These award-winning structures in Japan are electrical
towers! ”Super Creative Electricity Transmission Line Towers” They even managed
to bring out gender differences in them.
An architecture and design firm called Choi+Shine has
submitted a design for the Icelandic High-Voltage Electrical Pylon
International Design Competition which proposes giant human-shaped pylons
carrying electricity cables across the country's landscape.
The enormous figures would only require slight alterations
to existing pylon designs, says the firm, which was awarded an honourable
mention for its design by the competition's judging board. It also won an award
from the Boston Society of Architects Unbuilt Architecture competition.
The architecture firm said: "Making only minor
alterations to well established steel-framed tower design, we have created a
series of towers that are powerful, solemn and variable. These iconic
pylon-figures will become monuments in the landscape. Seeing the pylon-figures
will become an unforgettable experience, elevating the towers to something more
than merely a functional design of necessity."
The figures can be placed into different poses, with the
suggestion that the landscapes could inform the position that the sculpture is
placed into. For example, as a power line ascends a hill, the pylons could look
as if they're climbing. The figures could also stretch up to gain increased
height over longer spans.
"Subtle alterations in the hands and head combined with
repositioning of the main body parts in the x, y and z-axis, allow for a rich
variety of expressions. The pylon-figures can be placed in pairs, walking in
the same direction or opposite directions, glancing at each other as they pass by
or kneeling respectively, head bowed at a town," said the architects.
That doesn't mean the manufacturing process has to be
complex, however. Each pylon is made from the same basic bits (head, arms,
torso, legs, etc), which could be fabricated and then mounted into the desired
position using pre-assembled joints.
Choi+Shine added: "Like the statues of Easter Island,
it is envisioned that these one hundred and fifty foot tall, modern caryatids
will take on a quiet authority, belonging to their landscape yet serving the
people, silently transporting electricity across all terrain, day and night,
sunshine or snow."
Thanks to Craig for the tip.
