I'm really excited to hear about a grassroots campaign to give Silicon Valley a new landmark. It's called
The Silicon Valley Sign Project, and is being championed by Hafid Alfonso who helped build a walking tour company based in San Jose.
Here is the premise:
What if Silicon Valley had a distinguished landmark? What if we placed it somewhere everyone could see it and be reminded of the wonderful valley we live in? What if Silicon Valley thought even bigger? How would someone start such a project?
The draft proposal--which you can find
here (PDF)--envisions a sign that is 200 feet wide with each letter standing 45 feet tall. LED bulbs would be use to illuminate the sign at night, potentially in a variety of colors as you can see in some of the renderings below. The sign would be visible throughout most of Silicon Valley, and help provide a sense of place for residents and visitors alike. So what do you guys think about this concept?
For all of the details and to show your support, please head over to
The Silicon Valley Sign Project webpage.
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| Draft Rendering |
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| Aerial View |
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Rendering view from Milpitas on Highway 880
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| Rendering view from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara |
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| Sign lit up at night in San Jose Sharks Teal |
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| Sign lit up at night in San Jose Earthquakes Blue |
Better than nothing, but I'd prefer something new instead of a fancy Hollywood sign. We're supposed to be innovators.
ReplyDeleteThis is a terrible idea. Focus on preserving a real landmark with actual history attached to it, like the Almaden radar tower.
ReplyDeleteMost vulgar, crass, ugly and pointless idea ever. Just let nature be, we've destroyed the Valley enough as is. And we are not Disney Land/Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteAnd, pray, how are we destroying the Valley?
DeleteWell..."Pray"...before all the interlopers and carpetbaggers moved in, Santa Clara Valley was also referred to as "The Valley of Heart's Delight".
DeleteIt was beautiful here, with all the orchards and nice people.
Now, its all concrete and narcissism.
There's your sign.
Ever heard of light pollution?
DeleteThis sign and idea are garbage. Focus on preserving green space.
ReplyDeleteTempted to think it should say "silly con valley" or maybe "SHARKS RULE!"
ReplyDeleteAgree that this is an unfortunately derivative idea. I'd much rather see the electric tower reborn somewhere / somehow... while it would clearly be a replica, at least it would be rooted in local history...
ReplyDeleteI agree about the electric tower! Bring it back!
DeleteSigns are old school. We need a coordinated light show and holograms like Hong Kong. That's more innovative and more fitting for an area focused on technology. Doesn't harm the environment, set it up in existing areas. No where in the US do we have something like what HK does. We don't have tall buildings like HK but I'm sure the smart ppl in the area can think of something else that's unique and different that could span across the Valley. If we want to compete on the global stage we need to think Big, meaning not even what the US does but what is Asia doing.
ReplyDeleteI like your thinking here =)
DeleteSooo, we do not want any of the millions of travelers who land into SFO and OAK that may only know silicon valley is in California, to continue to be deceived by San Francisco, as "silicon valley" we deserve better. This IDEA is a start, and in both senses, is good.
ReplyDeletePlease don't ruin the mountains.
ReplyDeleteHow about an *original* idea for a landmark?
ReplyDeleteInstead of a new landmark, let's preserve the endangered historic landmark we already have on our skyline! www.umunhumconservancy.org
ReplyDeleteCrappy idea in my view. Yes, a copy off of Hollywood and rather ugly and gaudy.
ReplyDeleteA vulgar, tacky way to ruin a beautiful natural view. I have no alternate suggestion. I don't think one is needed.
ReplyDeleteI'd prefer an equivalent amount of asphalt, to help with some of these roads. :-|
ReplyDeleteOr maybe paint thinner for all the graffiti...err no...that wouldn't be enough.
Those things will come in due time brandon. The things you speak of will costs billions to solve. It's OK to not always have to focus on roads and graffitis...there are other nice things out there we could definitely look at putting in.
DeleteGreat idea! But, 2 comments:
ReplyDeleteAs it stands, it looks too plain to represent us!, Maybe start an open campaign to request input from artists and innovators?
and how about adding more on all corners of sv?
Thanks for coming up with such a good idea!
So boring... thumbs down
ReplyDeleteFirst, it's an ugly design. But my other issue is that I never self-identify as being from "Silicon Valley." It's either San Jose or the South Bay. "Silicon Valley" is what others who have no idea about our region call it.
ReplyDeleteI think that would be one of the main points of the sign. It would clearly say THIS is Silicon Valley.
DeleteTwo points:
Delete1. As a resident of Mountain View who works in SJ (and can see that mountainside out of my office window) ... Mount Allison is not Silicon Valley.
2. South San Francisco has a sign like that in the Bay Area. We need something more distinctive and environmentally conscious (like we are) and less borrowed from other towns and the last century. We need something that is original that does not stink of second-class knock-off.
I guess my point is, as a resident of San Jose, born in Mountain View, who grew up in Cupertino, I don't identify with the nickname "Silicon Valley" at all, and am especially not a fan of it replacing "San Jose." Silicon Valley's Airport? No it's San Jose's Airport. Cinequest, annual event in Silicon Valley? No, it's in San Jose. It's the inferiority complex of San Jose exposed: "They won't know where San Jose is but they've heard of Silicon Valley." This sign will perpetuate it.
DeleteIn case it hasn't been noticed, San Francisco is trying to "claim" Silicon Valley and every day that San Jose stays predictable, SF gets closer to claiming what rightfully belongs to the 408. We need more - less is not more, more is more.
ReplyDeleteA cool way this sign can be high tech and have an interaction with the area is make it a solar panel made material.
ReplyDeleteEiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge, Gateway Arch. Those are landmarks. This is another desperate move for SJ area to be taken seriously as a major city. I don’t think people are going to want to come from all over the world or take a picture of the “Silicon Valley Sign”. “Oh wow look at me.” I agree with most comments. We have to do better than that as a symbol of the South Bay.
ReplyDeleteTo add, Chicago's Cloud Gate (The Bean), the Bay Lights, and Levitated Mass ($23M, $8M, $10M, respectively) are all examples of effective, attractive landmarks that aren't as ambitious as the ones you mention.
DeleteAnd it doesn't have to be such a literal interpretation of tech for it to represent the area. Enough with the circuit board motifs.
Instead, how about the sign says :
ReplyDelete"We found an area of the valley that was pristine, and we couldn't stand it, so we decided to put up a gaudy sign".
Rings true at least :-/
All those Techies recently arrived from other states and other countries, will embrace the idea! They have no love for, or memories of, this once beautiful Santa Clara Valley. To them, the name Silicon Valley means nothing but greed and money! Those of us who are natives or long time Valley residents will fight the idea of an ugly, smug, pretentious, tacky, sign!
ReplyDeleteIf we don't give up and leave first. It saddens me to no end. They have no respect for what this valley once was.
Deleteno one wants this sign
ReplyDeletePlease, bring back the light tower downtown!
ReplyDeleteOr help make SJ earn it's "Capital of Silicon Valley" moniker.