Rosewood
Sculptural Oak Seating
FrancisKnight were 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 belts 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 sought to retain and enhance biodiversity habitat and geological interest, both within the scheme and to its boundaries. The areas fronting the natural boundary would be sown with wildflower seed mixes incorporating ecological elements such as bird boxes, wildlife stacks, and piles of logs and stones.
FrancisKnight have appointed Walter Bailey, as the Lead Artist, and together we have collaborated 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 would be achieved by working closely with the Landscape Architects and the Design Team. Research was undertaken around various themes, historical connections and existing uses as well as identifying proposed locations for public art.
The artist’s concept ideas were inspired by the large feature oak tree and the study of oak galls. “My sculptural oak furniture poetically reflects these forms and celebrates our historic connection to the use of oak galls for communication, in the form of an ink made from iron and galls.”
In December 2023, planning was approved for two new permanent pieces of sculptural seating for The Green in the Rosewood development.