Pastoral Substation 公共基礎設施 by Hang Chen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 銀獎 in 基礎設施設計 Competition Category.

銀基礎設施· 2025

Pastoral Substation 公共基礎設施

by Hang Chen

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

A' Design Award 銀獎 Winner in 基礎設施 Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #172389

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Pastoral Substation 公共基礎設施

田園變電站將一座220千伏變電站轉化為開放的城市空間。項目設有太陽能板、動態裝置及綠色步道，融合清潔能源與生態設計。汲取場地的工業歷史與自然環境，項目提供活動場地及開放區域。此設計重新定義基礎設施為共享的公共資產，將變電站由孤立設施轉化為社區資源。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銀獎

Pastoral Substation 公共基礎設施是 A' Design Award 銀獎得主，這是授予頂級、華美而令人印象深刻的設計的極為崇高的認可。銀獎得主是極其卓越、極具創造力的作品，展現出其設計師傑出的專業技能、才華與敏銳。預計Pastoral Substation 公共基礎設施將成為一件出色的典範之作，兼具非凡的專業性與深刻的創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銀獎的設計是一項備受矚目、令人欽佩的發明，造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Pastoral Substation 公共基礎設施是一件令人羨慕的創作，它喚起渴望，帶來積極的情感，並激發驚嘆與讚嘆。

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