Everyone has heard of a snow globe, but what about a jungle sphere? Designed by NBBJ, the Spheres are a new plant-stuffed workplace at the center of Amazon’s Seattle headquarters. Exposure to nature has been proven to help relax people and increase their creativity, and the Spheres and their tens of thousands of plants are meant to do just that for Amazon’s employees.
Along with the approximately 40,000 plants and trees inside the Spheres are seating areas, including the wooden “bird’s nest” seating area; suspended walkways that wind through the plants; waterfalls; and a four-story living wall that occupies 4,000 sf. The temperature inside the Spheres will kept at an average of 72 degrees with 60% humidity during the day, a climate meant to mimic Costa Rica’s Central Valley, The Seattle Times reports There will also be micro-climates within the space so employees can find a spot with the perfect temperature.
The new building can accommodate 800 people and offers WiFi throughout. Amazon badges will be used to monitor how much time an employee spends inside for safety and capacity reasons.
The three connected Spheres occupy 70,000 sf and will be open to the public via guided tours and ground floor retail space.
Related Stories
| Mar 2, 2012
By the Numbers
66 skyscrapers to built in China over six years; 1,000 questions in the Modern Architecture game; 21,000 new jobs.
| Mar 1, 2012
AIA: A clear difference, new developments in load-bearing glass
Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.
| Mar 1, 2012
Bomel completes design-build parking complex at U.C. San Diego
The $24-million facility, which fits into a canyon setting on the university’s East Campus, includes 1,200 stalls in two adjoining garages and a soccer field on a top level.
| Mar 1, 2012
Reconstruction of L.A.’s Dunbar Hotel underway
Withee Malcolm Architects’ designs for the project include the complete renovation of the Dunbar Hotel and the Somerville Apartments I and II.
| Feb 28, 2012
Roofing contractors recognized for workmanship
Sika Sarnafil announces Project of the Year winners; competition highlights visually stunning, energy efficient, and sustainable roofs.
| Feb 26, 2012
Milwaukee U-Haul facility receives LEED-CI Silver
The new elements of the facility now include: efficient lighting with day-lighting controls and occupancy sensors, a high-efficiency HVAC system used in conjunction with a newly constructed thermal envelope to help reduce energy consumption, and the installation of low-flow fixtures to reduce water consumption.
| Feb 22, 2012
Siemens earns LEED certification for Maryland office
The Beltsville facility, which also earned the ENERGY STAR Label for energy performance, implemented a range of energy efficiency, water conservation and sustainable operations measures as part of the certification process.
| Feb 22, 2012
Suffolk awarded Boston post office renovation project
Renovation of art deco landmark will add 21,000 square feet of retail and 110 new parking spaces.
| Feb 20, 2012
Comment period for update to USGBC's LEED Green Building Program now open
This third draft of LEED has been refined to address technical stringency and rigor, measurement and performance tools, and an enhanced user experience.
| Feb 17, 2012
Tremco Inc. headquarters achieves LEED Gold certification
Changes were so extensive that the certification is for new construction and not for renovation; officially, the building is LEED-NC.
