nbbj adds glass biospheres to amazon headquarters proposal

nbbj adds glass biospheres to amazon headquarters proposal, seattle, washington, USA

image © nbbj / studio 216

all images courtesy of the seattle city council

international firm nbbj has just presented a revised proposal of the amazon headquarters in seattle at a public hearing this week. the mostdramatic change comes with the addition of three glass and steel spheres that would serve at the central gesture of the complex. the green heart of the campus would feature the five floors of flexible workspace in a 80-95 foot height glazed round volume. while the new ‘biospheres’ are a whimsical departure from the orthogonal development of proposals past, the work space provided would total approximately 65,000 square feet and would be able to accomodate mature trees. the spheres would purportedly feature plants from high elevations so as to ensure office-climate survival as well as provide a distinct urban experience for pedestrians. the offices are meant to mimic the comfortable, reflective space of a park and encourage the brainstorming and collaboration. the 130 foot to 80 foot diameter domes will be part of a green space dubbed ‘block 19’ that would be bolstered by a playing field, dog park and ample landscaping.

the biosphere phase of the campus is expected to be completed by 2016.