This series of towers by American architecture practice Choi+Shine Architects are set to transform mundane electrical pylons into giant statues on the Icelandic landscape.

Choi+Shine Architects have transformed the traditional electricity pylon in their latest project “Land of Giants”. Devising a way to make pylons less of an eyesore while also creating an “unforgettable experience”, Choi+Shine have elevated towers to something more than merely a functional design of necessity with postures imitating a friendly BFG (aka Big Friendly Giant).

Making only minor alterations to well established steel-framed tower design, each pylon-figure is made from the same major assembled parts (torso, forearm, upper leg, hand) and uses a library of pre-assembled joints to create the pylon-figures’ appearance. According to Choi+Shine this design allows for many variations in form and height, and the cost is kept inexpensive through identical production and simple construction.

Inspired by the statues on Easter Island, the pylon-figures can be configured to respond to their environment and sense of place with appropriate gestures and deliberate expression. Choi+Shine explain that subtle alterations in the hands and head combined with repositioning of the main body parts in the x, y and z-axis can allow for a variety of expressions; “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”.

Set to come to life in Iceland in 2017, these iconic pylon-figures will soon become monuments in the landscape.

Choi+Shine Architects
choishine.com

Images via Choi+Shine Architects