Somerset stone sculpture planned for luxury over-55s independent living community in Taunton

A sculptor is using two 9ft Somerset stones to create a breath-taking piece of public art for the grounds of the independent-living luxury apartment complex that we are currently constructing in Taunton.

New stone sculpture coming to Taunton

Olivia Sanders, who lives on the Somerset Levels, has chosen two 9ft stones including a red sandstone block from west Somerset and a ham stone block from Ham Hill in east Somerset, which will each feature one cut and polished side. The stone blocks, which collectively weigh eight tons, equivalent to the weight of around four and a half cars or 2,500 bricks, will create a sculpture for the landscaped gardens of Quantock House.

Quantock House is an eight-storey luxury apartment complex for people aged 55 and over in Paul Street in the town centre, which will feature 89 luxury one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. The homes at Quantock House are made affordable as part of a government-backed shared ownership scheme delivered in partnership with Homes England. Prices start from £117,500, based on a homebuyer paying 50% of the property’s full retail value.

A public open event for Quantock House will take place from 17 to 23 May this year, which will enable viewers to have the first pick of the apartments to be reserved off-plan. Enhanced Covid-safe measures will be in place for the benefit of visitors and the team and places must be booked in advance.

Meet the sculptor Olivia Sanders

Olivia said: “I wanted to make a sculpture that responded to this contemporary 21st-century building, while also making a bridge between the building and its location in the heart of Somerset. I started thinking about the geology of Somerset and I thought about how the vale of Taunton is directly halfway between these two types of stone. There are also some very good examples of these two stones used together in some historical architecture in Taunton itself.

“It is about making something that is not only relevant to Somerset, and which can connect the building and its location, but which is also accessible to the public. The public will be able to go and stand between these stones at the junction point between them and the building, and be simultaneously in touch with ancient geological time, contemporary time, and our human timeline, and also between Somerset’s rural and urban landscape.

“I think Quantock House is an exciting building and I’m looking forward to seeing it all finished, with the sculpture in place, because you can draw it and imagine it, but the reality is the next step.”

Olivia’s sculpture will be installed in the gardens of Quantock House when all internal and external work is completed on the building, which is now scheduled for October this year. The property is in the town centre, enabling easy access to the local amenities for the residents.

Living at Quantock House, Taunton

Homeowners will be able to socialise in the communal TV and residents’ lounges, dine in the bistro and have a drink in the bar area, take part in a range of classes in the activity room, as well as enjoying some time for pampering in the treatment room.

For more information and to register an interest in an apartment at Quantock House, call our Relationship Managers on 01202 040996.