Korean architect Yong ho Shin shared with us his second prize design for the “Landsnet High-Voltage Transmission Line Tower Design Competition” in Iceland. More images and architect’s description after the break.
The design of the conventional high-voltage transmission line towers (aka Electric Pylons) has been with us since the dawn of the modern electric age. Whether it’s urban or rural area, electric pylons are became a part of the modern landscape. Due to their obtrusive appearance these steel latticed giants are never have been much loved and even regarded as a necessary evil in people’s mind that no one would care for….
‘Superstring’ is a new type of structure for the high-voltage electric transmission. Considering the extreme conditions of the Icelandic winter, this 27m high parabolic structure (hyperbolic paraboloid) will be prefabricated into pieces for easy transportation and construction. As compared with conventional tower designs this new design takes less space for the footing (only 2 points) and also need fewer components to construct. So it will significantly reduce construction time and efforts. Once the foundation concrete piles are in place, then U shaped prefabricated hinged tube structure will be fixed on top of the foundation. 600mm diameter steel tube will be used for the entire structure with partial reinforcement at the ground with extended fin welded on steel tube. Upper parts of the loop are then inserted to the base structure and when the loop is completed it becomes stable by itself.
Entire structure is balanced by 4 stay wires extended (visually) from the ‘boom in space’ to the ground. This ‘boom in space’ is hanging in the middle of upper part of the loop structure relaying the power lines from both directions. ‘Superstring’s aerodynamic form will not only reduce the wind load, it also allows flex itself to cope with the extreme weather conditions.
Above all, the true beauty of this scheme lies in its formal quality. Elegant parabolic loop structures in the landscape would appears as if musical notes are hung on the staffs. Their shape will change continuously by the angle of the viewers. This will be a case that the most mundane utility infrastructures can transformed into a ‘Land Art’ and to become a part of the nature. This certainly adds another spectacle over already breathtaking Icelandic landscape.
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- Courtesy of Shindesign
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- Courtesy of Shindesign
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- Courtesy of Shindesign
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- Courtesy of Shindesign
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- Courtesy of Shindesign
I guess it’s never too late to design an attractive electricity pylon, but this sort of thing should happened years ago.
And I hope they are as strong as it boasts they are. I’ve been to Iceland in bad weather and my first impression is that these are a bit too pretty. They need more solidity/rigidity.
How could none thought about it before?
Current towers are a mess.
Instead of 1 column will be 4. I am not a big fan of this solution.
Not really. The four strings touch the ground on two points only. The current metallic tower that bears hight voltage cables is the one that has four stilts.
how will one climb the tower in case of a problem…parabola in this case is a mess…
Infinity! sign, cool .
brilliant idea,fascinating design.
actualy I really like it.but I’m anxious about the cost.also,it is not as modular as the old fashioned one.
I think the design looks great. I’m not too woried about it structurally. My two main conerns here would be:
– Scalability: Current designs can add or subtract lines as necessary. this one looks like it maxes out at 3. Would you have to have a wider structure to accomodate more lines, or could you stack another “boom” above or below the first one to add more wires?
– Change in direction: Current designs allow the wire to turn up to 90 degrees. The design is very similar to the ropes in a boxing ring and the corner post they are attached to. How this one would do it, I don’t know.
I hope Shin makes a good application for the UK competition. I’m sure all the issues can be overcome. I love its simplicity and I’m not a fan of the giant design that actually won.