We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Hang Chen about their original and creative Public Infrastructure design work. Hang Chen is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original public infrastructure works.
Hang Chen ("HC") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Pastoral Substation Public Infrastructure. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
HC : The main principle behind Pastoral Substation is the transformation of conventional energy infrastructure into an open, ecological, and civic space. The project draws inspiration from the coexistence of technology and nature — reinterpreting the industrial landscape through the lens of sustainability and community engagement. Inspired by the pastoral imagery of fields and sunlight, the design merges renewable energy facilities with public amenities, creating a living environment where clean energy and human activity flow together harmoniously.
HC : The design focuses on reimagining a high-voltage substation — typically a closed, “neighbor-avoided” facility — into a welcoming and educational urban destination. The goal was to dissolve physical and psychological boundaries between infrastructure and daily life, transforming the substation into a civic landscape that demonstrates renewable energy in action. The project aims to shift public perception from “industrial exclusion” to “shared participation.”
HC : The vision for Pastoral Substation extends beyond a single project. It serves as a prototype for future transformations of utility infrastructures into public assets. I plan to collaborate with municipal governments and energy companies to replicate this model in other urban and rural contexts, adapting the framework to local ecology and community needs.
HC : The conceptual design process took approximately six months, including site analysis, urban context studies, and the development of spatial and technical integration schemes. Further refinement and stakeholder consultation continued during subsequent months of environmental assessment and urban design coordination.
HC : The project was commissioned as part of a public initiative to improve the environmental and spatial quality of existing infrastructure in Shanghai’s Minhang District. However, the concept evolved beyond functional improvement — it became an inspired exploration of how infrastructure can act as a living organism within the city, reflecting the ideals of low-carbon urbanism and civic inclusivity.
HC : The design was developed for a public sector client in collaboration with a regional power company. Implementation is coordinated with utility providers, landscape contractors, and renewable energy partners. The intellectual framework of Pastoral Substation remains adaptable for future licensing or cooperative replication in other municipalities.
HC : As an urban planner and architect, I have long been interested in the intersection of energy systems and public space. Substations, though critical to urban life, are often hidden or fenced off. This project offered an opportunity to question that separation — to create a typology where infrastructure participates in civic and ecological renewal rather than isolation.
HC : Influences include the landscape urbanism movement and adaptive reuse projects by firms such as Diller Scofidio + Renfro and West 8, who explore the soft interface between ecology, technology, and public life. Additionally, the conceptual approach draws from art installations and kinetic urban interventions that visualize energy flows in the environment.
HC : The primary “customer” is the urban community itself — residents, students, and visitors who engage with the substation as an educational and recreational space. On the institutional level, the project targets municipal governments, energy companies, and urban development agencies interested in sustainable, community-oriented infrastructure transformation.
HC : Unlike traditional infrastructure beautification projects, Pastoral Substation fundamentally redefines the substation’s social role. It integrates renewable energy systems, kinetic devices, and landscape elements into an interactive and educational experience. The design not only conceals industrial structures but celebrates them as part of a living ecological cycle.
HC : The name Pastoral Substation symbolizes the transformation of an industrial site into a pastoral landscape. “Pastoral” evokes tranquility, nature, and rural imagery — a poetic contrast to the technical reality of a power facility. The juxtaposition of “pastoral” and “substation” reflects the project’s ambition to reconcile human, natural, and industrial elements in one harmonious environment.
HC : The design process utilized a combination of digital and analog tools, including AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, Lumion, and Adobe Creative Suite for visualization and presentation. GIS and environmental simulation software were used to analyze solar orientation, pedestrian flow, and green coverage efficiency. Hand sketching and physical modeling were employed for spatial ideation.
HC : The most unique aspect is the fusion of renewable energy infrastructure with public urban life. Instead of hiding energy systems, the project makes them visible, educational, and interactive. This transparency transforms infrastructure into a cultural and ecological asset — a living classroom for sustainability.
HC : Yes. The project was realized through close collaboration between urban planners, landscape architects, power engineers, and environmental consultants. Electrical engineers provided insights on safety and grid integration, while environmental experts advised on sustainable materials and ecological restoration strategies.
HC : Technology plays both a functional and expressive role. Solar panels, kinetic devices, and interactive lighting systems make renewable energy visible and experiential. Smart monitoring technology provides real-time data on energy generation and environmental conditions, enhancing public understanding of clean energy processes.
HC : Yes. The design was informed by site data analysis, including microclimate patterns, noise levels, pedestrian accessibility, and existing vegetation mapping. Research into the lifecycle and visual impact of substation components guided spatial strategies. Benchmark studies of international infrastructure reuse projects also shaped the design logic.
HC : The main challenge was balancing safety and openness — ensuring the substation met technical and security requirements while remaining publicly accessible. Coordinating between utility companies and urban agencies also required extensive negotiation to redefine operational boundaries and responsibilities.
HC : The decision to submit to the A’ Design Award came from a desire to share an alternative vision of infrastructure design globally. The project represents a new civic typology with relevance beyond its local context, aligning with A’ Design’s mission to promote innovation, sustainability, and social impact.
HC : This project deepened my understanding of infrastructure as a social and cultural entity, not just a technical necessity. It strengthened my ability to integrate ecological design, public engagement, and engineering collaboration into a coherent vision — and reinforced my belief that design can catalyze community transformation.
HC : Pastoral Substation is more than a site-specific design — it’s a strategic framework for transforming the relationship between people and infrastructure. It proposes a future in which energy systems are not hidden behind fences but celebrated as shared, educational, and beautiful parts of everyday urban life.
