San José Light Tower Corporation hopes to build Breeze of Innovation at Plaza de Cesar Chavez
October 14, 2022, San José, CA
A New Historic Home for Breeze of Innovation: Urban Confluence Silicon Valley announced they have made the important decision to consider building Breeze of Innovation at Plaza de Cesar Chavez instead of Arena Green. This decision was made because of challenges associated with Arena Green including environmental concerns with the riparian corridor, regulatory challenges, and air traffic noise.
After re-visiting all publicly owned and privately owned sites in and around downtown San Jose, the board of directors came to the unanimous conclusion that Plaza de Cesar Chavez, the cultural and historic center of downtown San José, is the best location for Breeze of Innovation.
Plaza de Cesar Chavez is, and always has been, the center of San José.
Breeze of Innovation will function as the artistic soul of Silicon Valley and help the city of San José thrive while inspiring locals and tourists alike. The landmark will be an urban masterpiece that exists in harmony with nature, builds civic pride, spurs economic development, and inspires future generations. This transformative design includes a net-zero energy approach that will become a powerful and enduring destination representing how Silicon Valley operates as a bridge from past to present to future.
Urban Confluence will always collaborate with important project partners as it creates a profound gift for the citizens of San Jose, Silicon Valley, and the world.
The organization plans to transform Plaza de Cesar Chavez into a world-class urban park by building Breeze of Innovation and design elements that show deep respect for Cesar Chavez, one of the most important American civil rights leaders of the 20th century.
Community dialogue began with members of the family of Cesar Chavez, including Chavez Family Vision and the Cesar Chavez Foundation. Both enthusiastically support the project vision and have committed to working cooperatively to complete this unique urban initiative.
Andres Chavez, the grandson of Cesar Chavez and Executive Director of the National Chavez Centers, says “We are excited to work with Urban Confluence Silicon Valley to dramatically improve Plaza de Cesar Chavez by adding a world-class design that includes Breeze of Innovation and elements that properly honors my grandfather Cesar Chavez.”
Rita Chavez Medina, the sister of Cesar Chavez and founder of Chavez Family Vision, says “The plaza can now realize its great potential as the historic cultural center of San Jose and honor my brother Cesar Chavez, one of the most important global humanitarian and civil rights leaders of the 20th century.”
Breeze of Innovation symbolizes people coming together, working together, and standing together.
The City of San Jose owns the park, so Urban Confluence will ALWAYS work arm-in-arm with city staff and the city council to plan all park details.
Urban Confluence plans to improve the park by carefully listening to all park stakeholders and addressing their needs.
Fer Jerez and Belen Perez de Juan (the creators of Breeze of Innovation) and their team will create design iterations at Plaza de Cesar Chavez which will be available soon.
The organization’s new board of directors is comprised of 11 important community leaders from San Jose including Gabriel Medina, a grandson of Cesar Chavez. Andres Chavez, another grandson of Cesar Chavez and Executive Director of the National Chavez Centers, is also a member of the board. These leading citizens are all fully committed to the successful completion of this game-changing project.
The time has come for San José to have its own signature landmark that fosters pride of place for the city, the entire Silicon Valley, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The power of art will be expressed through the merging of architecture and technology as this iconic landmark provides an enduring, uplifting expression of the triumph of the human spirit.
Breeze of Innovation—An ICON Awaits!
About Urban Confluence Silicon Valley:
Urban Confluence Silicon Valley is the bold project that is creating an artistically inspired and iconic structure that builds civic pride within San José and Silicon Valley. For more about this exciting and incredible journey from the past to the future for America's tenth largest city and Silicon Valley, or to get involved as a donor or champion, please visit http://www.urbanconfluencesiliconvalley.org/
About SMAR
SMAR Architecture Studio, founded by University of Western Australia Professor Fernando Jerez (PhD MArch ETSAM) in 2009 and co-directed by Belén Pérez de Juan, is an awarded architectural practice with offices in Australia, Spain, and Lithuania. SMAR Architecture Studio
