By Deborah Thoben
On January 29, 2018, Amazon opened its dramatic, park-like Spheres building. The striking complex made up of three glass domes provides a warm (72), enclosed, organic environment for up to 800 employees to interact with each other – and 40,000 plants – right in the middle of downtown Seattle.1
According to Dale Alberda of the architectural firm NBBJ, Amazon first came to them with the idea of creating a conservatory-type building. NBBJ presented a couple of traditional designs in response to their request as well as the Spheres concept. While the glass domes were initially a surprise to the review board, they kept gravitating back to the novelty of the design. The striking facility encloses a habitat of plants, waterfalls, bridges, and a river, as well as a wide variety of informal meeting spaces throughout. The largest dome of the three is 90 feet high and 130 feet in diameter and offers limited dining and retail facilities where employees can eat, meet and mingle.2
According to John Schoettler, Amazon’s real-estate director, “It’s all about our pioneering spirit, our being inventors.” But he also said that it wasn’t just about creating a terrific space for Amazon employees but “for the city as a whole.” The Spheres project is the crowning jewel on Amazon’s $4 billion urban campus that occupies about 20% of downtown Seattle.2
Visiting Seattle soon? The Spheres building isn’t open to the public but it does offer a couple of free, appointment-only tour options to choose from at the Spheres website. Take a look!