt, as well as a publicly funded urban renewal project, making it a landmark initiative.

In addition to incorporating fully modernized equipment and pipelines, Dalong Market also integrates motifs from nearby temples, blending the traditional market with a literary and artistic aesthetic. From environmental facilities to signage, everything is more modernized.

The area surrounding the market once had many buildings from the Japanese colonial era, where "dinggua" bricks were a commonly used material. Therefore, the exterior walls of Dalong Market feature traditional dinggua brick elements, evoking historical sentiment. These bricks come in various textures—including rock surface, ribbed surface, and flat surface patterns—and are presented in different colors to create layered visual effects. Upon completion, the building showcases a refined, delicate design with rhythmic variation, as well as a rich historical texture that feels handcrafted.

After undergoing trial operations, the overall environment of Dalong Market resembles a “supermarket.” The space is spacious, bright, and clean, with raw and cooked food stalls clearly divided into northern and southern sections. Shoppers no longer need to dodge blood or puddles as they did before. The air is fresh, and the circular floor plan offers simple and clear circulation, eliminating the risk of getting lost.