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
Contractors | Feb 6, 2015
Census Bureau: Capital spending by U.S. businesses increased 4.5%
Of the 19 industry sectors covered in the report, only one had a statistically significant year-to-year decrease in capital spending: the utilities sector.
Office Buildings | Feb 3, 2015
5 trends transforming workplace design
RTKL's workplace design expert Jodi Williams foresees healthier and more technologically enabled offices that allow productive worker interaction, wherever they happen to be.
Office Buildings | Feb 3, 2015
Bjarke Ingels' BIG proposes canopied, vertical village for Middle East media company
The tensile canopy shades a relaxation plaza from the desert sun.
Office Buildings | Feb 2, 2015
Study shows modern workers struggle to leave work at the office
Study findings indicate that more than half the respondents holds tight to their smartphones, checking and responding to email and taking phone calls, all or most of the time.
Office Buildings | Jan 28, 2015
Sustainability’s missed opportunity: small commercial buildings
The real opportunity for shrinking the nation’s energy footprint lies in the mundane world of small commercial buildings, writes BD+C's David Barista.
Office Buildings | Jan 27, 2015
London plans to build Foggo Associates' 'can of ham' building
The much delayed high-rise development at London’s 60-70 St. Mary Axe resembles a can of ham, and the project's architects are embracing the playful sobriquet.
Office Buildings | Jan 26, 2015
Seattle gets a peek at Amazon’s latest plans for its downtown complex
The online retailer is seeking permits to build on a fourth city block that would include 835,200 sf of office space.
| Jan 14, 2015
10 change management practices that can ease workplace moves
No matter the level of complexity, workplace change can be a challenge for your client's employees. VOA's Angie Lee breaks down the process of moving offices as efficiently as possible, from creating a "change team" to hosting hard-hat tours.
| Jan 13, 2015
SOM-designed Broadgate Exchange House wins Twenty-five Year Award
Exchange House, an elegant 10-story office building that spans over the merging tracks of London’s Liverpool Street Station, is located in London’s Broadgate Development.
| Jan 9, 2015
10 surprising lessons Perkins+Will has learned about workplace projects
P+W's Janice Barnes shares some of most unexpected lessons from her firm's work on office design projects, including the importance of post-occupancy evaluations and having a cohesive transition strategy for workers.
