Architects Design Electrical Towers as Human Giants

We've seen cell phone towers disguised as trees in an effort to beautify the city, but what do we do about tall, unsightly electrical towers? Massachusetts-based architects Jin Choi and Thomas Shine (of Choi+Shine) recently unveiled their Land of Giants project, a concept that received the 2010 Boston Society of Architects Unbuilt Architecture Award. The giant, human-shaped pylon-figures boast a modular construction, one that 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. The pylon-figures can also be arranged to create a sense of place through deliberate expression.

Subtle alterations in the hands and head combined with repositioning of the main body parts 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. “Making only minor alterations to well established steel-framed tower design, we have created a series of towers that are powerful, solemn, and variable,” says Choi+Shine. “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.”

Choi+Shine: Website | Facebook

Eugene Kim

Eugene Kim is the Editor-in-Chief of My Modern Met. In May, 2008, he co-founded the website to create one big city that celebrates creative ideas. His mission is to promote a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.
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