Green Island Mestna Transformatorska Postaja by Xudong Zhu

Green Island Mestna Transformatorska Postaja by Xudong Zhu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Bronasta nagrada A' Design Award in Arhitektura, gradnja in oblikovanje konstrukcij Competition Category.

BronastaArhitektura· 2025

Green Island Mestna Transformatorska Postaja

by Xudong Zhu

Client: T.e.n

Bronasta nagrada A' Design Award Winner in Arhitektura Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Green Island Mestna Transformatorska Postaja

Transformatorska postaja združuje trajnostno zasnovo in mestno funkcionalnost ter na novo opredeljuje javno infrastrukturo. Njena dvoslojna fasada vključuje sončne panele na južni in vzhodni strani za energetsko učinkovitost, medtem ko sadilna korita na zelenih stenah obogatijo severno in zahodno stran. Južna fasada zmanjšuje hrupno onesnaževanje in preoblikuje območje v linijski park, s čimer ustvarja priložnosti za aktivnost pešcev in skupnostno interakcijo. Ta inovativni pristop izpostavlja, kako lahko ključna infrastruktura prispeva tako k okoljskemu kot družbenemu blagostanju.

The Recognition

About the Bronasta nagrada A' Design Award

Green Island Mestna Transformatorska Postaja je prejemnik Bronaste nagrade A' Design Award, zelo prestižnega priznanja, ki se podeljuje izjemnim oblikovanjem, ki se odlikujejo po ustvarjalnosti, iznajdljivosti in bistrosti. Prejemniki Bronaste nagrade so v celoti spretni in presenetljivo ustvarjalni artefakti, ki potrjujejo bogate izkušnje, domišljijo in zvitost svojih oblikovalcev. Od Green Island Mestna Transformatorska Postaja se pričakuje, da bo visoko cenjen, občudovan in ljubljen predmet, opazno profesionalen in inovativen. To oblikovanje, nagrajeno z Bronasto nagrado A' Design Award, vključuje najboljše prakse v umetnosti, znanosti, oblikovanju in tehnologiji ter je odlično po pozornosti do podrobnosti. Green Island Mestna Transformatorska Postaja sijajno zadovoljuje potrebe, se dotika želja, očara čustva in vzbuja radovednost.

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