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Giants Carry the Weight of the Energy Grid On Their Shoulders
Posted By
Bridgette Meinhold
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In
Architecture,Environment,Renewable Energy |
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Choi + Shine’s project was an honorable mention in an international design competition held in 2008 by Iceland’s transmission line firm Landset and the Association of Icelandic Architects to transform mundane power pylons into something more visually appealing. The design actually only requires slight alterations to the current structure of the steel-framed towers in order to create human-like figures. The giant sculptures are all constructed from the same mass assembled parts (torso, fore arm, upper leg, hand etc.) and they use a library of pre-assembled joints to create each figure’s appearance and stance.
Elevating the pylons and lines from mere industrial necessities into a works of art might help people appreciate the importance of the electric grid. Additionally, the figures could be altered or positioned in a way that provides a sense of place within the landscape. For instance, the figures could stand straight and tall over long flat spans to increase the line height, or they could crouch when there is need for a greater strength to stand up to the tension of the wires. Gestures, like hand or head placement, could also affect the look of the figures and provide variety along long stretches of power lines.
Choi + Shine recently received the top award from the Boston Society of Architects in the category of Unbuilt Architecture for 2010.
Via ArchiCentral
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As transmission grids around the globe prepare for overhauls and upgrades to accommodate more renewable energy power sources, Iceland 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 Choi + Shine Architects 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.
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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.
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The figures would all be constructed using the same materials and processes used to create standard towers, so the transformation would be relatively inexpensive.
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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.
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The imposing figures would elevate the importance of the transmission lines and grid by transforming mundane pylons into works of art.
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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.
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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.
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