INSO / Infinity + Enso
Program_Monument | Location_San Jose, California USA | Competition_2020.6 | Collaboration_Kakizoe Architects | Structural Design_Enshu Structural Consultants | Lighting Design_Sugio Lighting Office | Text_BAM! | Design Team_Ayaka Fujii, Kento Watanabe
Without beginning. Without end.
Accessible from all directions with no discernible facade, the INSO celebrates the union of cultures and ideas in a simple, abstract structure. From above, a perfect circle frames two converging rivers, reflecting the spirit of customs and institutions united for a common goal.
In Japan, the circle (enso) symbolizes eternity, strength, sophistication, and emptiness. From the ground, the INSO takes new shape from every perspective, including a view of the lemniscate, the mathematical symbol for infinity.
The INSO offers a continuous and flowing design without front or back and is accessible from all directions. It represents the heart of the city and will frame the junction of the park rivers, simply and elegantly, while protecting the landscape. The INSO will also provide a strong visual presence and maximize the site’s potential by stretching from bank to bank. On one side, the structure rises to maximum buildable height, allowing
visitors to view the city from different perspectives, vertically and horizontally. The lower half also allows visitors to cross the river, and it counterbalances the structure. The INSO takes different shapes depending on the viewers location.
From above, it’s a perfect circle—or an enso in Japanese, representing eternity, strength, sophistication, and the void. From the side, one sees the lemniscate, signifying infinity in mathematics. The two words unite into INSO. The concept conveys cultural diversity and the infinite possibilities of innovation born from the city of San Jose. Cultures and time, past, present, and future come together in one place.
INSO / Infinity + Enso
| Program | Monument |
| Location | San Jose, California |
| Competition | 2020.6 |
| Collaboration | Kakizoe Architects |
| Structural Design | Enshu Structural Consultants |
| Lighting Design | Sugio Lighting Office |
| Text | BAM! |
| Design Team | Ayaka Fujii Kento Watanabe |
Without beginning. Without end.
Accessible from all directions with no discernible facade, the INSO celebrates the union of cultures and ideas in a simple, abstract structure. From above, a perfect circle frames two converging rivers, reflecting the spirit of customs and institutions united for a common goal.
In Japan, the circle (enso) symbolizes eternity, strength, sophistication, and emptiness. From the ground, the INSO takes new shape from every perspective, including a view of the lemniscate, the mathematical symbol for infinity.
The INSO offers a continuous and flowing design without front or back and is accessible from all directions. It represents the heart of the city and will frame the junction of the park rivers, simply and elegantly, while protecting the landscape. The INSO will also provide a strong visual presence and maximize the site’s potential by stretching from bank to bank. On one side, the structure rises to maximum buildable height, allowing
visitors to view the city from different perspectives, vertically and horizontally. The lower half also allows visitors to cross the river, and it counterbalances the structure. The INSO takes different shapes depending on the viewers location.
From above, it’s a perfect circle—or an enso in Japanese, representing eternity, strength, sophistication, and the void. From the side, one sees the lemniscate, signifying infinity in mathematics. The two words unite into INSO. The concept conveys cultural diversity and the infinite possibilities of innovation born from the city of San Jose. Cultures and time, past, present, and future come together in one place.
