hou de sousa's sculptural grove of trees and benches illuminate adobe san jose headquarters

creative blooms: a vibrant transition at the adobe campus

Hou de Sousa has installed a sculptural grove of trees in Adobe’s San Jose Headquarters, that injects the space with joyful color by day and radiates light like lanterns at night. Adobe’s recent expansion saw the addition of a fourth tower to their campus and a bridge to connect the new and existing, introducing a whimsical gateway to the city. Creativity Blooms, the vibrant installation, was inspired by the San Jose community’s agricultural history, the spectrum of color Adobe and its tools represent, and the freedom they offer anyone to unleash their creative potential and imagination. As one journeys across the space, they encounter the canopy of the latticed metal forms in a surreal circulation experience, with each tree featuring a unique spectrum of color and geometry that invites exploration and discovery. They invite visitors to take a moment to interact with their forms and rest amid their bubbling forms.

all images courtesy of Hou de Sousa

a sculptural grove of trees enhance public engagement

The trees of Creativity Blooms are composed of aluminum plates as thin as 1/8”, slotted and welded together to form a structural lattice. Hou de Sousa designed each to be a maximum weight of 500 lbs and to be assembled on site in six parts with custom stainless steel bolts. Structural connections were coordinated with the bridge engineers and contractors prior to construction so as to achieve a seamless transition between the tree trunks and pedestrian walking surface. Lighting and structure were also carefully integrated, blurring the lines between materiality, light, and sculptural form. At night, the bridge illuminates the San Jose skyline with vibrant hues, as colors emanate from the Adobe logo at street level, ascending to give energy to the ‘roots’ that spread light and life across the bridge and tree overstory.

The existing roof terrace at the headquarters simultaneously underwent a full renovation that includes an integrated connection to the newly built Founder’s Tower and pedestrian bridge. The team introduced a trio of benches to complement the tree canopy stretching across the pedestrian bridge and help link the new and existing portions of the campus. The seating invites tactile engagement and an opportunity for repose and informal meetups. Positioned at the intersection of the new and existing campus, the red centerpiece acts as a gateway that simultaneously frames San Jose and the surrounding landscape. Maintaining the aesthetic language of the tree canopies, the benches’ rounded forms provide comfort, while the integrated lighting creates a lantern-like appearance during evening hours.

the project’s second phase included a trio of bubbly benches that light up like lanterns at night

a unique color spectrum was applied to each latticed bench and coordinated with the lighting

with their minimal footprint, the trees allow for a steady flow of circulation while providing dappled shade

the 15ft tall centerpiece frames the Adobe campus, San Jose, and the Santa Clara Mountains

a playful addition to a surreal setting

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project info:

name: Creativity Blooms
designer: Hou de Sousa

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom