Yes, you may submit a previously designed object but be sure to follow submission guidelines.
Urban Confluence Silicon Valley is a project of the San Jose Light Tower Corporation (SJLTC), a nonprofit organization founded in 2017 by passionate community leaders with the bold vision of creating an artistic and iconic landmark for Silicon Valley and San Jose. The founders work closely with an engaged and diverse group of professionals including an Advisory Council with 65 active participants and over 200 current contributors. They intend to donate this legendary gift to the City of San Jose. The Open International Design Competition is now accepting submissions.
An International Open Ideas Competition is now accepting submissions. We are pleased to invite local, national, and international designers. This competition is open to students, artists, architects, landscape architects, urban planners, engineers, designers, place-makers, and creative individuals or teams everywhere.
Urban Confluence Silicon Valley entries will be reviewed by a jury of local leaders and internationally recognized artists and designers. In Phase 2, The Jury will choose three finalists (individuals or teams) who will each receive a $150,000 stipend to refine their project proposals. The Jury will then review these three proposals and recommend a single competition winner.
Since the site is located close to the airport and Highway 87, noise levels are allowed to be significant.
The competition site is Arena Green at Guadalupe River Park and Gardens, a public park used year round due to the mild climate of Silicon Valley. It is expected that successful submissions will increase activity in the park, not only during the day but also in the evening.
Yes. Arena Green is currently a city park open to the public, however it is underutilized. This project aims to increase activation at the site.
Submitters should include at least one image (rendering) of the proposed structure. Other drawings may be submitted, but please be mindful of the space available on the Design Presentation Board. Label aspects of these drawings if necessary. Submitters are encouraged to include ideas for the entire site as part of their “place-making" strategies.
Yes.
Yes, but each entry must have a unique email address. A complete submission for each entry must be provided.
Submitters must follow the Design Presentation Board template so all required aspects of the submission are clear to The Jury. However, final presentations should best demonstrate the design intent of submitters.
Please refer to page 23 of the Competition Brief.
Please refer to page 23 of the Competition Brief.
Yes.
Maximum heights vary on the site. We recommend that teams use 200 feet as a maximum height. Trees (as part of a roof deck, for example) are considered part of the total building height measurement.
Yes, provided it meets regulatory standards, does not impact flood protection, does not impact the riparian habitat, and is not a “lid” over the creek. Pedestrian bridges or arches can be considered.
No.
No.
Submitters should only submit the items requested. Additional materials will not be accepted.
Yes. Submissions are allowed to include ideas for one side of the site or the entire site.
A site tour was held on Saturday, October 26 and it will be available on the website soon.
Yes. Please pay particular attention to all constraints included in the brief.
The tennis courts can be relocated to another location on-site or off-site. Please see page 18 of the Competition Brief.
Each submission has a unique number and jurors will NOT know the names of submitters. The competition only asks for information about the submitting teams in order to communicate about the project’s competition and notify winners.
The scoring criteria to be used by the Community Competition Panel and the Jury to evaluate submittals in order to select the 3 finalists are currently being finalized. They will be posted on our website when complete.
Submitting individuals and teams are NOT required to present their proposals in person until the 3 finalists are announced.
There is currently no approved plan to remove or relocate the power poles and power lines. SJLTC is hopeful that the power lines will be relocated as part of the electrical infrastructure improvements required by ongoing developments in the area (including BART, Diridon Station, Google, and other massive projects). If any of the three finalists’ designs requires the power lines to be removed or relocated, the SJLTC will do everything in its power to accommodate this request, but SJLTC cannot currently guarantee that the power lines can be relocated
No.
All constraints in the brief must be followed (including limitations related to the environment, the riparian corridor, lighting, height, etc.)
No. This is clearly stated on the “Arena Green Map” in the “Resources for Submitters” section of the website.
Depth constraints are unknown. However certain underground structures exist on the East side of the site that are shown on the “Arena Green Map” in the “Resources for Submitters”.
The limit is 200’ for purposes of this phase of the ideas competition. Precise height limits are technically slightly higher, but this will be discussed when there are 3 finalists during Phase 2 of the competition.
Arena Green was ranked as the preferred site by the Steinberg Hart site selection study. OnMarch 12, 2019, the San Jose City Council unanimously approved this site with an 11 to 0 vote. Please see the “Lighting Guidelines” and “Biology Report –Arena Green” in the “Resources for Submitters” section of the website.
Please carefully follow the instructions that appear in the “Notes” section on the “Arena Green Map”.
No.
No 3D file is available.
It is acceptable to simply state your strategy for the entire park in your narrative.
You are encouraged to draw all important elements of your design and also include a description in your narrative.
SARA is the “Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency” of the City of San Jose. It includes various public officials tasked with disposing of properties formerly owned by the City of San Jose Redevelopment Agency before redevelopment was eliminated by the State of California.
They are used for daily public use and also for various large public events including concerts. The site is also used periodically for the start or finish of running and walking events.
The construction schedule will be determined once the winning idea has been selected.
Approximately 50 feet.
Criteria to be used by the Community Competition Panel and Jury to evaluate submittals and to select the 3 finalists will be posted by the end of November on the Urban Confluence Silicon Valley website.
