Press Release
Bronze A' Design Award in Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure Design Goes to Node Transformation Of Electrical Voltages by Tomi Rantasaari
The international grand jury of the 2024 - 2025 A' Design Award & Competition recognizes Tomi Rantasaari for engineering, construction and infrastructure design
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 18, 2025 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has announced that Node Transformation Of Electrical Voltages by Tomi Rantasaari, designed for Skyline Legal Oy, has been granted the Bronze A' Design Award in the Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure Design category. The recognition forms part of the 2024 - 2025 A' Design Award & Competition and was decided through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who evaluated anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
About the Bronze A' Design Award
The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
Regarding Node Transformation Of Electrical Voltages
Node is a transformer substation designed for park and city settings. The compact structure measures four meters by three meters and is fully enclosed, with no visible windows or openings, which supports electrical safety and security. The outer shell is made of corten steel or aluminum panels that are laser cut with an organic perforation pattern. LED lighting placed behind the perforated facade creates a soft glow at night. A concealed door allows maintenance access. Node converts high voltage electricity into levels used by homes and businesses.
Award Record
With this recognition, Tomi Rantasaari is a winner of 3 A' Design Awards. The awards span the editions from 2023 - 2024 to 2024 - 2025 of the A' Design Award & Competition.
About the A' Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure Design Award
The A' Infrastructure Design Award is an international competition recognizing good infrastructure projects by engineers and construction companies worldwide. The competition is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to infrastructure designers, civil engineers, building engineers and infrastructure brands from all countries. Entries typically include bridges, tunnels, highways, railways, airports and dams. Awarded infrastructure designs are published at https://designers.org/design-category/infrastructure
About A' Design Award & Competition
A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade organized annually since 2008. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The A' Design Award has a philanthropic mission to advance society through good design by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Entries are peer reviewed and anonymously evaluated by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. The A' Design Prize granted to eligible laureates includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, the upload of a work and the preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. Further information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://designers.org/169352
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/169352
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!169352
- Laureate Profile: https://designers.org/d/355068
- Further Information from the Laureate: http://www.skylinelegal.fi
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Node Transformation Of Electrical Voltages
- Function
- Transformation Of Electrical Voltages
- Category
- Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure Design
- Discipline
- Spatial Design
- Industry
- Architecture and Manufacturing
- Colors
- Black, Dark Slate Blue, Slate Gray, Dark Slate Gray and Steel Blue
- Images
- 5
- Client
- Skyline Legal Oy
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Tomi Rantasaari
- Country
- Finland
- Recognition
- Bronze A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2024 - 2025
- Design ID
- #169352
Credits
- Team
- Tomi Rantasaari, CEO, Head of Design
- Image Credits
- Copyright Tomi Rantasaari / Skyline Legal Oy
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- Node project reimagines the traditional transformer substation as a functional yet aesthetically refined urban infrastructure element. Designed for both park and city environments, the structure is fully enclosed with no visible openings, ensuring maximum electrical safety and security. As dusk falls, soft, warm illumination from within transforms the substation into a visually striking landmark. The creation of the images has been assisted by AI software, which was used to generate visual elements based on provided descriptions and design preferences. The AI was employed to enhance creativity, streamline the illustration process, and produce high-quality visuals efficiently.
- Inspiration
- The Node project draws inspiration from the intersection of infrastructure, art, and urban integration, transforming a traditionally utilitarian structure into a harmonious architectural element. The design is influenced by organic patterns found in nature, such as fireflies, constellations, and rippling water, which are reflected in the precision-cut perforations on its surface.
- Research
- This research focuses on integrating essential infrastructure into urban and natural landscapes without compromising safety or functionality. The objective was to design a secure, aesthetically refined transformer substation that blends seamlessly into its surroundings while ensuring optimal electrical performance. The methodology combined architectural analysis, material research, and energy efficiency studies. Data was collected through case studies of existing substations, urban integration models, and safety regulations. Simulation tools were used to test structural resilience, thermal performance, and visual impact in different environments.
- Challenge
- The greatest challenge was balancing technical functionality with aesthetic integration. Transformer substations are critical infrastructure, requiring strict safety, ventilation, and accessibility standards, yet they often disrupt urban aesthetics. The team overcame this by designing a fully enclosed unit with concealed access, passive cooling, and artistic perforations. External challenges included safety regulations, material durability, and production feasibility, ensuring compliance without compromising design.
- Realization and Technology
- The transformer substation is constructed using advanced fabrication techniques and durable materials, ensuring both structural integrity and aesthetic quality. The substation is built with a reinforced steel or concrete core, providing a secure, fully enclosed space for electrical components. The structure is engineered to meet strict safety regulations and withstand harsh environmental conditions in both urban and park settings. The outer shell consists of weathered corten steel or high-performance aluminum panels, chosen for their durability, low maintenance, and ability to develop a natural patina over time.
- Operation and Interaction
- Transformers are critical to the electrical grid, ensuring a stable and safe power supply for cities. This substation converts high-voltage electricity into usable levels for homes and businesses, preventing overloads and maintaining reliability. Fully enclosed with a concealed maintenance door, it blends into its surroundings while reducing noise and enhancing safety. Its efficient cooling and durable design make it a vital, resilient part of modern infrastructure, keeping the grid running smoothly.
- Project Duration and Location
- The project’s conceptual development began in 2019, with the design phase officially commencing in autumn 2024. The substation is intended for deployment in various urban and park environments, integrating seamlessly into different architectural contexts.
- Specifications
- This compact 4m x 3m urban transformer substation is fully enclosed for security and electrical safety, with no visible windows or standard openings. Designed to blend into both urban and industrial environments, it combines functionality with modern aesthetics. The exterior materials include corten steel, anodized aluminum, or composite basalt panels, ensuring weather resistance, durability, and low maintenance. The façade features laser-cut perforations in an organic pattern, creating dynamic light and shadow effects by day and soft LED illumination at night.
- Keywords
- urban transformer substation, critical infrastructure, architectural integration, perforated metal design, concealed access, passive cooling, modern urban design, sustainable infrastructure, electrical safety, public space aesthetics
