Green Island Fostáisiún Cumhachta Uirbeach by Xudong Zhu

Green Island Fostáisiún Cumhachta Uirbeach by Xudong Zhu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Duais Cré-umha A' Design Award in Dearadh Ailtireachta, Foirgníochta agus Struchtúir Competition Category.

Cré-umhaAiltireacht· 2025

Green Island Fostáisiún Cumhachta Uirbeach

by Xudong Zhu

Client: T.e.n

Duais Cré-umha A' Design Award Winner in Ailtireacht Category

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The Design

About Green Island Fostáisiún Cumhachta Uirbeach

Comhtháthaíonn an fostáisiún cumhachta dearadh inbhuanaithe agus feidhmiúlacht uirbeach chun bonneagar poiblí a athshainiú. Tá painéil ghréine ar a aghaidh dúbail-chraicinn ar an taobh theas agus thoir le haghaidh éifeachtúlacht fuinnimh, agus saibhríonn trochta plandála ar bhallaí glasa an taobh thuaidh agus thiar. Laghdaíonn an aghaidh theas truailliú torainn agus claoclaíonn sé an limistéar ina pháirc líneach, ag cruthú deiseanna do ghníomhaíocht choisithe agus d'idirghníomhaíocht phobail. Leagann an cur chuige nuálach seo béim ar an gcaoi ar féidir le bonneagar riachtanach cur le folláine chomhshaoil agus shóisialta araon.

The Recognition

About the Duais Cré-umha A' Design Award

Bhuaigh an dearadh Green Island Fostáisiún Cumhachta Uirbeach Duais Cré-umha A' Design Award, aitheantas an-ghradamach a bhronntar ar dhearaí sármhaithe a mbíonn cruthaitheacht, aireagacht agus géarchúis mar shaintréithe acu. Is déantúsáin ghlic agus chruthaitheacha go suntasach iad buaiteoirí Cré-umha a dhearbhaíonn taithí fhairsing, samhlaíocht agus acmhainneacht a ndearthóirí. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh an dearadh Green Island Fostáisiún Cumhachta Uirbeach ina rud a bhfuil an-mheas air, a n-ardaítear agus a ghráitear, atá thar a bheith gairmiúil agus nuálach. Ionchorpraíonn an dearadh seo a bhuaigh Duais Cré-umha A' Design Award na cleachtais is fearr san ealaín, san eolaíocht, sa dearadh agus sa teicneolaíocht, agus tá sé sármhaith as a aird ar mhionsonraí. Sásaíonn an dearadh Green Island Fostáisiún Cumhachta Uirbeach riachtanais go hálainn, bainíonn sé le mianta, cuireann sé draíocht ar mhothúcháin agus tarraingíonn sé fiosracht.

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