Green Island Fo-stèisean Cumhachd Cathrach by Xudong Zhu

Green Island Fo-stèisean Cumhachd Cathrach by Xudong Zhu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Duais Umha A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Ailtireachd, Togalaichean agus Structaran Competition Category.

UmhaAiltireachd· 2025

Green Island Fo-stèisean Cumhachd Cathrach

by Xudong Zhu

Client: T.e.n

Duais Umha A' Design Award Winner in Ailtireachd Category

18,431

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #166588

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Green Island Fo-stèisean Cumhachd Cathrach

Tha am fo-stèisean cumhachd a' filleadh a-steach dealbhadh seasmhach agus comas bailteil gus bun-structar poblach ath-mhìneachadh. Tha aghaidh craicinn dhùbailte an togalaich a' taisbeanadh phannalan grèine air a' cheann a deas agus air an ear airson èifeachdas lùtha, agus tha truinnsichean planntachaidh air ballachan uaine a' saoibhreachadh a' cheann a tuath agus an iar. Tha aghaidh a' cheann a deas a' lùghdachadh truailleadh fuaim agus ag atharrachadh na sgìre gu pàirc shreathach, a' cruthachadh chothroman airson gnìomhachd luchd-coiseachd agus eadar-obrachadh coimhearsnachd. Tha an dòigh-obrach nuadh-ghnàthach seo a' soilleireachadh mar as urrainn do bhun-structar riatanach cur ri soirbheachas àrainneachdail is sòisealta.

The Recognition

About the Duais Umha A' Design Award

Tha Green Island Fo-stèisean Cumhachd Cathrach air Duais Umha A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh gu math urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean sònraichte a tha air an comharrachadh le cruthachalachd, innleachd agus geurchuis. Tha buannaichean Umha nan obraichean gu math sgileil agus gu sònraichte cruthachail a dhearbhas eòlas farsaing, mac-meanmna agus tapachd an luchd-dealbhaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Green Island Fo-stèisean Cumhachd Cathrach na nì air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach, a tha gu sònraichte proifeiseanta agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Umha A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr ann an ealain, saidheans, dealbhadh agus teicneolas an gnìomh, agus tha e sàr-mhath airson an aire do mhion-fhiosrachadh. Bidh Green Island Fo-stèisean Cumhachd Cathrach a' sàsachadh fheumalachdan gu h-iongantach, a' suathadh ri miannan, a' tàladh faireachdainnean agus a' togail fiosrachd.

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