The development is designed around a pocket park. The integration of artworks at this neighbourhood level facilitates the growing sense of community and ownership of the village green.

The concept for the strategy arose from site visits and walking the footpaths. The abundance of algae and lichens in the area attest to the hollow where the development is located. The cyanobacteria have a symbiotic relationship; the lichens are a composite organism emerging from algae or cyanobacteria living in fungi. The form of the benches designed by Agnes Jones, illustrates the breakdown of formal structures that humans impose on the environment, emulating the form of the lichens. The inter-related nature of ecosystems is explored when objects are placed that reference unseen organisms and the microscopic.

Maggie – Hollow Lane resident – said of the artwork

‘love the bench growing into lichen ….but the railings are fab too!’

Agnes is an emerging artist and a member of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths and Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. She was shortlisted for Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque Prize 2014 and more recently has featured in the BBC Scotland’s programme Loop.

Strategy and commission: ‘Worlds within worlds and homes within homes‘

Artist: Agnes Jones

Material: steel, hand forged and painted

Location: Hollow Lane Chelmsford

Client: Countryside Properties (UK) Ltd.