Giants Carry the Weight of the Energy Grid On Their Shoulders

As <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/04/05/new-synchrophasors-are-the-key-to-a-smarter-more-stable-energy-grid/" target="_blank">transmission grids</a> around the globe prepare for overhauls and upgrades to accommodate more renewable energy power sources, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2009/10/23/icelandic-prefabricated-home-to-remember-summer-days-by/" target="_blank">Iceland</a> has already taken a look at how to better the design of their high-voltage transmission pylons. This incredible "Land of Giants" proposal by Boston firm <a href="http://www.choishine.com/port_projects/landsnet/landsnet.html" target="_blank">Choi + Shine Architects</a> transforms mundane electrical pylons into towering statues -- gods of power and electricity that hold up high-voltage transmission lines as they cross the Icelandic landscape.

The impressive figures would take the place of the traditional steel-frame transmission pylons used throughout the world, transforming them from mundane industrial towers into superhuman figures.

The figures would all be constructed using the same materials and processes used to create standard towers, so the transformation would be relatively inexpensive.

The figures could be built into different positions based on the altering landscape, structural requirements, or even to provide variety along a long span of transmission lines.

The imposing figures would elevate the importance of the transmission lines and grid by transforming mundane pylons into works of art.

Small changes in the position of the head, legs, hands would give each figure its own identity. Each pylon-figure is made from the same major assembled parts (torso, fore arm, upper leg, hand etc.) and uses a library of pre-assembled joints between these parts to create the pylon-figures’ appearance.

Choi + Shine Architects have won both an Honorable Mention in the Icelandic Transmission Pylon International Design Competition and an award from the Boston Society of Architects in the 2010 Unbuilt Category.