Member Article

Ainscough Crane Hire joins leading industry partners in collaborating on COP26 Hope Sculpture: a showcase for a sustainable future

“The Hope Sculpture started as a conversation with Ramboll and became a gift from 50 companies to Glasgow. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and dedication to deliver a better future” Steuart Padwick.

The engaging public art, by Steurt Padwick, is sited at three locations across Glasgow for COP26, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Ainscough Crane Hire supported the installation of the 23m high Hope Sculpture in the beautiful woodland park of Cuningar Loop, part of Clyde Gateway, Scotland’s biggest and most ambitious regeneration programme.

The 4.5m high Beacon of Hope is located at the city’s architecturally significant Glasgow Central Station and the 3.5m high Hope Triptych at the University of Strathclyde’s Rottenrow Gardens.

With each sculpture constructed using low carbon, reclaimed, recycled or sustainable materials, of which, almost all have been locally sourced. It is a showcase of how industry, organisations and people are committed to build more sustainably, as we transition to a net zero future.

The monumental Hope Sculpture features an age, gender, race neutral child, embracing the surrounding nature and reaching out to a greener, hopeful future. The child stands above towering, 20m high elegant columns that take their form from the brick chimney stalks that once littered the East End of Glasgow.

Unlike its predecessors, this deconstructed chimney stalk is made from an innovative new low carbon 100% cement free concrete incorporating locally sourced aggregates and recycled crushed glass in the child.

All lighting will be soft low energy and respectful of the environment and of local wildlife. using fittings designed and manufactured in Scotland for the Circular Economy.

The principal build partners for the project include lead consultant Ramboll, lead contractor Urban Union (part of Robertson Group), Aggregate Industries (member of Holcim) and Keltbray.

The Beacon of Hope at Glasgow Central has the Child of Hope reaching out to all those passing through the station. Made from contoured layers of FSC Scottish-grown Sitka Spruce, it celebrates the expanding timber construction industry that Scotland is developing.

Finally, Padwick’s third sculpture – the ‘Hope Triptych’ – is a playful 3.5m-high adaptation of the Child of Hope and is composed of three colourful figures, symbolising the power of coming together. Located at Rottenrow Gardens the triptych is made from reclaimed sheet steel with a low carbon cement-free concrete foundation.

Linking the built environment with improved mental well-being, Padwick has worked with Mental Health Foundation on all messaging. Words of Hope have been written by some of Scotland’s favourite voices, writers and poets including Jackie Kay, Andrew O’Hagan, Ali Smith, and 2020 Booker Prize winner Douglas Stuart as well as local school children.

These words have been inscribed directly onto all of the sculptures including the Caithness stones at Cuningar Loop. Each sculpture has mental health signposting close by to offer a range of support.

Gavin Egdell, Regional Operations Manager Scotland at Ainscough Crane Hire, said: “It’s an honour to be a part of this incredible public art installation, standing for a more sustainable future and greater mental health support. The sculpture encapsulates the commitment of all the partners involved to building more sustainably as we transition to a net zero future.”

Nigel Topping, UN High Level Climate Action Champion, COP26 said, “The monumental Hope sculpture is a powerful and much needed symbol of hope. It is a timely reminder that by taking better care of our environment we take better care of our own and our communities mental well-being.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Jones .