Dovercourt Road, Lockleaze

Public Art Programme

About the Site

Occupying the site of the former Bristol City Council depot on Dovercourt Road in Lockleaze, this development provides 140 new homes as a mixture of houses and apartments, with a high proportion of these being affordable housing. Woodland and green space surround the site which is bounded to the west by trees, mature tree planting and Horfield Brook to the east, as well as Dovercourt Road allotments to the north.

Landscaping will be retained and enhanced on the eastern, southern and south western boundaries, with connective/recreational pedestrian routes through these areas.  Two play spaces will be developed in the site, alongside a Sustainable Drainage Attenuation Pond area in the south of the site.

The Artwork

Inspired by the site’s history and natural environment, Denman & Goulding are creating a series of interconnected artworks positioned around the site.

These include a series of sculptural installations informed by local species and habitats, designed to foster a connection between human and wildlife communities; a collection of informal seating structures, positioned around the pond; and integrated nesting provision for birds, bats and butterflies throughout the woodland corridor.

Designed together to provide a cohesive public art programme, materials will include weathered steel, oak, chestnut and cedar, responding to the site by bringing together industrial and natural elements.

The sculptural installations will be complimented by a community engagement programme that considers the stewardship of local wildlife.

“Being chosen to create this work is a real honour. The site’s unique setting – on the edge of woodland, water, and urban life – allows us to explore through sculpture what it means to feel part of an ecosystem, rather than apart from it.

This intersection of natural and built environments offers a powerful context for reconnecting with nature. We’re excited to develop a work that supports and highlights our connection to the natural world, while offering something meaningful and lasting to the community in Dovercourt” – Denman & Goulding

The Artists

Denman & Goulding are a collaborative art and design studio founded by artists Eleanor Goulding and Russell Denman. Working from rural Dorset, the duo create interdisciplinary projects that explore the relationship between people, place, and material. Their practice spans sculpture, installation, product design, and public art, often rooted in a deep sensitivity to landscape, the natural world, and local heritage.

At the heart of their work is a shared belief in thoughtful, enduring design and a slow, research-led approach to making. Whether making objects for everyday use or large-scale site-specific works, Denman and Goulding combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. Their projects often incorporate natural materials and processes, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and a strong connection to the environment.

They have exhibited widely and undertaken commissions for both public and private clients, collaborating with architects, councils, and cultural institutions. Their work invites quiet interaction and contemplation, encouraging audiences to consider their own relationships with the places and stories that surround them. Functionality is often woven into their practice – sculptures may double as bird habitats, and architectural interventions, such as courtyards, are designed with integrated seating—blurring the line between art, design, and utility

Design Code

On a cold January evening, people local to Dovercourt Road came along to the Cameron Centre, Lockleaze to help create a design code for future public art on the development site (and eat pizza!).  The workshop was led by a local creative practitioner Ellie Shipman.

We had such a great response from local people on what they love about public art and what they hate! What is so special about Lockleaze and what they want to celebrate in the new development.