Silver Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure Design · 2025
Pastoral Substation Public Infrastructure
by Hang Chen
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: WE-Me Group of Shenzhen Water Planning & Design Institute Co., Ltd.
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 33,400
- Verification code F47799975B · Verify this award
About Pastoral Substation Public Infrastructure
Pastoral Substation converts a 220kV substation into an open urban space. It features solar panels, kinetic devices, and green paths, blending clean energy with eco design. Drawing from the site's industrial past and natural surroundings, it provides event venues and field zones. The project reimagines infrastructure as a shared civic asset, turning the substation from an isolated facility into a community resource.
Within the evolving discourse surrounding infrastructure aesthetics and ecological urbanism, Hang Chen's Pastoral Substation Public Infrastructure emerges as a compelling exemplar of how essential utility installations might transcend their purely functional origins to become generators of public value and landscape enhancement. The project appears to engage thoughtfully with contemporary conversations regarding the integration of necessary technological systems within pastoral and suburban contexts, demonstrating that power distribution facilities need not exist as visual intrusions demanding screening and concealment but may instead become anchoring elements of thoughtfully designed public landscapes. The compositional sophistication evident in this aerial documentation reveals careful attention to the relationship between geometric precision and organic flow, where the rectilinear substation buildings, finished in white perforated cladding with strategic vermillion accents, establish dialogue with the sinuous waterway that defines the site's western boundary. Particularly noteworthy is the deployment of productive landscape strategies, wherein the surrounding terrain transforms into luminous fields of flowering rapeseed that simultaneously provide ecological habitat, agricultural productivity, and extraordinary visual amenity. The incorporation of renewable energy infrastructure through rooftop photovoltaic installations demonstrates commitment to operational sustainability while adding visual interest through the deep blue-violet surfaces that complement the warm golden tones of surrounding vegetation. The hexagonal waterfront pavilion, with its cellular geometry suggesting both natural honeycomb structures and contemporary parametric design investigations, exemplifies the project's commitment to public amenity, offering gathering space and recreational opportunity where mere infrastructure might otherwise preclude human engagement. The adjacent sports facilities, rendered in cheerful coral, turquoise, and cream geometric patterns, further underscore this programmatic generosity. What meaning might viewers discover in this synthesis of utility and beauty, and how might such approaches inform our collective imagination regarding the possibilities for infrastructure that serves both practical necessity and community aspiration?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Pastoral Substation reimagines a 220kV power facility in Shanghai’s Minhang District, transforming it into an ecological and educational urban space. By integrating photovoltaic installations, kinetic energy devices, and interactive landscapes, the project merges renewable energy with public engagement. The design blurs boundaries between infrastructure and nature, redefining the substation as a sustainable community asset, fostering environmental awareness and urban connectivity.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The site spans 1.21 hectares, integrating substation infrastructure with eco-friendly landscapes and public engagement areas. A coordinated 3.49-hectare greenbelt enhances connectivity. Elevated walkways, solar canopies, and pedestrian pathways optimize multi-layered experiences, linking water, land, and energy systems. The design preserves natural elements, incorporating interactive learning spaces and sustainable mobility networks, setting a new standard for energy-conscious urban renewal.
- Tags
- Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, Urban Regeneration, Public Space, Ecological Landscape, Sustainable Design
- Production Technology
- The project employs solar panels, wind-powered installations, and rainwater collection systems to enhance sustainability. Locally sourced materials like steel, concrete, and timber ensure durability and contextual integration. Passive design strategies optimize natural ventilation and daylighting, reducing energy consumption. The landscape incorporates permeable surfaces and native vegetation, creating a resilient, self-sustaining environment that blends technology with ecological consciousness.
- Design Challenge
- The challenge was to transform a traditionally enclosed substation into a dynamic, community-friendly space while maintaining its technical functionality. Balancing security, accessibility, and energy efficiency required innovative spatial configurations. The design overcomes these constraints by integrating controlled public access zones, interactive elements, and renewable energy solutions, redefining infrastructure as a sustainable urban asset.
