A traditional power substation in Shanghai has been completely reimagined as an innovative urban landmark that combines energy infrastructure with public green space. The Jialuo 110kV Power Substation, located in Juyuan New District, Jiading, has been transformed by Ten Studio into "Green Island," a groundbreaking project that demonstrates how utility buildings can serve multiple functions for communities while maintaining their primary purpose.

The centerpiece of the design is a sophisticated double-skin facade system that allows the building to generate renewable energy while creating public amenities. The south and east facades feature strategically placed photovoltaic panels that capture solar energy throughout the year. Several of these panels are mechanically operated and can adjust their positioning based on seasonal needs. During winter months, the panels remain in a vertical position to maximize solar energy collection, while in summer they tilt open to create shaded, weather-protected areas for pedestrians below.

The north and west facades, which face nearby residential areas, take a different approach with perforated aluminum cladding that incorporates built-in planting troughs. These elements form dynamic seasonal green walls that enhance the building's environmental performance while reducing its visual impact on neighboring homes. The living walls help soften the industrial appearance of the substation and contribute to the area's overall ecological health.

Beyond the building itself, the project addresses its broader urban context through thoughtful landscape design. The southern facade extends outward to create a protective barrier from traffic on Jialuo Road, generating a linear street park that serves the surrounding community. This park creates vital connections between adjacent residential neighborhoods, a community plaza, and a nearby kindergarten, fostering better pedestrian circulation and social interaction.

The project includes numerous additional features designed to enhance public use and safety. Gabion walls with integrated seating provide comfortable gathering spots, while an inner courtyard and carefully landscaped edges transform the substation's perimeter into accessible public areas. The design successfully converts what was once an isolated utility building into an inviting community resource.

The material palette combines durability with environmental consciousness, featuring silver steel framing, aluminum alloy planters, metal mesh, and gabion stone walls. More than 120 square meters of the building's roof area is covered with photovoltaic surfaces, working alongside extensive planting systems to maximize environmental performance and energy generation.

Covering a total area of 1,012 square meters, Green Island was designed by Ten Studio's team including Xudong Zhu, Xingyu He, Yiqiu Wu, and Jie Han for the State Grid Shanghai Electric Power Company Jiading Power Supply Company. Through its integration of renewable energy production, seasonal vegetation, and public programming, the project fundamentally redefines the role of utility infrastructure in urban environments, demonstrating that functional buildings can simultaneously serve as community assets and ecological contributors to city life.