Friday, October 25, 2013

Amazon's Biodome Greenhouses


NBBJ and Amazon have been hard at work for over a year on a compelling, sustainable and publicly accessible design for the internet giant’s new headquarters in downtown Seattle. The Design Review Board has turned down proposals numerous times, citing issues with public connectivity, overall concept and landscaping. This time around, NBBJ appeased the board and was rewarded with unanimous approval for the biodome office space at the center of the 3-block campus. Changes to the design include making the three domes “visually lighter, and geometrically organic and sculptural,” according to the new design proposal. The new plan calls for improved public access to the domes and a total of 18,000 square feet of retail space. They also added a 5-foot-wide cycle track on Blanchard Street that connects to the planned track for Seventh Avenue.


According to the Seattle Times, work has already begun on the eco campus, which takes over 3 blocks downtown in the Denny Triangle area. Amazon’s campus will consist of three 38-story high-rise office towers, two mid-rise office buildings, a multi-purpose meeting center, a public park and the biodome flex work office and retail space at the center. The public has expressed approval in letters to the Design Review Board about the proposed project calling it “refreshing,” “organic,” and “very human-scaled.” With the Design Review Board’s approval, the biodome portion of the campus will move on to the city’s planning and development department for a formal approval of Amazon’s application, which typically takes four to six weeks. From there a building permit can be issued and excavation of the site can begin. There’s no word yet on when construction is expected to be completed.


Read more:
http://inhabitat.com/amazons-biodome-greenhouse-hq-receives-green-light-from-seattles-design-review-board/

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