Steer Davies Gleave's RIBA Aesthetic Overhead Line Structures competition submission

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) recently launched the Aesthetic Overhead Line Structures International Design Ideas Competition

The competition invited architects, engineers and designers worldwide to propose new ideas to improve the design of gantry and cantilever structures; these form an essential component of the electrification programme across the UK rail network including through listed or otherwise protected areas.

For the competition, Steer Davies Gleave (SDG) put together a team drawn from our Design for Movement and Rail Advisory divisions – bringing together innovative design capabilities and practical railway engineering experience – in order to develop our design submission named ‘Helo’.

At an early stage we identified that the current design of Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) has little visual interest, appearing quite industrial and stark and in conflict with the design of modern rolling stock operating on these routes. OLE also has a significant visual impact on the environment it inhabits, from conservation areas to populated centres.

Drawing on inspiration from the British countryside, we were struck by the beauty and natural free flowing forms we studied. Our desire was to create a mast with a strong visual appeal and characteristics that could work well in different landscapes. When seen from a distance, the  mast would blend in with the natural landscape rather than form an imposing structure, and when viewed up close in towns and cities we wanted to make it a visually appealing feature.

SDG looked to ensure that our solution could meet the current technical design requirements of OLE, whilst replacing the traditional angular framework with a more modern, “softer” structure.  In order to minimise construction and maintenance costs, we retained the use of the existing contact system and insulators.  This means that the interface with the pantograph – a key engineering functional requirement – is maintained through an already proven system.

Illustrations of our designs can be seen below: