Green Island Hiriko Energia Azpiestazioa by Xudong Zhu

Green Island Hiriko Energia Azpiestazioa by Xudong Zhu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award in Arkitektura, Eraikin eta Egitura Diseinua Competition Category.

BrontzeArkitektura· 2025

Green Island Hiriko Energia Azpiestazioa

by Xudong Zhu

Client: T.e.n

Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Arkitektura Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Green Island Hiriko Energia Azpiestazioa

Energia azpiestazioak diseinu jasangarria eta hiri funtzionaltasuna integratzen ditu azpiegitura publikoa birdefinitzeko. Bere azal bikoitzeko fatxadak eguzki panelak ditu hegoaldean eta ekialdean energia eraginkortasunerako, eta landare-artesiak horma berdeetan iparraldean eta mendebaldean. Hegoaldeko fatxadak zarata kutsadura murrizten du eta eremua parke lineal bihurtzen du, oinezkoen jarduerarako eta komunitatearen elkarrekintzarako aukerak sortuz. Ikuspegi berritzaile honek azpiegitura funtsezkoek ingurumenaren eta gizarte ongizatearen alde nola lagun dezaketen nabarmentzen du.

The Recognition

About the Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award

Green Island Hiriko Energia Azpiestazioa Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, sormenak, asmamenak eta zorroztasunak bereizten dituzten diseinu bikainei ematen zaien aitorpen oso prestijiotsua. Brontze-mailako irabazleak trebetasunez beteriko eta nabarmenki sortzaileak diren artefaktuak dira, beren diseinatzaileen esperientzia zabala, irudimena eta ekimena egiaztatzen dutenak. Green Island Hiriko Energia Azpiestazioa oso estimatua, miretsia eta maitea den objektua izatea espero da, nabarmenki profesionala eta berritzailea dena. Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu honek artearen, zientziaren, diseinuaren eta teknologiaren praktika onenak biltzen ditu eta xehetasunei ematen dien arretagatik bikaina da. Green Island Hiriko Energia Azpiestazioa beharrak bikain asetzen dituen, desirak ukitzen dituen, sentimenduak xarmatzen dituen eta jakin-mina erakartzen duen lana da.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The power substation uses a double-skin facade to create a “breathing, growing, and energy-storing” Green Island, blending infrastructure with vibrant public space. Solar panels on the south and east maximize energy efficiency, while the north and west feature green walls with planting troughs. The southern facade shields traffic noise and transforms the edge into a lively linear park, connecting neighborhoods and fostering community engagement.
Dimensions & Packaging: The project is located on a 50,000 mm x 70,000 mm site, with a total building height of 12,000 mm.
Tags: Green Island, Public Space, Urban Infrastructure, Ecological Design, Sustainability, Power Substation, Double-skin Facade
Production Technology: The design was developed using a research-driven approach, integrating sustainable strategies and advanced modeling techniques. A double-skin facade system was employed, combining solar photovoltaic panels on sun-facing sides for energy efficiency and perforated aluminum panels with planting troughs on shaded facades to foster biodiversity. Parametric design tools optimized the facade's performance, ensuring a balance between functionality, aesthetics, and ecological benefits.
Design Challenge: The hardest part was balancing strict regulations with innovative design. Local laws restricted changes to building footprints, limiting structural flexibility. Socially, the challenge was transforming a utilitarian substation into a community asset. Technologically, optimizing the double-skin facade for energy efficiency while supporting dynamic green walls required advanced simulations. Overcoming these obstacles involved integrating research, creativity, and stakeholder collaboration.
Research: This applied research aimed to transform infrastructure into vibrant public spaces, focusing on sustainability and urban connectivity. Using sunlight analysis, energy modeling, and environmental simulations, we gathered data with parametric tools. Community feedback and expert insights informed the design. Results showed solar panels enhance energy efficiency, while green walls improve air quality and biodiversity. The project highlights how infrastructure can unite ecological, social, and functional goals.
Inspiration: This project was inspired by a desire to blend essential infrastructure with urban vitality. Motivated by the potential to turn functional structures into assets for the city, I aimed to create a sustainable design that balances energy efficiency with ecological and social benefits. Drawing from research in green architecture, the project transforms a passive boundary into an active public space that fosters harmony between nature and the urban environment.
Project Duration: The project designed in September 2024 in Shanghai, China.
Operation Flow: This project combines energy efficiency and urban vitality by using solar panels on sunlit sides to generate power and adjustable panels that provide shade and shelter for pedestrians. The green walls grow with the seasons, creating a dynamic and eco-friendly facade. The design transforms the space into a welcoming park, reducing noise, improving air quality, and connecting neighborhoods, making it both functional and inviting for the community.
Image Credits: All credit to Xudong Zhu