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
| Oct 27, 2014
Davis, Calif., latest city to join race to develop 'innovation hubs'
The city plans to develop two "innovation centers" with a total of seven million sf of commercial space geared for local research and technology companies.
| Oct 24, 2014
Work in the City: Urban Diversificaton
As work and the other aspects of our lives blend, lifestyle becomes the primary lens through which all facets come into focus. In this light, individuals are taking more ownership of their own life and work choices.
| Oct 24, 2014
Herzog & de Meuron reveals plans for redesign of Roche pharmaceutical campus in Germany
The project includes the addition of a 205-meter-high tower and research center, as well as the renovation of an historic office building designed by Swiss architect Otto R. Salvisber.
Sponsored | | Oct 23, 2014
From slots to public safety: Abandoned Detroit casino transformed into LEED-certified public safety headquarters
First constructed as an office for the Internal Revenue Service, the city's new public safety headquarters had more recently served as a temporary home for the MGM Casino. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Oct 23, 2014
China's 'weird' buildings: President Xi Jinping wants no more of them
During a literary symposium in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged architects, authors, actors, and other artists to produce work with "artistic and moral value."
| Oct 22, 2014
Customization is the key in tomorrow's workplace
The importance of mobility, flexibility, and sustainability in the world of corporate design are already well-established. A newer trend that’s gaining deserved attention is customizability, and how it will look in the coming years, writes GS&P's Leith Oatman.
| Oct 16, 2014
Perkins+Will white paper examines alternatives to flame retardant building materials
The white paper includes a list of 193 flame retardants, including 29 discovered in building and household products, 50 found in the indoor environment, and 33 in human blood, milk, and tissues.
| Oct 15, 2014
Harvard launches ‘design-centric’ center for green buildings and cities
The impetus behind Harvard's Center for Green Buildings and Cities is what the design school’s dean, Mohsen Mostafavi, describes as a “rapidly urbanizing global economy,” in which cities are building new structures “on a massive scale.”
| Oct 14, 2014
Proven 6-step approach to treating historic windows
This course provides step-by-step prescriptive advice to architects, engineers, and contractors on when it makes sense to repair or rehabilitate existing windows, and when they should advise their building owner clients to consider replacement.
| Oct 13, 2014
The mindful workplace: How employees can manage stress at the office
I have spent the last several months writing about healthy workplaces. My research lately has focused on stress—how we get stressed and ways to manage it through meditation and other mindful practices, writes HOK's Leigh Stringer.