Amazon has completed construction of the first two buildings of its second headquarters, located in Arlington, Va. The all-electric structures, featuring low carbon concrete and mass timber, help further the company’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040 and 100% renewable energy consumption by 2030.
Designed by ZGF Architects, the two 22-story buildings—comprising 2.1 million sf of space and 50,000 sf of retail space—are on track to become the largest LEED v4 Platinum buildings in the U.S., according to a statement from ZGF.
By using low-carbon concrete mixes and CarbonCure technology, the project achieved a 20% reduction in the concrete structures’ carbon footprint, compared to the industry baseline. ZGF incentivized trades to experiment with mixes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The firm’s open-source LCA calculator enabled construction partners to assess proposed concrete mixes and measure their impact.
The buildings capture and reuse rainwater, shower water, and HVAC condensation—helping to achieve 50% water savings below building code and recycle 7.5 million gallons a year. And more than four-fifths of all construction waste materials—including concrete, drywall, metals, wood, cardboard, and plastic—were diverted from landfills. This prevented over 17,000 tons of material from entering landfills.
Amazon funded the renovation and expansion of the adjacent Met Park—turning an underused green area into a public park. In addition to the central green, the 2.5-acre park features a children’s playground with a jungle gym, small and large dog parks, and a community garden. Art pieces have been placed along the park’s forest walk.
The buildings feature 19 rooftop terraces, eight of which can be occupied. On a farm terrace, Amazon employees can volunteer to grow herbs and vegetables that will be donated to community organizations. The two towers also have more than 3,000 operable windows.
On the Building Team:
Owner: Amazon
Developer: JBG Smith
Design architect and architect of record: ZGF Architects
MEP engineer: GHT Limited Consulting
Structural engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
Construction: Clark Construction
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Community%20Garden.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Dining%20Terrace%20%281%29.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Dining%20Terrace%20%282%29.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Dog%20Park.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Entry%20Pavillion.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Event%20Center%20%281%29.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Event%20Center%20%282%29.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Event%20Center%20Shutters%20%281%29.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Event%20Center%20Shutters%20%282%29.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Exterior%20Dusk.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Exterior%20Night.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Facade%20Detail.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Forest%20Walk.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Garden%20Terrace.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Level%201%20Lobby%20%281%29.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Level%201%20Lobby%20%282%29.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Level%201%20Lobby%20%283%29.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Level%201%20Lobby%20Staircase.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Level%201%20Seating%20Nook.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Level%202%20Lobby%20%281%29.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Level%202%20Lobby%20%282%29.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Level%202%20Lounge%20%281%29.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Level%202%20Lounge%20%282%29.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Merlin%20and%20Jasper%20Towers.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Reception%20Chandelier.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Reception%20Desk%20and%20Chandelier.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Reception%20Desk.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Skylight%20terrace.jpg)
![Amazon headquarters, Arlington, Va. Photo: Magda Biernat Photograph](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Terracotta%20Fins.jpg)
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Aug 10, 2023
Bjarke Ingels Group and Skanska to deliver 1550 on the Green, one of the most sustainable buildings in Texas
In downtown Houston, Skanska USA’s 1550 on the Green, a 28-story, 375,000-sf office tower, aims to be one of Texas’ most sustainable buildings. The $225 million project has deployed various sustainable building materials, such as less carbon-intensive cement, to target 60% reduced embodied carbon.
Government Buildings | Aug 7, 2023
Nearly $1 billion earmarked for energy efficiency upgrades to federal buildings
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) recently announced plans to use $975 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding for energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades to federal buildings across the country. The investment will impact about 40 million sf, or about 20% of GSA’s federal buildings portfolio.
Market Data | Aug 1, 2023
Nonresidential construction spending increases slightly in June
National nonresidential construction spending increased 0.1% in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Spending is up 18% over the past 12 months. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.07 trillion in June.
Office Buildings | Aug 1, 2023
Creating a nurturing environment: The value of a mother’s room in the workplace
Since becoming an architect, Rebecca Martin of Design Collaborative has drawn a mother’s room into numerous projects. But it wasn't until she became a mom that she fully appreciated their importance in the workspace.
Adaptive Reuse | Jul 27, 2023
Number of U.S. adaptive reuse projects jumps to 122,000 from 77,000
The number of adaptive reuse projects in the pipeline grew to a record 122,000 in 2023 from 77,000 registered last year, according to RentCafe’s annual Adaptive Reuse Report. Of the 122,000 apartments currently undergoing conversion, 45,000 are the result of office repurposing, representing 37% of the total, followed by hotels (23% of future projects).
High-rise Construction | Jul 26, 2023
A 33-story Singapore tower aims to reimagine work with restorative, outdoor spaces
Architecture firm NBBJ has unveiled design details for Keppel South Central, a commercial tower in Singapore. The project, which is slated for completion in late 2024, will transform the original Keppel Towers into a 33-story, energy-efficient building that aims to reimagine work by providing restorative spaces and connections to the outdoors.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 25, 2023
San Francisco seeks proposals for adaptive reuse of underutilized downtown office buildings
The City of San Francisco released a Request For Interest to identify office building conversions that city officials could help expedite with zoning changes, regulatory measures, and financial incentives.
Market Data | Jul 24, 2023
Leading economists call for 2% increase in building construction spending in 2024
Following a 19.7% surge in spending for commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings in 2023, leading construction industry economists expect spending growth to come back to earth in 2024, according to the July 2023 AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel.
Office Buildings | Jul 24, 2023
A twist on office conversions maximizes leasable space
A recent NELSON Worldwide project is made more suitable for multiple workplace tenants.
Biophilic Design | Jul 20, 2023
Transform your work environment with biophilic design
Lauren Elliott, Director of Interior Design, Design Collaborative, shares various ways biophilic design elements can be incorporated into the office space.