Amazons new workplace boasts of Spheres; a trio of glass and steel superstructures filled with 400 species of flora native to different parts of the world. Swanky, hi-tech, environment-friendly are just but a few terms that can be used to describe the modern workplace environment.

 

The Spheres are the centre of attraction on Amazon’s urban campus reported to cost $4 billion. Design and construction of the Spheres has taken five years.

The spheres consist of approximately 2,600 angular glass panels that are coated to let in light while at the same time reflecting excess heat back into the atmosphere.

Seattle dark days will not pose a problem for the plants since the Spheres have artificial lights with sensors to adjust intensity to mimic that of the sun.

Inside the Amazon Spheres

Heat generated from an Amazon data centre is used to maintain optimal temperature for the plant life in the spheres.

Other than the plants, including a living wall of carnivorous Asian pitcher plants and Philippine rhododendrons, there are walkways, secluded spots with tables, lounge chairs and benches, a cafeteria and meeting spots.

A different part of the Spheres has a tank filled with aquatic flora and fauna, native to the Amazon.

It is the sort of environment that can easily make one forget that it is a workplace and not some kind of leisure park.

Amazon will hold an opening ceremony for the Spheres this Monday. However, access for the general public is limited to an exhibit area of the Spheres.

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Amazon will soon offer guided tours to the Spheres twice every week.

The facility is set to rival Apple’s Spaceship-like campus, Google’s Googleplex and facebook’s Frank Gehry office.