Windy station

The design of this train station on the Chaka Salt Lake aims to mimic the strong winds of the region. Photos: Shenzhen CNSENMO Fabric Structure Co., Ltd.

With a bright-red undulating canopy, the Chaka Wind Station boldly plants itself squarely in the middle of the Chaka Salt Lake in the Qinghai province of China. This region is also the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and contains the Haixi Mongol community.

“Chaka” is the Tibetan word meaning “salt pond,” and its Mongolian name—Dabusun Nur—translates to English as “sea of green salt.” The lake is celebrated for its mirror-like surface and the surrounding mountains and landscape. This stop on the sightseeing train links to the larger Salt Lake Scenic Area.

Recent upgrading of the region has produced this unique architecture, evoking the abstract notion of wind, where the lake often produces strong wind conditions.

Curved, vibrant red and orange canopy of the Windy Station, with sunlight streaming through and views of a calm lake in the background.

The irregular fabric roof of the train stop clearly suggests movement and “resembles dynamic ribbons” from afar, say the project representatives in their IAA entry. A tricolor system of fabric produces a mosaic of color that creates gradient effects. Engineered, fabricated and installed by Shenzhen CNSENMO Fabric Structure Company, the colorful fabric “allows visitors to see the wind and hear the wind.”

Two tints of red PTFE translucent fabric allow light to penetrate to the core of the station and are paired with bright multicolored squares of PVC mesh that flap in the wind “like the leaves of a tree.” At night, a light show called “Light Up the Red Scarf” reduces light pollution with smart computer programming.

Chaka Wind Station won an Award of Excellence in the 2025 IAAs.