The Arlington based headquarter’s designs create open and active spaces that aim to bring people closer to nature in an effort to further nurture innovation and creativity. The blending of architectural and ecological elements at PenPlace, the name of the site, will inspire those who work here and serve as an inviting place for neighbours to gather, relax, dine, and shop.
Approximately 2.8 million sq ft of new office space will be distributed across three 22 storey buildings. The workspace design for the employees will prioritise areas for collaboration, natural light, and a constant interaction with nature. The design promotes well-being and physical exercise, agency, the ability for employees to choose when, how, and where to work, and a strong connection with the local community. The campuses are intended to be neighbourhoods, bringing people together and not isolating them with employee-only spaces that ignore their surroundings.
The new buildings are designed to be LEED Platinum, the highest certification for a sustainable development issued by the US Green Building Council. The project also includes an all-electric central heating and cooling system that will run on 100% renewable energy from a solar farm located in Pittsylvania County in southern Virginia, procured in collaboration with Arlington County. This will align with Amazon’s Climate Pledge to be net-zero carbon by 2040 and advance Arlington and Amazon’s shared commitment to be leaders in the fight against climate change.
Similar with Amazon’s Seattle headquarters which features The Spheres, here they have duplicated as a special place where employees can work or unwind while immersed in nature. The Spheres were inspired by a concept called biophilia, the innate human desire to connect with nature, and a similarly engaging and rejuvenating concept is the basis for the Arlington headquarters, a double helix.
The natural beauty of a double helix can be seen throughout the world, from the geometry of Human DNA to the elemental form of galaxies, weather patterns, pinecones, and seashells. The Helix at the Arlington headquarters will offer a variety of alternative work environments for employees amidst gardens and flourishing trees native to the region.
A true double helix in shape and structure, this unique building will feature two walkable paths of landscaped terrain that will spiral up the outside of the building, featuring plantings one may find on a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia; and because innovative technology often derives from the intersection of art and science, an artist-in-residence programme to be hosted within The Helix has been planned. Local artists, in collaboration with the employees, will be inspired by the nature within the building as they create their pieces.
A variety of inviting open spaces totaling more than 2.5 acres will be accessible for public use. An amphitheatre facing a spacious central green will be able to accommodate outdoor concerts, farmers’ markets, and movies in the park. A forest grove will offer more shaded areas for relaxation on a hot day, a quiet place to talk with a friend, or to simply enjoy the natural setting.
Retail pavilions and restaurants will be conveniently located throughout the site. Plans also include room for a childcare centre, a dog run, and a food truck area with plentiful outdoor seating. A dedicated 20,000 sq ft community space will be created that can support educational initiatives and be flexible enough to accommodate everything from large community meetings to small classes and individual use.
This project complements other ways in promoting a sense of community at the nearby site of the first phase of the Arlington headquarters, Metropolitan Park, with a planned 2.8 acre park that includes abundant tree canopy coverings, neighbourhood gathering areas, and places for dogs.
The publicly accessible spaces throughout the site will prioritise walkways, landscaping, and retail over motor vehicles. Plans are to make a significant investment to move all vehicle access underground to foster a safe and welcoming pedestrian environment for everyone. Visitors and neighbours won’t see service vehicles crossing the new site as all deliveries and docking activity will happen underground, freeing up even more space for the community. Additionally, there will be protected bike lanes in the streets and each office building will have dedicated street-level bike entrances and facilities to encourage safe and convenient bicycle commuting to the Arlington headquarters.