Rosewood
Public Art Delivery Plan at Rosewood
FrancisKnight has been appointed by Bellway Homes to develop a public art delivery plan and concept designs for the Rosewood development at Sutton Road, Maidstone, Kent.
Rosewood is part of a wider master plan for development on land to the south of the A274 Sutton Road. The development will provide 176 new homes, with a mix of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom family homes, apartments and maisonettes. Built within an attractive landscaped setting with significant belt(s) of existing trees.
Historic mapping has traced the site’s history from woodland/heath to deer park, orchards, arable farming; and most recently recreational and horticultural land. The residential layout for Rosewood spans between two attractive linear green spaces and is focused around a central pocket green.
The development proposals will seek to retain and enhance biodiversity habitat and geological interest both within the scheme and to its boundaries. The areas fronting the natural boundary will be sown with wildflower seed mixes incorporating ecological elements such as bird boxes, wildlife stacks, and piles of logs and stones.
FrancisKnight has appointed Walter Bailey, as the Lead Artist, and together they will collaborate in developing the public art delivery plan and concept designs. As a sculptor his primary material is wood and as Walter says, “Wood invites touch, generating a warmth that is all about the kinship of living things. Wood is a material that belongs, rising from soil only to return to nourish the soil. One of the primary trees I work with, English Oak, will last decades outdoors, age gracefully and then in its decay be food for other living beings.”
An overall vision for the public art at this development will be achieved by working closely with the Landscape Architects and the Design Team. Research will be undertaken around various themes, historical connections and existing uses as well as identifying proposed locations for public art, to ensure the most creative and commercial solutions are achieved.