Urban Power Substation
Green Island

Urban Power Substation for T.E.N

The power substation integrates sustainable design and urban functionality to redefine public infrastructure. Its double skin facade features solar panels on the south and east for energy efficiency, while planting troughs on green walls enrich the north and west. The southern facade reduces noise pollution and transforms the area into a linear park, creating opportunities for pedestrian activity and community interaction. This innovative approach highlights how essential infrastructure can contribute to both environmental and social well-being.

Xudong Zhu 2025 Professional Bronze Press Kit № 166588

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Green Island by Xudong Zhu
Green Island by Xudong Zhu

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Urban Power Substation by Xudong Zhu
Urban Power Substation by Xudong Zhu

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Xudong Zhu Green Island
Xudong Zhu Green Island

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

This 1800-pixel image adapts to your print needs: sharp and detailed at 6 inches with 300 DPI, it transitions smoothly to 12 inches at 150 DPI, preserving visual quality. Press credentials grant access to download high-res, watermark-free images. Alternatively, download a low-res version instantly. Details on photo contributions are located in the Image Credits Section.

Xudong Zhu Urban Power Substation
Xudong Zhu Urban Power Substation

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Leverage the high resolution of this 1800-pixel image for detailed, vibrant prints. At 300 DPI, it's ideal for up to 6 inches; at 150 DPI, it scales beautifully to 12 inches. High-res images, watermark-free, are yours with press accreditation; or grab a low-res copy now, no wait required. For photo credit information, refer to the Image Credits Section.

T E NBrand Logo
T E NBrand Logo

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

This 1800-pixel image adapts to your print needs: sharp and detailed at 6 inches with 300 DPI, it transitions smoothly to 12 inches at 150 DPI, preserving visual quality. Press pass? Download high-res, watermark-free images. Or, get immediate access to low-res images without accreditation. Photo credits are listed in the Image Credits Section.

Design Newswire
Green Island Urban Power Substation Press Releases

Availability alert: Press releases for Green Island in languages including English.


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.

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.

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.

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.

Image Credits

All credit to Xudong Zhu

Project Overview

Green Island Urban Power Substation has been a Bronze winner in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

 Award Logo
Bronze Recognition

Xudong Zhu was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Green Island Urban Power Substation.

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Xudong Zhu Press Releases

Access a rich repository of press releases on Xudong Zhu, offered to press and media professionals for unrestricted use in their stories. Available now: 1 press releases ready for immediate access by journalists.


Green Island Power Substation Wins Bronze A' Design Award for Sustainable Urban Integration

Xudong Zhu's Green Island project, completed in September 2024 in Shanghai, reimagines the urban power substation as a vibrant public space, blending energy efficiency, ecological design, and community engagement. Awarded Bronze in the 2025 A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award, the project demonstrates how essential infrastructure can enhance both environmental and social well-being in dense city environments.


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Xudong Zhu Newsroom

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You are currently viewing Media Showcase № 166588. Dive into Xudong Zhu's newsroom to find their best work, alongside a wealth of high-res images, interviews, and essential links. You are exploring Press Kit / Media Showcase 166588 for Green Island. More resources can be found in Newsroom 362340.

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