One country that is innovative in its harnessing of power is Iceland, and it doesn't end with geothermal technology. They are considering designs by Choi + Shine (image) to erect power line pylons that depict humanoid figures. The designs can be easily modified to incorporate different poses, adding a stunning and thoughtful element to an otherwise bland structure.
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 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. [They] 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.
The architectural firm won the 2010 award for unbuilt structure by the Boston Society of Architects, and honorable mention in the Icelandic High-Voltage Electrical Pylon International Design Competition.
Link via Wired Science.
I always thought they looked like fancy stick people.
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I dunno LOL ( ¯\(°_o)/¯ )
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Because we all know Iceland has a lot of pocket change these days.
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That's why they built the Easter Island heads
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Gee whiz, I like them. I'm all for government using its part in developing infrastructure to add art and whimsy to our world.
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I love it! I remember as a small child imagining them to be giant monsters marching across the world. Guess I watched too much Saturday morning television.
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Power hungry Icelandic giants! No one is safe!
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I love them. They already look like headless men carrying the lines, but adding a head is a great idea!
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Additional pylons: You must construct them.
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Awesome. It's nice to see the typical ugliness of necessary structures given some thought and whimsy. Now they need to get to work on dressing up those hideous cell towers I see everywhere. I saw one near Glacier National Park disguised as an evergreen and immediately wondered why it was the only one.
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