The Gatekeeper – Background to the Project

The Gatekeeper is a striking 12-metre-tall, 13-tonne contemporary public art installation created by artists Matt Baker and Dan Dubovitz, collectively known as Heisenberg. Commissioned to mark the completion of the third major rebuilding of Glasgow’s Gorbals area in the past 150 years, the sculpture stands as a bold symbol of regeneration and community identity.

The design required not only artistic precision but also advanced engineering expertise to bring the vision to life on a monumental scale. This is where Burnhouse Engineering’s technical capabilities and problem-solving skills proved essential.

Burnhouse Engineering’s Involvement

Interpreting and Refining the Design

Upon being awarded the contract, Burnhouse Engineering quickly discovered that the original design drawings—numbering several hundred—were overly complex for efficient fabrication. Our engineering team streamlined the design into just four main components without compromising artistic integrity. This approach reduced manufacturing complexity, improved structural efficiency, and made transportation to site significantly easier.

Overcoming Workshop and Site Challenges

One of the greatest initial challenges was accommodating the sculpture’s scale within our workshop. Careful planning and re-sequencing of production stages allowed us to fabricate the large steel components within the available space while maintaining precision.

The sculpture was transported to site in four prefabricated sections. On installation day, unforeseen access issues meant the delivery lorry could not position itself close to the unloading area. Thanks to prior contingency planning and the availability of a suitably large crane, our installation team was able to lift the sections over the site gate and assemble them on location without delay.

Engineering Expertise in Action

At Burnhouse Engineering, we believe there is no such thing as a “problem”—only challenges to be solved. The Gatekeeper project demonstrated our ability to adapt, innovate, and deliver under unusual constraints. From design simplification to overcoming logistical obstacles, our team ensured the sculpture was fabricated, transported, and installed to the highest standards.

Project Highlights

• Client: Heisenberg (Matt Baker & Dan Dubovitz)
• Location: Gorbals, Glasgow, Scotland
• Total Height: 12 metres
• Weight: 13 tonnes
• Fabrication: Streamlined from hundreds of components to four large sections
• Installation: Completed in one day using specialist cranes and site planning

Why Work With Burnhouse Engineering for Public Art Projects?

• Proven experience in large-scale steel fabrication
• Expertise in interpreting and simplifying complex design drawings
• Full in-house capability from concept development to on-site installation
• Problem-solving mindset with ISO9001-certified quality management