Lubna Chowdhary

Commissioned by Commissions East
Largest piece 600cm wide
Glazed brick 

Orchard Park is built on land which has a rich horticultural history. Chivers Jams and Unwins Seeds had been primary employers and this created a deep connection to the land, on both a domestic and industrial level. ¶ The commission for the new Orchard Park estate, was to create art which would bring an identity to the estate and become an aid to orientation within it. ¶ Three communal areas within the estate were  landscaped, resulting in the design of seating, paving and planting schemes for each. ¶ An essential function of each space was to catalyse community cohesion. The seats, based on seed forms, are positioned centrally within the open garden spaces. Larger in scale and more accommodating than conventional park benches, their curved lines stimulate interaction between people using them. ¶ New planting schemes include local historical fruits and plants, creating opportunities for future activities such as fruit picking, basket weaving and jam making, around which the community can gather, interact and grow. ¶ The project was shortlisted for the 2011 Brick Awards.