The Helix
The American giant has unveiled the architecture of its next headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, not far from Washington. The project, designed to create 25,000 jobs, is scheduled for 2025. After its Seattle site with its giant greenhouses, this is a new feat for the leader in online commerce, which is banking on an architectural project of the highest "design", giving pride of place to vegetation. This new "neighborhood", in the suburbs of the federal capital near the Potomac River, will be made up of large green spaces articulated around a 22-story spiral building.
It will be called "The Helix" and will be 100 meters high and made up of a magnificent vegetal spiral that climbs to the top. According to the architects of the NBBJ firm that designed the project, its double-helix design recalls the DNA structure of human cells, thus highlighting "humanity's intimate connection with nature".
This glass tower will offer open and collaborative spaces with direct access to green spaces and natural light. More than 10,000 square meters will remain open to the public for events such as concerts and markets.
The entire site will be powered by renewable energy and the entire electrical system will be powered by solar energy through connection to a solar power plant in southern Virginia - Amazon's ultimate goal is to become carbon neutral by 2040. The entire study was therefore designed to maximize the entry of natural light and thus minimize artificial lighting.
If all the elements are validated by the local authorities, work on this ambitious project should begin by 2022. Three years later, in 2025, the future head office will begin to accommodate the Group's employees.
A reminder that, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Group wishes to enable its employees to work in the community, in offices designed s accordingly.