Sound and Vision: A New Bandstand for Linmere Park

A new permanent artwork and public bandstand has recently been installed at Green Park in Linmere, Houghton Regis, bringing together art, music and community within a distinctive new structure. Sound and Vision was conceived and designed by artist Tom Pearman as a contemporary interpretation of the traditional park bandstand. While retaining its familiar role as a place for people to gather, perform and enjoy music, the design introduces a strong visual identity inspired by sound itself.

Pearman based the structure around four fundamental sound waveforms: sine, square, sawtooth and triangle. These shapes are translated throughout the bandstand using line, pattern, perforation and colour, creating a structure that changes as visitors move around and through it. One of its most distinctive features can be found within the roof. A series of perforated panels allow daylight to pass through, projecting changing patterns of circles, squares and triangles onto the surfaces below. The result is an additional layer of movement, light and shadow that develops throughout the day.

From concept to fabrication

A.J Wells & Sons worked with Tom Pearman and the wider project team on the fabrication development and installation of the bandstand, helping to translate the original artistic concept into a permanent structure suitable for its public setting. The project brought together expertise from public art, structural engineering, landscape architecture and specialist fabrication. Working collaboratively was particularly important in ensuring the artistic character of the design could be retained while meeting the practical requirements of a structure intended for long term public use.

A place for the community

Community participation also played an important part in the project. Creative workshops with Thornhill School and The Chiltern School explored sound, play and the surrounding landscape, with audio recordings and other material created through the programme forming part of the wider project.

Interpretation panels will accompany the finished bandstand, allowing visitors to discover more about this work and listen to recordings created during the engagement programme. An official opening is planned for September 2026, when a brass band and community event will celebrate the completion of the project and its new role within Linmere.

We are pleased to have played our part in bringing this imaginative piece of public art to life and look forward to seeing it become a well used focal point for the local community.

Photography: Sean Pollock and Tom Pearman