Front Matter

Preface v

Contributing Authors vii

Introduction ix

A Framework for Aesthetics 1

Artistic Elements 1

Aesthetic Principles 2

Proportion 3

Order 4

Balance 4

Emphasis 5

Architectural Concepts 6

Coherence 7

Context 7

Purpose 7

Proportion (Form/Space/Volume/Scale/Size) 9

Order (Simple/Rhythm/Alignment/Complex/Pattern) 14

Balance (Dispersed/Organized/Weight/ /Proximity/Symmetry) 16

Emphasis (Contrast/Lighting/Transparency/Intensity/Color) 24

Case Study 1: Hudson River Crossing, New York 41

Case Study 2: 500 kV Double Circuit Transmission Line, Montana 42

Case Study 3: The Mickey Mouse Pole, Florida 45

Case Study 4: Cleaning Up, Arizona 46

Case Study 5: Sunrise Powerlink 500 kV Transmission Line, California 48

Case Study 6: Cleaning Up (Combining Circuits), Arizona 49

Case Study 7: 500 kV Single Circuit Transmission Line, Oregon 51

Case Study 8: Lone Star Transmission CREZ Project, Texas 52

Case Study 9: 345 kV/138 kV Double Circuit Line, Indiana 53

Case Study 10: Halawa Makalapa 138kV P11H Replacement, Hawaii 56

Case Study 11: Tubular Steel Pole Coating, California 58

Case Study 12: Wyoming–Jackson Ferry 765kV Project, West Virginia/Virginia 60

The intended reader of this document is the overhead line engineer. The reader’s knowledge of concepts of electrical clearances and structural support geometries are assumed; therefore, functional design details have purposefully been left absent and the focus of this discussion is solely on aesthetics. The examples enclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are neither the starting point nor the end point in the consideration of aesthetics. References to any specific products shown are not an endorsement by the Committee for such products, but are meant as examples of the range of products available on the market to support aesthetic consideration. For this document, the Committee chose not to provide definitive direction on what IS and IS NOT aesthetic or on the appropriate use of the concepts because these depend on specific context, line route setting, and the engineer’s subjective interpretation of aesthetics. This document is intended as a starting point, to help engineers think about aesthetics, and when and how to appropriately incorporate aesthetics into projects at the design stage.

Massoud (Mike) Khavari, Chair

Wesley James Oliphant, Vice Chair

Clinton Yeu Wing Char

David Endorf

Majid R. J. Farahani

Meihuan Zhu (Nancy) Fulk

Leon Kempner

Lynda Kiejko

Otto J. Lynch

Ajay Kumar Mallik

Michael D Miller

Christopher Nicolai

Ola Onifade

Ronald Eugene Randle

Alexander Charles Richards

Kenneth Lee Sharpless

Sarie M. Uechi

This ASCE Technical Report has been prepared to provide information on aesthetic concepts and to encourage aesthetic consideration as part of the standard design process for OverHead Transmission Line (OHL) structures; it does not go in depth on their functional design. The report discusses the challenges and opportunities to integrate aesthetics without compromising design function, safety, reliability, resiliency, economy, or sustainability.

A greater understanding and thoughtful integration of aesthetics into the design of transmission line structures can positively alter the resulting visual impact. Aesthetics refers to the appearance and visually pleasing quality of an item, generally associated with areas of study such as art, architecture, and the natural environment. Relating aesthetics to engineering practices without reducing the functionality of the design is something that can provide intrinsic value, which can be difficult to quantify. To produce an intentional aesthetic quality in a transmission structure, engineers need to employ elements of architectural concepts that are introduced in this report. There are formal, technical, and expressive elements in architectural concepts that draw upon aesthetic principles, which appeal directly to our senses. The primary aesthetic principles that people notice about transmission line structures are adapted from architecture terminology and are described as proportion, order, balance, and emphasis. Adaptation of a structure in relation to its surrounding environment incorporates these principles to draw attention to it or divert attention from it. Aesthetic principles influencing the visual quality of transmission structures are both attainable and impactful.

The American Society of Civic Engineers (ASCE) has approved and adopted the following policy on aesthetics; ASCE Policy Statement 117, first approved in 1969, adopted by the Board of Direction on July 13, 2014:

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports aesthetic quality in engineering design. As aesthetics are integral to good engineering design and sustainability, the cost of aesthetic quality should also be integral to design and construction budgeting. Aesthetic quality should be an element of the planning, design, construction, operations, maintenance, renovation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and security enhancement of the built environment.

Issue

An engineering design can enhance or detract from the environment by virtue of the quality of its visual characteristics.

Rationale

Aesthetic harmony should exist between civil engineering designs and the environment within which these designs are constructed. The environment is both natural and built, and its aesthetic qualities should be preserved and enhanced by design. Basic design qualities can seldom be economically added once a project is constructed. Visual quality and aesthetics must be considered throughout the life-cycle of the project. Aesthetic quality can be achieved in ways that maintain or enhance functional quality.

Since electricity first began to be utilized and distributed to homes and businesses in the late 1800s, it has evolved into being an integral part of society. Transmission lines play a very critical role in maintaining and building a resilient electrical system infrastructure across the nation. In this age of increasing dependency on electricity to support digital life styles and economic development, new transmission lines are continually being required. This, however, is becoming increasing challenging as increased public awareness, governmental regulations, environmental issues and weather conditions make the process of designing and building new transmission lines progressively complex. The structures used to support OHL are predominant physical features on the landscape and are often perceived differently than buildings, bridges, and most other types of structures.

Historically in North America, functionality has been given more attention than aesthetics (as presented in this report). The primary focus has been to bring power to the public in a safe and reliable manner. Typical transmission structure appearance is primarily a byproduct of the structure’s geometric configuration, topology satisfying complex environmental loading conditions, and electrical clearance requirements driven by economies of materials. Over time, public opinion has evolved from initially welcoming new power lines as a sign of societal progress, to having to accept their presence on the landscape as an unfortunate necessity. Most design engineers are not specifically trained in visual concepts or architectural appreciation.

Benefits can be derived when aesthetic considerations are made an integral part of the planning and design of any OHL project. While public participation and permitting processes can require certain attention to aesthetics, the emphasis tends to be focused on basic variations of traditional designs and the presence of the line itself. Thoughtful aesthetic evaluation during the design process offers intrinsic value, which can be factored into the overall life cycle cost of the transmission line. Advances in material, manufacturing, and computing technologies allow for a comprehensive evaluation of different structural solutions. Human creativity, ingenuity, skills, and training will always be important in advancing aesthetic design. The opportunity exists to enhance the practice of OHL engineering by considering the visual impact of design decisions. The intent of this Committee Report is to introduce the elements, principles, and concepts of aesthetics that can be successfully incorporated into the design of overhead transmission lines and the structures that support them.