Blooms

Adobe selected Hou de Sousa to build a collection of sculptures that stretch across their newly expanded campus in San Jose. A grove was “planted” along a large pedestrian bridge, with each tree occupying a minimal footprint and featuring a unique canopy and color palette, the design allows for a free flow of pedestrian circulation while also creating shaded space and celebrating the full spectrum of creative freedom possible with Adobe’s tools.  

As folks journey across the bridge, they become immersed in a surreal experience of color and geometry that continuously re-frames the surrounding context and invites exploration and discovery. The project evokes the agricultural past of San Jose, which was well known for its vast fruit orchards prior to the moniker of “Silicon Valley” taking hold.

Although quite large in scale, each tree is composed of a structural lattice of aluminum plate that weighs in at only 500 lbs (the maximum permitted on the bridge). Structural connections were carefully coordinated with the bridge engineers and contractors to achieve a seamless transition between the tree trunks and bridge pavers. Too large to transport whole, the trees were designed in (6) parts and assembled on site.  

The lighting was also carefully integrated into the design of the trees, helping blur the lines between materiality, light and sculptural form. At night, the bridge lights up 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.

Blooms was completed in 2024 with the support of Adobe and is located at 333 West San Fernando Street in San Jose, California.