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
Codes and Standards | Aug 3, 2017
ASID headquarters is first space in the world to earn both LEED and WELL Platinum Certification
Washington, D.C. office is showcase for top levels of the two standards.
Mixed-Use | Aug 3, 2017
A sustainable mixed-use development springs from a Dutch city center like a green-fringed crystal formation
MVRDV and SDK Vastgoed won a competition to redevelop the inner city area around Deken van Someren Street in Eindhoven.
Sustainability | Jul 31, 2017
Passive House practitioners aim to spread standard beyond single-family homes
Growth has been slow, but enticing larger firms and getting help from local governments could provide a boost.
Office Buildings | Jul 19, 2017
James Corner Field Operations, designers of the High Line, creates rooftop amenity spaces for three Dumbo office buildings
The new spaces range from about 8,500 to 11,000 sf and were added to Two Trees Management’s anchor office buildings.
Green | Jul 18, 2017
Garden of the Four Seasons lets you experience all four seasons at once
Carlo Ratti Associati designed the garden with an innovative net-zero energy climate control system.
Sponsored | Coatings | Jul 17, 2017
Innovation with a green focus
As building codes become more stringent and green rating systems grow in popularity, Valspar has developed products that meet ENERGY STAR and LEED rating system criteria.
Sustainability | Jul 10, 2017
British Columbia receives its first WELL certified workplace courtesy of Perkins + Will
Over 100 wellness features are incorporated into CBRE’s Vancouver office.
Sustainability | Jun 29, 2017
The Dutch ‘Windwheel’ wants to create a new sustainable landmark for Rotterdam
The sustainable structure will be a mixed-use development with a hotel, apartments, and office space.
Hotel Facilities | Jun 29, 2017
Luxury, plant-covered hotel unveiled for site near the River Seine
Kengo Kuma is designing the hotel, which will feature a large garden and a plant-covered façade.
Sustainability | Jun 28, 2017
Mohawk College will have one of the region’s first net-zero energy institutional buildings
The project’s net-zero goals led to the development of a new curtain wall system.