The China Baptist Publication Building

Address: 128 Huqiu Road

(Text with kind permission from Hudec.cn)

Locating at No. 209 Yuanmingyuan Road, China Baptist Publication Society Building was formerly known as Gospel Light Building, referring to the publication Gospel Light, by the Baptist organization. Now the building remains vacant.. Designed in September 1930 and completed in March 1932, the eight-storey reinforced concrete structure was engineered by BENGTLINDSKOG and constructed by the Qiaxing Constructing Firm.
Facing to the east, the façade features acute-angled vertical lines rolling along the parapets and setback on the top levels, all covered with dark brown brick tiles. All these are typical expressions of the Gothic Art Deco style of American skyscrapers at that time. The slim brick columns with stone cappings together with large glass windows between form a strong texture and pattern of light and shadow. The interior public space paved with terrazzo or mosaic, the flowing treatments to the ceilings, corner beads and use of light are all evidence of Modernism. Some important organizations, such as the Christian Publishing House, the China Baptist Publication Society, and Hujiang University occupied the Building successively. After 1932, Hudec’s firm was also moved into this Building.
The design of this building reveals the formation of Hudec’s individual architectural style, with a preference for Gothic Revival architectural features, particularly notable in the rich brickwork façade. It also witnesses his growth step by step as an ecletic architect able to work in a variety of architectural styles. (The building has been listed as Heritage Architecture of Shanghai since 1994.)

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