Public art is a key part of how we create places with identity and at Base, we’re putting that into practice. We’ve launched a sculpture design competition with Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), inviting students to design a permanent public artwork for Base, our landmark Grade A office redevelopment in West Edinburgh.
Base is our transformation of the former Younger Building on Redheughs Avenue into a c.90,000 sq ft modern workplace, designed around flexibility, sustainability and people. The sculpture commission forms part of our 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 West Edinburgh’s evolving business district.
We marked the launch of the competition with a site visit on 8 January 2026, 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.
Nicola Bulley, Group Marketing & 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 on hand to provide advice to the 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.
