SCARBOROUGH Group International (SGI) has launched a sculpture design competition in collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art (ECA).
The initiative invites students to design a permanent public artwork for Base, its Grade A office redevelopment in west Edinburgh.
The launch of the competition has been marked by a site visit, bringing participating students together with the professional design team behind Base.
The visit gave students the opportunity to experience the building and its public realm first-hand, to understand the context for the proposed sculpture, and to discuss the brief directly with the architects and engineers delivering the project.
Base is the transformation of the former Younger Building on Redheughs Avenue into a c.90,000 sq ft workplace designed around flexibility, sustainability and people. The sculpture commission forms part of SGI’s wider placemaking strategy, with the artwork intended to act as a distinctive focal point at the building’s main arrival point, contributing to the character and identity of the area’s evolving business district.
Nicola Bulley, group marketing and business development director at SGI, said,
“This competition reflects our wider Responsible Business commitment as a group, combining social value with placemaking in a very tangible way. By commissioning a permanent piece of public art, we’re using creativity to shape the sense of arrival and identity at Base, while working in collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art to support emerging talent and contribute to the cultural life of the city.”
The competition is supported by the professional team delivering Base, including lead architect AHR and engineering consultancy Buro Happold, both of whom are engaging directly with students throughout the process.
Manisa Mistry, associate director at AHR, commented, “We’re proud to be supporting the students as they bring their ideas to life through a project that reflects our commitment to thoughtful placemaking and the reuse of existing buildings. Base shows how careful redevelopment can retain the value of what’s already there while creating a healthier, people-focused place for the future. Working with Scarborough Group International and Edinburgh College of Art, it’s been a pleasure to connect young people with a real project that will have a lasting presence in West Edinburgh.”
Erlend Scott, associate director at Buro Happold, added, “Public art has the power to transform spaces and create a sense of identity, which is why we’re excited to support this competition. Collaborating with Edinburgh College of Art gives students a unique opportunity to engage with real-world design challenges, while ensuring the sculpture complements the engineering and architectural vision for Base. It’s a great example of how creativity and technical expertise can come together to shape inspiring places.”
Dr Marcus Jack, director of outreach and lecturer in contemporary Art Theory at Edinburgh College of Art, said, “Scarborough Group has extended a wonderful offer to the students at Edinburgh College of Art to realise a large-scale public artwork in our city. This commission is a fantastic springboard for an artist at the very start of their career and we can’t wait to see how their ideas will take form.”
The competition will progress through shortlisting and further design development, with one final proposal selected for installation in summer 2026 and a public unveiling planned later in the year.
