Aurora

From the Bering Strait to the Golden Gate, bridges have connected people throughout the course of history. While the principle purpose of this ancient form of infrastructure has been to get from point A to point B, Aurora reconsiders the fundamental purpose of bridges by transforming the journey into the destination itself. Inspired by the confluence of Guadalupe River and Los Gatos Creek, Aurora interweaves a multitude of trajectories and moments of intersection into a network of possibilities and discoveries.

As the riverbank slopes downward, Aurora arcs gently towards the sky, creating a public experience that intertwines with multiple tiers of nature, from ground level, to striding alongside leaves and branches, to peaking above the canopy.

A set of pathways at ground level reflects the pedestrian bridge above. This provides shade on sunny days and shelter during inclement weather. Interspersed within the project’s circulation routes is a mosaic of public programs, community facilities, cultural centers, and green spaces that collectively serve as the heart of downtown San Jose’s future expansion.

In 2020, Aurora was entered into the Urban Confluence Competition, an open call for proposals seeking iconic solutions for Silicon Valley on a monumental scale.