‘It began as a conversation with Ramboll and became a legacy gift from 50 companies to Glasgow.’ Steuart Padwick – Artist/Designer
Working with principle build partners, Ramboll, Aggregate Industries, Urban Union and Keltbray the Hope Sculpture is a showcase of how the construction industry can respond to build better and more sustainably as we transition to a net zero future.
It is the centre piece of three public art installations by Steuart Padwick located across Glasgow, 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.
At 20m high, the monumental Hope Sculpture represents a beacon of hope and positivity towards reaching global environmental milestones, located in Clyde Gateway’s beautiful woodland park at Cuningar Loop. Its long, elegant columns 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. On top of the columns is an age, gender, race neutral child, embracing the surrounding nature and is reaching out to a greener, hopeful future. It too is constructed using 100% cement free concrete and recycled crushed glass. Hidden from view, but significant also to the carbon impact of the build are re-claimed steel gas pipes used for the piling and recycled rebar, all contributing to the Hope Sculpture’s huge 75% lower carbon impact.
“We all need to address this new global agenda so our young can embrace a future of hope. It is very simple, why would anyone want to poison their future?” Steuart Padwick
Natalie Alexopoulos, Hope Project Director “The most remarkable thing about this project has been collaborating with these companies and individuals. Their integrity, drive and commitment to make a difference has been inspiring.”
Alan Dowdall, Director, Buildings at Ramboll said “The carbon savings on this project are huge and it demonstrates what can be achieved when you approach projects with a lean construction mindset, you are sensible with materials and can hone the design early on.”
Neil McKay, Managing Director of Urban Union, adds: “The construction industry has an incredibly important role to play in helping to reduce the world’s carbon emissions. By using sustainable and reclaimed materials, this sculpture will serve as a striking reminder of our climate change ambitions while also providing a legacy from COP26 which can be enjoyed by the local community for decades to come.”
Two further sculptures include the ‘Beacon of Hope’ at Glasgow Central Station and the Hope Triptych located at Strathclyde university both feature the Child of Hope. Made from contoured layers of FSC Scottish-grown Sitka Spruce, the Beacon of Hope celebrates the expanding timber construction industry that Scotland is developing, whilst the Hope Triptych is a playful adaptation of the Child of Hope, composed of three colourful figures, symbolising the power of coming together and made from reclaimed sheet steel with a low carbon cement-free concrete foundation.
Dragan Maksimovic, CEO of Aggregate Industries, member of Holcim said: “Our organisation is transforming itself, globally and locally, to become the leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. That’s why we are proud to be supporting such an iconic project with a bespoke cement free product developed by the Aggregate Industries’ technical experts in close partnership with the project team. This high strength product is part of ECOPact Max green concrete range, reducing the carbon footprint by more than 70% compared to a standard concrete mix. If we can achieve that on a singular project, just imagine what we can do if we use these sustainable solutions at a large scale, redesigning neighbourhoods and cities.”
The project, supported by Glasgow City Council is part of the official COP26 legacy and will form an important part of making a difference beyond COP.
Paul Deacy Managing Director, Demolition & Civil Engineering at Keltbray: “Keltbray is honoured to be a part of The Hope Sculpture project. The sculpture is a powerful symbol and it means a lot to us to be able to help deliver such an important beacon of hope. Our values are very much aligned with the project, as sustainability and wellbeing are embedded in everything we do as a business. We have very much enjoyed collaborating with the other businesses involved to bring this meaningful sculpture to the people of Glasgow.”
Linking our 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 as well as local school children. These words have been inscribed directly onto all the sculptures.
Each sculpture has mental health signposting close by to offer a range of support.
Climate change is a global emergency and one in which we all have a role to play. To inspire action and share messages of hope across the world, Padwick teamed up with Glaswegian BAFTA winner, Hannah Currie, and All3Media’s Bullion Productions to produce a thought-provoking film titled ‘A Conversation of Hope.’ Rooted in Glasgow, but with a universal message.
The team has also developed dedicated activities for school children, giving an insight to the wide-ranging exciting career opportunities in the construction sector. The games, tasks and discussion topics highlight the significant role designers, engineers, constructors, and scientists all play in creating a more sustainable 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.”
