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
Related Stories
| Nov 3, 2010
Public works complex gets eco-friendly addition
The renovation and expansion of the public works operations facility in Wilmette, Ill., including a 5,000-sf addition that houses administrative and engineering offices, locker rooms, and a lunch room/meeting room, is seeking LEED Gold certification.
Office Buildings | Nov 3, 2010
11 tips for office renovation success
Only after you’ve done your homework on these critical success factors can you determine if you can produce a successful office renovation project for your client.
| Nov 2, 2010
11 Tips for Breathing New Life into Old Office Spaces
A slowdown in new construction has firms focusing on office reconstruction and interior renovations. Three experts from Hixson Architecture Engineering Interiors offer 11 tips for office renovation success. Tip #1: Check the landscaping.
| Oct 13, 2010
Editorial
The AEC industry shares a widespread obsession with the new. New is fresh. New is youthful. New is cool. But “old” or “slightly used” can be financially profitable and professionally rewarding, too.
| Oct 13, 2010
Modern office design accentuates skyline views
Intercontinental|Exchange, a Chicago-based financial firm, hired design/engineering firm Epstein to create a modern, new 31st-floor headquarters.
| Oct 13, 2010
HQ renovations aim for modern look
Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel Architects’ renovations to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s New York City headquarters will feature a reworked reception lobby with back-painted glass, silk-screened logos, and a video wall.
| Oct 13, 2010
County building aims for the sun, shade
The 187,032-sf East County Hall of Justice in Dublin, Calif., will be oriented to take advantage of daylighting, with exterior sunshades preventing unwanted heat gain and glare. The building is targeting LEED Silver. Strong horizontal massing helps both buildings better match their low-rise and residential neighbors.
| Oct 12, 2010
Guardian Building, Detroit, Mich.
27th Annual Reconstruction Awards—Special Recognition. The relocation and consolidation of hundreds of employees from seven departments of Wayne County, Mich., into the historic Guardian Building in downtown Detroit is a refreshing tale of smart government planning and clever financial management that will benefit taxpayers in the economically distressed region for years to come.
| Oct 12, 2010
The Watch Factory, Waltham, Mass.
27th Annual Reconstruction Awards — Gold Award. When the Boston Watch Company opened its factory in 1854 on the banks of the Charles River in Waltham, Mass., the area was far enough away from the dust, dirt, and grime of Boston to safely assemble delicate watch parts.
| Oct 12, 2010
Building 13 Naval Station, Great Lakes, Ill.
27th Annual Reconstruction Awards—Gold Award. Designed by Chicago architect Jarvis Hunt and constructed in 1903, Building 13 is one of 39 structures within the Great Lakes Historic District at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill.
