Swiss Transmission Tower Salutes Roger Federer
Europe is a place where obtaining approvals for new transmission lines is an ever more difficult and costly process. And perhaps nowhere is this more the case than relatively tiny Switzerland, with its iconic mountains that have been pictured on calendars for decades.
In such a restrictive environment, line constructors need to be especially creative. One such case is the socalled‘ tennis racquet’ tower located on a much-traveled highway overpass near the city of Lausanne. This oneof-a-kind tower was reportedly developed to satisfy local tennis-loving residents whose approval proved pivotal in obtaining permission for the new line corridor.
Photos: INMR ©
Finnish Design on Show with Costly but Outstanding Towers
The Nordic country of Finland has always been proud of its history of design excellence, perhaps no better exemplified by its worldfamous architect and designer, Alvar Aalto. The heavily forested country also has a long tradition of environmental protection.
Given this, obtaining approvals to site large transmission structures alongside a major highway interchange just outside the capital city of Helsinki yet surrounded by dense forest was a challenge that had to be overcome primarily through design. Basically, the solution had to meet the criterion of enhancing the experience for passing motorists and avoiding the monotony of standard lattice towers. The final concept, developed by a team headed by a renowned local professor, consisted of structures combining mass-produced steel shapes with highly individualized treatment of elements such as the fanciful, brightly painted cross-arms and stylized concrete bases.
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