The innovation-oriented cooperation project “Giving high-voltage line masts of Putukaväil a new form and function: experimental form tests in the studio of the Vertical Laboratory of the Faculty of Architecture” was implemented between the Tallinn Strategy Center and the Faculty of Architecture of EAA.
3DL vertical studio focused its research and investigations on the revaluation of materiality through the issues of design, structure and symmetry, by using the four soon derelict Elering high voltage line masts in Pelguranna area as “test bodies “.
In order to interpret and rearrange the masts’ structure, we decided to use seriality and methods of de- and reconstruction as drivers. The proposed possible new functions can be observation points, climbing, landmark and lighting towers, that already have gathered potential interest groups.
The studio’s workflows were arranged into two sub-themes with corresponding student workgroups:
A – Addition to the electricity masts – supplementation of secondary structure and/or material.
B – Subtraction from the electricity masts – deconstruction and restructuring.
C – The Big picture – all groups had to address the masts as an entirety in the urban context.
In questions relating to the possible classifications of symmetry, we were supported by an internationally recognized folding expert Paul Jackson, who teaches at EKA’s partner school Shenkar College in Israel, by his recent book “How to Make Repeat Patterns: A Guide for Designers, Architects and Artists“.
On September 16th a public presentation of the sketch design project “The Afterlife of Insect Path Masts” took place in Tallinn City government building on the occasion an online event that was dedicated to the issues connected to Insect Path as a whole and transferred to an audience through a live stream. The broadcast can be viewed at https://app.sli.do/event/shibxida
Tutors: Martin Melioranski, Paco Ulman
Consultants: Heiki Meos (structural engineering), Mihkel Kõrvits (urban context)
Students 2nd–5th year of architecture and urban planning: Triinu Amboja, Grete Daut, Simon Eiland, Malin Hilding, Andreas Ignacio Hinojosa, Roosmarii Kukk, Katerina Laansoo, Loora Orav, Rebecca Peets, Markus Puidak, Helen Rebane, Mikael Ristmets, Martin Sepp, Sander Sinnep, Kaari Maria Tirmaste, Cristin Marii Titma, Mathilda Viigimäe, Liispet Viira, Laura Liis Vilbiks
Location: Tallinn
Period: October 2020 – September 2021
Client and financier: Tallinn Strategy Center
The project is part of the Central Baltic Program project “B.Green – Baltic Green Urban Infrastructure Planning” with the participation of the Tallinn Strategy Center.