- Project Duration
- Located in Minhang District, Shanghai, China, the project aligns with Shanghai’s sustainable urban development initiatives. The transformation supports long-term ecological integration, enhancing urban resilience and energy-conscious city planning.
- Operation Flow
- Visitors engage with renewable energy exhibits, interactive solar installations, and pedestrian-friendly networks. Kinetic energy pathways generate power through movement, reinforcing sustainability education. The space fosters community interaction through workshops, guided tours, and public events. By redefining infrastructure as an accessible learning environment, the project transforms a once-isolated facility into an active, inclusive urban landmark.
- Research
- The project explores the convergence of urban infrastructure and ecological sustainability. Through studies on renewable energy integration, community engagement, and adaptive landscape strategies, it establishes a replicable model for substation renewal. The research emphasizes low-carbon construction, multi-functional green spaces, and innovative energy use, ensuring infrastructure aligns with environmental and social needs.
- Inspiration
- Inspired by Shanghai’s ambition for sustainable infrastructure, the project revitalizes an industrial site into a green, interactive environment. The design integrates technological innovation with ecological strategies, drawing from the region’s agrarian and water-based heritage. By incorporating renewable energy and adaptive reuse, it envisions a future where essential infrastructure harmonizes with public life, reinforcing the city’s commitment to green urbanism.
- Image Credits
- Hang Chen
Colors of Pastoral Substation Public Infrastructure
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G0E3 ShopDesign Interview about Pastoral Substation Public Infrastructure
The main principle behind Pastoral Substation is the transformation of conventional energy infrastructure into an open, ecological, and civic space. The project draws inspiration from the coexistence of technology and nature — reinterpreting the industrial landscape through the lens of sustainability and community engagement. Inspired by the pastoral imagery of fields and sunlight, the design merges renewable energy facilities with public amenities, creating a living environment where clean energy and human activity flow together harmoniously.
The design focuses on reimagining a high-voltage substation — typically a closed, “neighbor-avoided” facility — into a welcoming and educational urban destination. The goal was to dissolve physical and psychological boundaries between infrastructure and daily life, transforming the substation into a civic landscape that demonstrates renewable energy in action. The project aims to shift public perception from “industrial exclusion” to “shared participation.”
The vision for Pastoral Substation extends beyond a single project. It serves as a prototype for future transformations of utility infrastructures into public assets. I plan to collaborate with municipal governments and energy companies to replicate this model in other urban and rural contexts, adapting the framework to local ecology and community needs.
The conceptual design process took approximately six months, including site analysis, urban context studies, and the development of spatial and technical integration schemes. Further refinement and stakeholder consultation continued during subsequent months of environmental assessment and urban design coordination.
The project was commissioned as part of a public initiative to improve the environmental and spatial quality of existing infrastructure in Shanghai’s Minhang District. However, the concept evolved beyond functional improvement — it became an inspired exploration of how infrastructure can act as a living organism within the city, reflecting the ideals of low-carbon urbanism and civic inclusivity.
The design was developed for a public sector client in collaboration with a regional power company. Implementation is coordinated with utility providers, landscape contractors, and renewable energy partners. The intellectual framework of Pastoral Substation remains adaptable for future licensing or cooperative replication in other municipalities.
As an urban planner and architect, I have long been interested in the intersection of energy systems and public space. Substations, though critical to urban life, are often hidden or fenced off. This project offered an opportunity to question that separation — to create a typology where infrastructure participates in civic and ecological renewal rather than isolation.
Influences include the landscape urbanism movement and adaptive reuse projects by firms such as Diller Scofidio + Renfro and West 8, who explore the soft interface between ecology, technology, and public life. Additionally, the conceptual approach draws from art installations and kinetic urban interventions that visualize energy flows in the environment.
The primary “customer” is the urban community itself — residents, students, and visitors who engage with the substation as an educational and recreational space. On the institutional level, the project targets municipal governments, energy companies, and urban development agencies interested in sustainable, community-oriented infrastructure transformation.