The Hope Sculpture Project Team
Artist and Designer – Steuart Padwick
Project Lead/Director - Natalie Alexopoulos
Clients/Locations
The Hope Sculpture, Cuningar Loop – Clyde Gateway
The Hope Triptych, Rottenrow Gardens – University of Strathclyde
The Beacon of Hope, Central Station – Network Rail
Principle Build Partners
Aggregate Industries (member of Holcim), development/supply of low carbon cement free concrete, Keltbray, precast columns, lifting and installation, Ramboll, lead consultant, engineering design, carbon assessment & walking cycle trail design, Urban Union (part of Robertson Group), lead contactor / site management
Build Partners
A&D Sutherland, supplier of Caithness stone, preparation and lettering, Ainscough, cranes for installation, BSW Group, providing timber for Beacon of Hope, Buro Happold, lighting design, Cairnhill Structures/Watson Towers Group, bending & welding of Hope Triptych, Careys, piling mat and cap and groundworks, Central FS Lighting, lighting installation, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC), factory/machinery for timber Beacon of Hope, Dryden Aqua, recycled glass aggregate for Hope Sculpture, Dyce Carriers, transport, ECOSystems, maker of timber Beacon of Hope, EDRMedeso, CAD support, GAP Group, perimeter fencing, trac mats, water bowser and road plates, Graham, scaffolders, Guard Industry, concrete sealant, H-Bau, Cretcon formwork tubes (for precast), supporting ring moulds, HD Collins, lighting components, Jarvie, welfare units J&P Building Systems, UK supplier for H-Bau and Pfeifer, John Lawrie, supplier of recycled piling tubes, JR Adam & Sons, reclaimed steel for Hope Triptych, LB Foundations, piling installation, NSS, access platform, NWH, material recovery, ensuring waste from the build was transformed into a valuable resource, Omega Red Group, Lightning Connector, Patrick Thorn, 3D scanning, Pfeifer, structural metal work for precast columns and column anchor fixings, Phoenix Drilling, site investigations, Plean Precast, child sculpture pre-cast, PossilPark Shotblasting, Hope Triptych paint finish, Prime Secure, The Hope Sculpture site security, Rainton Construction Scotland, laying paving and bench installation, RMD KwikForm, falseworks scaffold,scaffold design and support, Romtech, supplier of recycled steel rebar, Skanska, infrastructure and cementation design and fabrication, Stoane Lighting, providing lighting fittings, Studiotech, lighting programming.
Project Collaborators
All3Media Group/Bullion Productions, ‘Conversation of Hope’ film production, Arcade, augmented reality Hope Sculpture App, Avanti West Coast, train tickets, BikeTown, supporting community outreach, British Geological Survey, supporters of Hope Sculpture Project, Camglen Radio, supporting community outreach, Dirt Comms, additional PR support/Scotland, Factory73, web development, Farrer Kane, PR support, Forestry & Land Scotland, Cuningar Loop leaseholders and supporters, FourFifteen, industry film producers and photography, Glasgow City Council, supporters of the Hope Sculpture project, Healthy n Happy, supporting community outreach, Mental Health Foundation, mental health messaging and signposting, Nature Scot, supporters of the Hope Sculpture project, Radisson Red Glasgow, accommodation, ScotRail, train tickets, Scottish Enterprise, supporters of the Hope Sculpture project, South Lanarkshire Council, supporters of the Hope Sculpture project, Stand Agency, web brand guidelines, St James Arts/Nigel Rubenstein, PR support/Arts, UN Climate Champions Team/ Race To Zero, supporters of the Hope Sculpture project, Vision Events Glasgow, AV production & technical support, Voco, Grand Central, an IHG Hotel, accommodation, Zero Waste Scotland, materials supporter
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Editor Notes
Social media tags
#hopesculpture #hopetriptych #beaconofhope #COP26Legacy #racetozero
About the build & materials
The structure is made from special environmentally-friendly ‘cementless’ concrete and the H-BAU Rapidobat Cretcon formwork is made from recyclable cardboard. J&P Building Systems also supplied the PFEIFER Column Shoes and foundation anchors to transfer the loads of the structure into the foundation.
Where possible all materials designed and selected for the project have either been reclaimed, recycled, or are sustainable. The construction is being approached in the lowest carbon way, mostly using locally sourced materials and suppliers.
The Hope Sculpture, located at the Cuningar Loop park is constructed from 100% cement free concrete and includes recycled gas pipes for the piling. The bespoke cement free product has been developed by the Aggregate Industries’ technical experts in close partnership with the project team. This high strength product is part of their ECOPact Max green concrete range and reduces the carbon footprint by more than 70% compared to a standard concrete mix. Also incorporated in the concrete mix is recycled steel rebar. The cement free concrete mix design utilises a local Duntilland Dolerite aggregate and sand and the cast child (made out of ECOPact Max+), includes 20% recycled glass aggregate from Dryden Aqua, who recycle about a quarter of Scotland’s glass. The addition of glass to this structural concrete is made possible due to the mix being cement free. Locally quarried Caithness stone will form the landscaping and benches. Soft, low energy lighting is respectful of the environment and of local wildlife and uses fittings designed and manufactured in Scotland for the Circular Economy.
The industry has long been championing the use of modern methods of construction to transform how projects are delivered. This build is a showcase for offsite manufacturing delivering greater efficiencies, higher quality, safer solutions and lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional construction methods.
The Beacon of Hope located at Network Rail’s Glasgow Central Station is being constructed in Sustainably Managed FSC Scottish Grown Sitka Spruce. It celebrates the growing CLT timber construction industry that Scotland is developing.
The Hope Triptych located at Strathclyde University’s Rottenrow Gardens is constructed from reclaimed folded sheet steel and its foundation will be made of cement free concrete.