The project will be placed at the Confluence of the Guadalupe River and Los Gatos Creek in the most important Urban park in Silicon Valley, located in downtown San Jose.
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.
No. The original inspiration for the project was the San Jose Electric Light Tower, constructed in 1881. The International Open Ideas Competition entrants are encouraged to develop new designs that respect the natural environment and embrace the extraordinary spirit of Silicon Valley innovation.
The primary goal of the project is to create a new, distinctive, world-class public landmark in downtown San Jose, Silicon Valley’s largest urban center. It will be a gathering place that produces civic pride and spurs economic development. The purpose is to inspire future generations with an urban masterpiece. This powerful and enduring icon will be the place every visitor MUST SEE when coming to Silicon Valley—and where locals go often because they LOVE it. San Jose is the largest city in Silicon Valley, an area that fuels the imagination of the world as the heart of innovation and technology—yet the region is still without a bold iconic landmark to define itself. Given its Mediterranean climate, a highly educated and diverse work force, proximity to world-class universities, and access to immense financial capital, the region is poised to make a statement that defines and unites the citizenry’s technological prowess in harmony with our natural surroundings.
In March 2019 the San Jose City Council unanimously approved Arena Green at Guadalupe River Park and Gardens as the project location. Arena Green is located on West Santa Clara Street adjacent to SAP Center, San Jose’s world-class sports and entertainment venue. This site is a short walk from Diridon Station (the future “Grand Central Station of the West”) and the VTA Light Rail system. The location was recommended as the best option following an independent study of seven downtown sites conducted by Steinberg Hart.
We are working closely with the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy to ensure that this project enhances their current efforts and improves this significant area of San Jose. The design will respect the environment including the riparian corridor.
The proposed project site is Arena Green, which is located across the street from SAP Center and the proposed GOOGLE transit-oriented village. While there are currently no formal connections with these organizations, the San Jose Light Tower Corporation plans to collaborate with all of its neighbors.
The diverse jury will include global place-makers and design experts from many professions. Jurors will not be allowed to have any ties to entrants.
Register here. There is no fee to enter.
The International Open Ideas Competition is now accepting submissions. The winning design will be chosen in July 2020. Once a final concept has been selected, the design team and contractor will work closely with local, state and federal agencies, environmental organizations, and community groups to assure compliance with all rules and regulations.
The construction budget will be established based on the San Jose City Council approved project design.
Through exceptional and enthusiastic fundraising efforts, the San Jose Light Tower Corporation has successfully privately funded all phases of this project thus far by developing strong working partnerships with local government, community groups, and philanthropic organizations. A capital campaign to fund construction of the project will begin once a design for the project is selected.
San Jose Light Tower Corporation plans to fully pay for construction of the project and provide it as a gift to the City of San Jose.
No. The overall competition budget will be addressed during the latter phase of the project that selects the winner of the competition.
No. San Jose Light Tower Corporation plans to fully pay for construction of the project and provide the project as a gift to the City of San Jose.
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Answers are subject to change due to ongoing developments.
