Oak Knoll community | Oakland, CA | Waterjet-cut Corten steel | Two, layered panel pairs, each panel: 4’ H x 19’ 2” L
The Oak Knoll community is a master-planned community on 187 acres of land that was once the Oak Knoll Naval Medical Center, located approximately 12 miles southeast of Oakland, CA. The project included the restoration of Rifle Range Creek, 80 acres of open space, parks, and trails, including the 120-foot-long Rifle Range Creek Bridge. Originally built in 1942, the Corten steel, gusset-truss vehicle and pedestrian bridge is the primary access to much of the Oak Knoll community’s residential subdivisions.
In 2017, SunCal, the master developer of the Oak Knoll property, issued a regional Call to Artists seeking an artist to create a permanent artwork that reflects the natural setting of the site. The artwork was to exhibit aesthetic and visual strengths from a variety of perspectives, and constructed from low-maintenance, weather-resistant materials suitable to a high-use site.
Gordon’s concept focused on the ubiquitous California oak, a species native to the open landscape of Northern California and the namesake of Oak Knoll and the city of Oakland. The oak is known for the twisting growth patterns of its branches and has long been used as a symbol of strength, stability, resilience and longevity. The artwork consists of two layers of waterjet-cut Corten steel panels featuring a detailed pattern of an oak tree’s signature twisting silhouette. This delicate design provided a balance to the strong, rectilinear orientation of the bridge. Gordon’s choice of Corten steel, with its unique rust-like patina, further harmonized the artwork with the construction of the bridge and the natural setting of the Oak Knoll community. Integrated LED lighting was also included, providing a visually appealing nighttime beacon at the gateway to Oak Knoll’s residential areas.
