The Spheres, Seattle: an office full of plants
The Spheres are three linked glass domes at Amazon's headquarters in downtown Seattle. Inside is a planted workspace where staff can meet and work among about 40,000 plants. They opened in January 2018.
Key facts
| Address | 2111 7th Avenue, Seattle, Washington, US |
|---|---|
| Architect | NBBJ; landscape by Site Workshop; structural engineer Magnusson Klemencic Associates |
| Opened | Dedicated 29 January 2018; opened to staff the next day |
| Size | Three domes, each 80 to 95 ft (24 to 29 m) tall |
| Structure | More than 2,600 panes of glass and about 620 short tons of steel |
| Plants | About 40,000 plants from around 50 countries, plus a four-storey living wall |
| Climate inside | About 72 °F (22 °C) and 60% humidity in the daytime |
| Seats | Meeting spaces, tables and benches for about 800 people |
Figures as reported in the Wikipedia article on the Amazon Spheres.
How the design works
- A different kind of room. The Spheres are not rows of desks. They are a place to meet, think and take a break, next to normal office towers.
- Plants as the main material. Trees, ferns and a living wall fill the space, an approach often called biophilic design.
- Daylight from all sides. The glass shell lets light in from above and around.
What a smaller office can borrow
- Add one "different" room. A quiet corner with plants, soft seats and no desks gives people somewhere to think or take a call.
- Use plants in groups. A few large planters or a green wall have more effect than many small pots.
- Choose plants for your light. Low-light plants suit rooms without windows; see our small office ideas.
Visiting
The Spheres are mainly for Amazon staff. The public can see the ground-floor exhibit, called the Understory, and visit on set days through reservation schemes and headquarters tours. Check Amazon's current visitor information before you go.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Amazon Spheres used for?
Mainly as a workspace and meeting area for Amazon staff, with an exhibit on the ground floor open to the public.
How many plants are in the Amazon Spheres?
About 40,000 plants from around 50 countries, according to public reports.
Who designed the Spheres?
The architecture firm NBBJ, with landscape design by Site Workshop.
When did the Spheres open?
They were dedicated on 29 January 2018.
