Pastoral Substation Infrastructure Publique by Hang Chen

Pastoral Substation Infrastructure Publique by Hang Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award d'Argent in Infrastructure Competition Category.

ArgentInfrastructure· 2025

Pastoral Substation Infrastructure Publique

by Hang Chen

Client: WE-Me Group of Shenzhen Water Planning & Design Institute Co., Ltd.

A' Design Award d'Argent Winner in Infrastructure Category

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Verified Award Winner

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The Design

About Pastoral Substation Infrastructure Publique

Pastoral Substation transforme une sous-station de 220 kV en un espace urbain ouvert. Il intègre des panneaux solaires, des dispositifs cinétiques et des sentiers verts, alliant énergie propre et éco-conception. Puisant dans le passé industriel du site et son environnement naturel, il offre des espaces événementiels et des zones de plein air. Le projet repense l'infrastructure comme un patrimoine civique commun, transformant la sous-station d'une installation isolée en une ressource communautaire.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award d'Argent

Pastoral Substation Infrastructure Publique est lauréat de l'A' Design Award d'Argent, une reconnaissance énormément prestigieuse décernée à des designs haut de gamme, superbes et impressionnants. Les lauréats Argent sont des œuvres tout à fait brillantes et extrêmement créatives qui illustrent l'expertise, le talent et la perspicacité remarquables de leurs concepteurs. Pastoral Substation Infrastructure Publique est censé être une œuvre merveilleuse, une vitrine de savoir-faire, remarquablement professionnelle et profondément innovante. Ce design lauréat de l'A' Design Award d'Argent est une invention très notable et admirée, qui sert l'art, la science, le design et la technologie et en repousse les limites. Pastoral Substation Infrastructure Publique est une création très enviée qui éveille les désirs, apporte des sentiments positifs et suscite émerveillement et étonnement.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

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.
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.
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.
Team Members: Hang Chen
Image Credits: Hang Chen