wiredinUSA September 2013

Power to the people – or statues!

Electricity pylons are not the most attractive of features – but designs from a US-based architectural firm could change that. The innovative designs from Choi + Shine show pylons spreading throughout the countryside as human figures in a number of positions, standing and kneeling, and making a number of gestures with their arms. The company has won numerous awards for its design of electricity pylons resembling the human figure. Making only minor alterations to the well-established steel-framed tower design, Choi + Shine has created a series of towers that would become monuments in the landscape. The pylon-figures can be configured to respond to their environment with appropriate gestures. As the carried electrical lines ascend a hill, the pylon-figures change posture, imitating a climbing person. Over long spans, the pylon-figure stretches to gain increased height, crouches for increased strength or strains under the weight of the wires.

In addition, 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 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, head bowed at a town. Despite the large number of possible forms, each pylon-figure is made from the same major assembled parts (torso, forearm, upper leg, hand, etc) and uses a library of pre-assembled joints between these parts to create the pylon-figures’ appearance. This design allows for many variations in form and height while the pylon-figures’ cost is kept low through identical production, simple assembly and construction. The designs have won a number of awards for the company, including the 2010 Boston Society of Architects Unbuilt Architecture Design Recognition Award, and plaudits from the media.

wiredInUSA - September 2013 wiredIn - t r

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