Urban Confluence Silicon Valley has announced SMAR Architecture Studio’s Breeze of Innovation as the winner of the global open ideas competition for an iconic landmark in Silicon Valley, California, US.
Fernando Jerez and Belén Pérez de Juan of SMAR Architecture designed the Breeze of Innovation.
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The winner has been selected from 963 submissions received from 72 countries on six continents, the competition jury comprising local, national and international design and place-making experts.
Located at Arena Green in Guadalupe Park and Gardens, San José, the project has raised more than $2.5m to date and fundraising efforts are ongoing.
The project is scheduled to go before the San José City Council for approval of the winning design this May.
The Breeze of Innovation is intended to create a dramatic visual effect of swaying in the wind by making use of the natural movement of 500 dynamic rods.
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By GlobalDataIt will also generate sufficient power to light the structure, giving it a strong presence during day and night.
Furthermore, the design envisions a conical void within a 200ft tower, creating a vertical space, multiple levels of walkways and a viewing platform that offers 360o views from the structure’s top.
An exhibition space and room for a café are among other features meant to inspire interaction and the activation of the site and its surroundings.
Jerez said: “Our goal from the beginning was to capture the ever-changing magic of Silicon Valley while also creating a deep connection with the San José community.
“This is why we came up with the idea of designing a dynamic landmark, one that is alive, moving with the wind and light, a magical space that includes a tribute to the San José Electric Light Tower of 1881.”
San José Light Tower’s Urban Confluence Silicon Valley project will be a destination landmark, providing a major enhancement to downtown San José.
