14.10.11
Pylon Design competition winner announced
Bystrup’s innovative T-Pylon design has been unanimously agreed by the judging panel as the winner of the Pylon Design competition, which was run by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, National Grid, and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
The winning design was unveiled this morning along with the other five finalists, selected from 250 entries. Bystrup will receive £5000 prize money and the other finalists will receive £1000 each.
Nick Winser, executive director of National Grid, praised the winner’s design: “It’s shorter, lighter and the simplicity of the design means it would fit into the landscape. The design of the electrical components is genuinely innovative and exciting.”
The existing pylon model, the steel lattice tower, has been around since the 1920s. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said: “We are going to need a lot more pylons over the next few years to connect new energy to our homes and businesses and it is important that we do this in the most beautiful way possible.”
There are currently more than 88,000 pylons in the UK, which stand 50 metres high and weigh around 30 tonnes. With more on the way, it is paramount that the environmental impact of the new pylon model is minimal.
Ruth Reed, RIBA Immediate Past President, said: “The potential to reduce the size and height of pylons and consequently their impact on the landscape and the amount of materials in their construction, made this scheme a clear winner for me.”
National Grid and Bystrup will now work together to develop the design further.
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