Unlike traditional infrastructure beautification projects, Pastoral Substation fundamentally redefines the substation’s social role. It integrates renewable energy systems, kinetic devices, and landscape elements into an interactive and educational experience. The design not only conceals industrial structures but celebrates them as part of a living ecological cycle.
The name Pastoral Substation symbolizes the transformation of an industrial site into a pastoral landscape. “Pastoral” evokes tranquility, nature, and rural imagery — a poetic contrast to the technical reality of a power facility. The juxtaposition of “pastoral” and “substation” reflects the project’s ambition to reconcile human, natural, and industrial elements in one harmonious environment.
The design process utilized a combination of digital and analog tools, including AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, Lumion, and Adobe Creative Suite for visualization and presentation. GIS and environmental simulation software were used to analyze solar orientation, pedestrian flow, and green coverage efficiency. Hand sketching and physical modeling were employed for spatial ideation.
The most unique aspect is the fusion of renewable energy infrastructure with public urban life. Instead of hiding energy systems, the project makes them visible, educational, and interactive. This transparency transforms infrastructure into a cultural and ecological asset — a living classroom for sustainability.
Yes. The project was realized through close collaboration between urban planners, landscape architects, power engineers, and environmental consultants. Electrical engineers provided insights on safety and grid integration, while environmental experts advised on sustainable materials and ecological restoration strategies.
Technology plays both a functional and expressive role. Solar panels, kinetic devices, and interactive lighting systems make renewable energy visible and experiential. Smart monitoring technology provides real-time data on energy generation and environmental conditions, enhancing public understanding of clean energy processes.
Yes. The design was informed by site data analysis, including microclimate patterns, noise levels, pedestrian accessibility, and existing vegetation mapping. Research into the lifecycle and visual impact of substation components guided spatial strategies. Benchmark studies of international infrastructure reuse projects also shaped the design logic.
The main challenge was balancing safety and openness — ensuring the substation met technical and security requirements while remaining publicly accessible. Coordinating between utility companies and urban agencies also required extensive negotiation to redefine operational boundaries and responsibilities.
The decision to submit to the A’ Design Award came from a desire to share an alternative vision of infrastructure design globally. The project represents a new civic typology with relevance beyond its local context, aligning with A’ Design’s mission to promote innovation, sustainability, and social impact.
This project deepened my understanding of infrastructure as a social and cultural entity, not just a technical necessity. It strengthened my ability to integrate ecological design, public engagement, and engineering collaboration into a coherent vision — and reinforced my belief that design can catalyze community transformation.
Pastoral Substation is more than a site-specific design — it’s a strategic framework for transforming the relationship between people and infrastructure. It proposes a future in which energy systems are not hidden behind fences but celebrated as shared, educational, and beautiful parts of everyday urban life.
Grand Interview about Pastoral Substation Public Infrastructure
The concept originated from Shanghai’s dual identity — a city of industrial progress and ecological aspiration. Traditionally, substations are isolated technical facilities, hidden from public life. Our vision was to reinterpret this typology by transforming it into a landscape of energy and ecology. Drawing inspiration from Shanghai’s industrial heritage, we preserved the site’s functional core but overlaid it with public accessibility, green infrastructure, and educational value. This approach reflects the city’s ambition to evolve from industrial production to sustainable innovation — turning infrastructure into an open, participatory, and human-centered urban space.
Balancing security and public engagement required a dual-layered spatial strategy. The operational core of the 220kV substation remains strictly protected, while a surrounding buffer landscape integrates solar panels, kinetic pavements, and educational installations that visualize energy flow. The photovoltaic canopy both shades public areas and produces power, symbolizing the site’s active role in clean energy generation. Meanwhile, kinetic devices embedded along pedestrian paths allow visitors to physically participate in energy creation. This choreography of movement, light, and energy transforms a purely technical environment into a living classroom — where people experience infrastructure as both functional and inspiring.
