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Integrated Overhead Line System; Technical Drawing

Architect: Addy, Ben, RSA · b. 1977

Integrated Overhead Line System; Technical Drawing

As founder of Moxon Architects Ltd in conjunction with engineer Mott Macdonald, Addy designed this sleek and cost-effective integrated overhead line…

As founder of Moxon Architects Ltd in conjunction with engineer Mott Macdonald, Addy designed this sleek and cost-effective integrated overhead line structure or OLS, as part of the extensive HS2 railway network programme in England.

The unit carries overhead services and cabling adjacent to the railway track. Addy's design provides a reduced profile for this component thus minimizing the visual clutter of previous solutions. This is particularly important where the new track is passing through areas of sensitivity.

By using composite materials with intrinsic electrical insulation properties, the structural and electrical protection requirements have been combined in the single cantilever component, thus eliminating the need for traditional and visibly obstructive ceramic insulating pots.

The complexity of the structure is thus significantly reduced and with that an hugely impressive 70% saving on production and lifetime running costs has also been achieved.

The other component elements of Addy's Diploma work include a 1:5 scale model prototype, a digital print of a preliminary freehand sketch concept, and a digital print showing the physical installation of a new OLS unit.

This is the first architect-designed engineering component to enter the RSA Collections and continues a long tradition of members links with railways, from the paintings and prints by David Octavius Hill depicting some of Scotland's earliest railways through to John McAslan's Diploma Collection deposit relating to his pioneering design solution for the refurbishment and expansion of King's Cross railway station in London.

© Moxon Architects Ltd.