Ascenda Tower

Project : Ascenda Tower + Gardens

Location : West Santa Clara Street / Guadalupe River, San Jose

Program: Iconic landmark

Year : 2020 competition phase 1

Client: Urban Confluence Silicon Valley

Design Team : WEEK – Axel de Stampa / Sylvain Macaux / Paulina Bitran de las Heras

Coordination : Dan Pulcrano

Ascenda Tower rises from trees, as Silicon Valley once did. Kinetic technology lifts it above 200 feet when permissible to become downtown’s tallest structure. Top platform elevates on telescoping core. Six “flying” rings suspend from upper deck when extended. Six lower rings rise and drop in one-hour cycles. “Sleep mode” promotes healthy riverpark ecosystem. High visibility from Highway 87.

Interactive interior and exterior visuals will illuminate pixels to recognize individual and corporate donors and track planting of billions of trees to reduce greenhouse gases.  Blockchain micropayment system will fund construction, tower operations and campaign to reverse global deforestation and desertification.