Green Island Sottostazzjoni tal-Elettriku Urbana by Xudong Zhu

Green Island Sottostazzjoni tal-Elettriku Urbana by Xudong Zhu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Premju A' Design Award tal-Bronż in Disinn tal-Arkitettura, Bini u Strutturi Competition Category.

BronżArkitettura· 2025

Green Island Sottostazzjoni tal-Elettriku Urbana

by Xudong Zhu

Client: T.e.n

Premju A' Design Award tal-Bronż Winner in Arkitettura 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 Sottostazzjoni tal-Elettriku Urbana

Is-sottostazzjoni tal-elettriku tintegra disinn sostenibbli u funzjonalità urbana biex tirridefinixxxi l-infrastruttura pubblika. Il-faċċata b'ġilda doppja tagħha fiha pannelli solari fin-nofsinhar u fil-lvant għal effiċjenza enerġetika, filwaqt li ħofrijet taż-żrieragħ fuq ħitan ħodor jarrikkixxu t-tramuntana u l-punent. Il-faċċata tan-nofsinhar tnaqqas it-tniġġis tal-ħoss u ttrasforma ż-żona f'park lineari, u toħloq opportunitajiet għal attività pedonali u interazzjoni komunitarja. Dan l-approċċ innovattiv jenfasizza kif l-infrastruttura essenzjali tista' tikkontribwixxi kemm għall-benessri ambjentali kif ukoll għal dak soċjali.

The Recognition

About the Premju A' Design Award tal-Bronż

Green Island Sottostazzjoni tal-Elettriku Urbana huwa rebbieħ tal-Premju A' Design Award tal-Bronż, rikonoxximent prestiġjuż ħafna mogħti lil disinji eċċellenti ddistingwuti mill-kreattività, l-ingenwità u l-għaqal. Ir-rebbieħa tal-Bronż huma xogħlijiet bi ħila biżżejjed u kreattivi b'mod impressjonanti li jawtentikaw l-esperjenza vasta, l-immaġinazzjoni u l-ħila ta' riżorsi tad-disinjaturi tagħhom. Huwa mistenni li Green Island Sottostazzjoni tal-Elettriku Urbana ikun oġġett imqabbar ħafna, mammirat u maħbub, notevolment professjonali u innovattiv. Dan id-disinn rebbieħ tal-Bronż jinkorporaw l-aħjar prattiki fl-arti, ix-xjenza, id-disinn u t-teknoloġija u huwa eċċellenti fl-attenzjoni għad-dettalji. Green Island Sottostazzjoni tal-Elettriku Urbana jissodisfa l-ħtiġijiet b'mod eċċellenti, imiss ix-xewqat, jinċanta s-sentimenti u jattira l-kurżità.

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