Client: Stanley Martin, Hyattsville Community Development Corporation

Overview

The acorn, as a seed, is a symbol of growth and unlimited potential. It possesses the “oak knowledge”, all that it needs within to create the mighty oak. How one acorn can grow into a massive oak and seed a whole forest, the acorn teaches us about our own potential. The oak is the producer of Stanley Martin’s emblem, the acorn. Acorns are the beginning of statuesque oak trees, known for their strength and resilience. Stanley Martin will be providing quality homes to the community of Hyattsville, a community that embraces the artistic merit and spirit. Just outside of DC, Hyattsville is a community rich in history and as interconnected as the roots of a forest floor. Creative Metal Design provided the Hyattsville community with a sculpture that evokes a sense of strength and resilience.

Goals

Pete and his team proposed to fabricate a mighty oak tree out of aluminum. The tree has leaves out of various metals at the end of its branches and as the light changes, as well as the seasons, the leaves will glow to whatever type of light it touches. The Sculpture will provoke a double take effect from the bystander because the tree will play off of the landscape design of the environment.

Process

The trunk and larger branches are fabricated out of sliced aluminum pipe of various diameters and then welded together. The leaves are made out of copper, aluminum, polished stainless steel, and brass and are hand formed and hammered to give them their organic form.