A new St. James Park and Levitt Pavilion together form a vital community space.
The architectural approach finds inspiration in many sources: the collection of handsome heritage buildings surrounding St. James Park and the nearby Downtown Historic District; San Jose and Silicon Valley’s culture of technological innovation; and the extraordinary legacy and mission of the Levitt Foundation, anchored in the sensory experience of an immigrant child’s magical first glimpse of outdoor performance.
Translating the pavilion’s macro use to a micro scale, the landscape merges with the building’s exterior to the north, creating an intimate stepped amphitheater where readings, outdoor classes, acoustic performance, or recreational activities like capoeira could all take place. At the southern end of the park, a new café mirrors the sculpted curvature of the pavilion, opening to a new street plaza as well as to the park, while providing public shelter from the sun or the elements.
YEAR
2016
STATUS
Competition
SCALE
Pabellón 698 m2 /
7,520 ft2
LOCATION
St. James Park, San Jose, California US
CLIENT
San Jose City
PROJECT CREDITS
!melk
Arup
Topa
Gallery
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Forbes, March 2020