We were inspired by the idea of “flowing energy” — both electrical and human. The multi-layered design expresses this dynamic through elevated walkways, bridges, and viewing decks that weave above and around the substation’s core. These paths not only ensure safe distance from critical equipment but also provide immersive views of the green roofs, solar fields, and kinetic installations. The layered spatial system encourages exploration and reinterpretation, transforming what was once a restricted area into a field of discovery. In essence, visitors traverse the site as if walking through an evolving landscape of energy, time, and nature.
Permeable pavements and native plantings were introduced not only for ecological performance but also as didactic elements in environmental education. The permeable surfaces mitigate runoff and improve groundwater recharge, turning the site into a functioning sponge within the city’s hydrological network. Native vegetation — carefully selected to reflect the regional ecology — requires minimal maintenance while supporting pollinators and seasonal biodiversity. Informational signage and guided tour routes invite the public to learn about these systems in action, turning the landscape into an open-air ecological laboratory that teaches sustainability through direct experience.
The primary challenge was ensuring safety without alienation. High-voltage facilities demand strict security measures, yet our vision aimed for openness and civic engagement. We resolved this by creating a layered boundary system where the operational core is enclosed with a semi-transparent photovoltaic fence. This fence not only generates renewable energy but also softens the visual boundary, allowing light and shadow to filter through while maintaining full security compliance. Surrounding public zones are shaped by topographical transitions — berms, native vegetation, and gentle elevation changes — which define boundaries naturally rather than defensively. This approach transforms the idea of “containment” into one of coexistence, where energy production, ecological design, and community accessibility harmoniously intersect.
The interactive exhibits serve as translators of energy — making the invisible processes of generation and transmission tangible. Kinetic energy floors convert pedestrian movement into electricity, powering nearby lights or digital displays that visualize real-time energy data. Solar-powered pavilions demonstrate the efficiency of photovoltaic systems, while small-scale wind installations showcase the diversity of renewable sources. Each feature was carefully placed outside the operational perimeter, ensuring zero interference with the substation’s functionality. This arrangement transforms infrastructure into education — a landscape where people learn by walking, touching, and participating in the rhythm of sustainable energy.
This project serves as a prototype for the post-industrial city, demonstrating that infrastructure can be both functional and public. Its low-carbon construction — achieved through recycled materials, solar integration, and modular components — provides a replicable model for sustainable transformation. As cities worldwide confront aging utilities, the project suggests a new paradigm: turning “gray zones” of industry into green, educational, and social assets. It invites planners, engineers, and citizens to imagine infrastructure not as a hidden necessity, but as a visible expression of collective environmental responsibility.
The project treats water, land, and energy as interdependent ecological systems rather than isolated components. Rainwater collected through permeable pavements nourishes green paths and cooling landscapes, while excess energy from solar panels supports on-site lighting and irrigation systems. This cyclical integration reflects a “closed-loop urban metabolism”, where waste and energy are continuously recycled within the site. By demonstrating these principles visibly, the project challenges conventional infrastructure design and proposes a more symbiotic urban model — one where sustainability is lived, seen, and experienced in everyday spaces.
Public interaction revealed a powerful insight: transparency builds trust. When people understand how infrastructure functions — where electricity comes from, how green energy is produced, and how safety is ensured — they develop both curiosity and respect. The workshops and tours allowed residents, students, and professionals to experience the substation as a shared civic resource, not an off-limits danger zone. This shift in perception transforms “NIMBY” attitudes into civic pride, proving that participatory infrastructure design can deepen environmental awareness and foster community ownership of public systems.
The project’s most influential aspect is its reinterpretation of infrastructure as landscape. By embedding energy systems within accessible, educational, and ecologically active environments, we demonstrate a new civic typology — the pastoral infrastructure. It represents a vision where power stations, water plants, and waste facilities are not hidden but celebrated as vital parts of urban life. This integration of function, form, and public engagement will influence future developments to embrace openness, sustainability, and shared identity — transforming the backbone of cities into living frameworks of culture and community.