Adobe has added a fourth tower to its property as part of an expansion of its San José headquarters. As part of the headquarters extension project, a pedestrian bridge was created to connect the three campus towers seamlessly and provide a creative gateway to the city of San Jose. The bridge is visually striking and whimsical with Hou de Sousa-designed Blooms installations.
The agricultural past of the San Jose neighborhood, the range of colors Adobe and its tools represent, and the freedom they provide for everyone to explore their creative potential and imagination all served as inspiration for “Blooms.” After crossing the bridge, one is engulfed in a dreamlike experience as one approaches the canopy of “Blooms,” each tree having a distinct range of color and geometry that entices investigation and discovery.
Aluminum plates as thin as 1/8” (3.175 millimeters) are used to make the trees; they are slotted and welded together to create a structural lattice. Each was intended to weigh no more than 500 pounds (226.796 kilograms) and be put together in six sections on-site using specially made stainless steel fasteners. In consultation with the bridge engineers and contractors, structural connections were planned in advance of construction to provide a smooth transition between the tree trunks and the pedestrian walking surface.
The distinctions between materiality, light, and sculptural form were blurred by the thoughtful integration of lighting and structure. Vibrant colors flow from the Adobe logo at street level and ascend to give energy to the “roots” that spread light and life throughout the bridge and tree overstory, illuminating the San Jose cityscape at night. Concurrently, the headquarters’ existing roof terrace got a comprehensive makeover that included an integrated connection to the recently constructed pedestrian bridge and Founder’s Tower. Three benches were created to blend in with the tree canopy that crosses the pedestrian bridge and serve as a connecting element between the old and new parts of the campus.
The chair promotes tactile interaction and provides a place to relax and have casual conversations. The red focal point, which unites the new and old campuses, serves as a gateway that frames San Jose and the surrounding area simultaneously. The rounded shapes of the benches, which preserve the visual language of the tree canopies, offer comfort, and in the evening, the integrated lighting gives the impression of a lantern.
Project Info
Project Name: Blooms
Location: San Jose, CA
Architecture Firm: Hou de Sousa
Architect: Nancy Hou and Josh de Sousa
Project Year: 2024
Built / Unbuilt: Completed
Area: 2050 sq ft (approximately 190.451 square meters)
Photographer: Hou de Sousa
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