Shortlist

Shortlisted Entry 3

P82 Gustafson Porter – Flower Tower

Team: Gustafson Porter with Atelier One and Pfisterer

Flower Tower expresses the transmission of energy through forms associated with nature. In elevation, the Flower Tower reads like a bouquet of flowers or leaves. The bunching together of several ‘stems’ creates structural stiffness at the base. These stems are tied together by connecting plates and horizontal bridges which allow access to maintain the cables. Arcs defined by the cable clearance swings generate curving ‘leaves’, which splay out from the stem. The earth wire is held by a spike or ‘flower’ at the top of the tower.

Comments (270)
Comments
jf commented on 14-Sep-2011 03:40 PM
Attractive and possibly functional. Expensive but may be justified for some locations. The materials of the legs are not specified and may need high strength steel to avoid massive appearance with no redeeming transparency.
Anonymous commented on 14-Sep-2011 04:16 PM
The most pleasing aesthetics - it looks like an ear of corn more than a flower though. A modern and less imposing vision of the standard pylon design.
Anonymous commented on 14-Sep-2011 05:52 PM
looks like a good contender, might have issues when it comes to acting as a tension tower... would have to be very strong indeed not to be pulled over in high winds when acting under tension...
Peter Clarke commented on 14-Sep-2011 06:06 PM
'the Flower Tower reads like a bouquet of flowers or leaves' not it doesn't it looks like what it is - bent bits of metal. Looks to me like wind shear might be an issue. Not a problem you get when you do the write thing and bury the cable or better still
do local generation. Rows of the these aren't going to look much better than the current pylon especially after they have gone rusty.
Antony Wright commented on 14-Sep-2011 09:29 PM
This design dominates it's surroundings, row upon row of these are not going to sit well in their environment.
Interrogative commented on 15-Sep-2011 08:30 AM
Over complicated. As noted above, will dominate the landscape.
Anonymous commented on 15-Sep-2011 09:55 AM
This looks scary
Anonymous commented on 15-Sep-2011 09:56 AM
Undecided all though not unpleasant shape it seams top heavy.
Annis Castellina commented on 15-Sep-2011 10:16 AM
I agree with the person who says that this looks a bit alien or even "scary". Remings me of sapce travel. I think the downwards arms are depressing. Could cause depression in people living near them and seeing them from living room and kitchen window.
Things in Nautre point upwards.
Anonymous commented on 15-Sep-2011 10:21 AM
Hideous... looks as if it was designed by a set designer for the Alien or Predator movies... think these architects could do well in Hollywood. Day of the Triffids and War Of The Worlds also come to mind. Still seeing these dotted about the place would
be one more good reason to emigrate!
GJ commented on 15-Sep-2011 10:34 AM
Very pleasing - looks natural and yet futuristic !
Steve commented on 15-Sep-2011 10:43 AM
Impressive style, but maintenance on the conductors and insulaters would be a problem, towers need to be climbable.
Chris B commented on 15-Sep-2011 10:48 AM
While no the worst design, I feel this design would have been more at home in the 1990s or possibly the 1210s, given its Gothic undertones and also is more reminiscent of the style seen in some recent ugly French car design. The sharp curves do not have
the honesty of the original design or the elegance seen in AL_A Pylon design.
TM commented on 15-Sep-2011 10:54 AM
I was very surprised at the other comments, I thought it elegant and rather beautiful, and can carry multiple lines - I like it
Hugo de Gogo commented on 15-Sep-2011 11:07 AM
This is aweful - avoid it like the plague!
TBay commented on 15-Sep-2011 11:14 AM
I am not aware of the technical challenges when designing these pylons, but is it not an obvious idea to tie in a form of renewable energy capture on these permanent structures? There is not one design incorporating a wind turbine or solar panels. If you
are going to blot the landscape, why not gain something from it too?
Alan Mansfield commented on 15-Sep-2011 11:15 AM
Extreemly elegant and very pleasing on the eye Im very suprised no one designed a pylon with a wind generater spiral built in seems logical
Dave commented on 15-Sep-2011 11:38 AM
An excellent design. Modern and functional and much prettier on the eye than current outdated pylons.
Anonymous commented on 15-Sep-2011 11:58 AM
The least offensive of the shortlisted options, as it looks most like a natural form and looks elegant
jim commented on 15-Sep-2011 12:04 PM
effective design which compliments the location and the enviroment with the smaller base and tree like form
jodave commented on 15-Sep-2011 12:43 PM
industrial, and sinister, like a monster lording it over us. Dont like this at all.
Kristina commented on 15-Sep-2011 01:10 PM
This design in by far the best entry it is elegant and fitting in its environment and purpose. The design is appalling to the eye and from a build point of view i would imagine this design would be easier and safe to build. Go Flower Tower - Power to the
People come on! I love this.
Helena commented on 15-Sep-2011 01:17 PM
I agree with Kristinas comments this is by far the best entry both fitting and elegant it stands out above the other entries. I assume you mean 'appealing' though kristina - not appalling!! It reminds me of a slim line tree which perfectly suits any location.
The other entries remind me of various tooth picks or a sail that is likely fall down in the wind! Very tasteful - go Flower Tower!
Simon commented on 15-Sep-2011 01:26 PM
This is a masterpiece.....Gustafson Porter definitely understand the surrounding landscapes which echo the design and its environment. This gets my vote. Go Flower Tower!
Marion commented on 15-Sep-2011 01:37 PM
This is very pleasing on the eye and certainly a massive improvement on its predecessors. Very graceful and elegant formation (even better painted green)!