Engine Common’s past inspires striking new sculpture. The piece which celebrates the industrial heritage of South Gloucestershire has been installed within a new collection of zero carbon homes at Engine Common.
The Artist
The Great Beam was designed and made by Somerset-based artist Adam Blencowe for our Great Oaks development. The Great Beam pays tribute to the beam engines that once powered the region’s collieries.
Crafted from reclaimed timbers salvaged from a former railway bridge, the piece now stands proudly at the heart of the new community of 84 new homes at Engine Common. It offers a place to pause, sit, play and connect. A formal unveiling event will take place next year, once the landscape surrounding The Great Beam has matured.
With 85% of the new zero carbon homes now sold, the development has quickly established itself as a thriving new community.
Starting point for the design
Adam worked closely with the South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group (SGMRG) to explore the area’s mining history. Engine houses were a common feature of the mining landscape, within which a beam engine pumped water out of the mines. Most of the area was mined for coal, but ochre, celestine, iron, lead and stone were also mined locally. The shape of a beam engine was Adam’s starting point for the design of the new artwork at Great Oaks.
Workshop for children at North Road Primary School
Adam also ran a mobile-making workshop for children at North Road Primary School. The workshop was inspired by the principles of the beam and fulcrum that were used to power the beam engines.
Adam explains: “I wanted The Great Beam to be something people could really enjoy. Not just to look at, but to touch, sit on and explore. The piece is all about connection: between people, between past and present, and between the new community and its historical surroundings.”
Sasha Sutherland, Designer for Newland Homes, helped commission the artwork: “Great Oaks is now home to many new residents. The Great Beam celebrates how Engine Common has come full circle, from its coal-fuelled past to a clean energy future. The children loved climbing and playing on it. I hope others will enjoy it just as much, whether it’s a place for quiet reflection or for a clamber and chat!”
Zero carbon homes
Our highly efficient, zero carbon homes at Great Oaks are equipped with the latest technology to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. This provides a cleaner and greener alternative to homeowners and transforms the way homes are designed and run.
Each home has high levels of insulation, solar panels for electricity generation, air source heat pumps for hot water and heating, and an electric car charging point. The new homes achieve an EPC ‘A’ rating for both energy efficiency and environmental impact. This makes them the absolute pinnacle of sustainable development and far surpassing the UK’s current building regulations. Indeed, some of the homes at Great Oaks achieve scores above the top possible rating.
Allotments and natural children’s play area
Great Oaks also boasts its own set of allotments, available to homeowners on a first come, first served basis, adjacent to a new natural children’s play area.
Prices at Great Oaks start from £390,000 for a three bedroom semi-detached home. Only eight homes remain for sale, including the Hampton four bedroom detached view home with all furniture included for £555,000. Tailor-made appointments are available daily, please call 01454 537993 to book. For further information and to view homes online click here or follow Newland Homes on socials @newlandhomes
Newland Homes worked with public art consultant, Suzanne Heath, to find the artist and deliver The Great Beam project.
Newland Homes Limited is a property developer registered in England and Wales number 2582221.
Registered office: Brighouse Court, Barnett Way, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3RT.
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