Gormley statues installed in Edinburgh

Antony Gormley’s first public commission in Scotland – '6 Times' – has been unveiled in Edinburgh.

In Gormley’s signature style the permanent outdoor exhibition features six life-sized figures positioned between the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the sea.

Having previously partnered with Gormley - most notably on the Turner Prize winning Angel of the North at Gateshead – Arup was appointed as civil and structural engineer. Arup also provided environmental and ecological consultancy, drawing on extensive river knowledge from implementing a long-term flood reduction program for the City of Edinburgh Council.

"Our purpose on the project was to ensure the designs were practical to install and maintain, and that they met planning requirements" explains project manager, Ian Downie. "To achieve this we worked closely with the Gormley Studio ensuring the foundation design didn’t compromise Gormley’s artistic vision."

To obtain planning approval, Arup had to ensure the statues wouldn’t obstruct water flows after heavy rainfall, allowing debris to build up and exacerbate flooding. A clever solution mitigates this risk, designing the statues to topple over in the event of particular levels of flooding.

Another way that water influenced design was where low water levels at two locations were likely to result in the statue foundations being exposed. To prevent this, the steel foundation plates were recessed into the riverbed, preserving the artistic impact of the installations. Other sites presented contrasting challenges with high water levels, where Arup incorporated submerged steel plinths to elevate the position of the statues.

With an abundance of wildlife in and around the river, timing was a crucial factor for installation. Dates were carefully chosen to avoid both fish spawning and bird breeding seasons. As Ecological Clerk for the works, Arup also advised on project’s potential impact on protected species such as otters and kingfishers.

More information on the '6 Times' exhibition is available from the Scottish National Gallery.