A transformer station in Dornach, Switzerland, designed in 1926 by Rudolf Steiner
Transformers were invented in the late 19th century, they made it possible to transmit electric energy at higher voltages over longer distances with less energy loss than before and are essential for the power grids we have today.
A transformerhouse from 1915 in Thompson Falls, MT
Sometimes, special buildings were created for the transformer stations to protect the equipment and the surrounding area, as well as for reasons of appearance. Those building were usually in or near inhabited areas to transform the high voltage back to what is used in the houses, their larger counterparts near power stations were much less put inside special buildings, but also these do exist.
We are looking for the historic transformer sub-station buildings here, the architecture, not the technology. Those stations were built from the late 19th century until into the mid-20th century. Some of them have been destroyed since, but there can still be found many of them around. They can be active, abandoned or converted to other uses like museums, stores, even apartments or distilleries.
Transformer station from 1898 in Rossland, BC, converted to a residence
A transformer station from the 1920s in Gelterkinden, Switzerland
They may have the shape of a tower or a house or a have a completely independent distinct architecture. Some are unobtrusive and do not attract attention, but others are representative and clearly show the pride of the community to be a part of the technological progress.
What we are NOT looking for:
Transformer technology without a real building or modern utility box type sub-stations, like these:
Pictures:
- Dornach by fi67
- Thompson Falls by BK-Hunters
- Rossland by BK-Hunters
- Gelterkinden by fi67
- polemount transformer 2004 by user Glogger *
- Modern transformer station in Germany 2005 by user Karlo *
* Pictures from Wikimedia used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license