Internet giant Amazon on Monday opened its plant-packed The Spheres buildings in its home city of Seattle. The Spheres are the newest addition to Amazon’s "urban campus" in Seattle, and are billed as a workplace "more like a tropical rainforest in the clouds than an office". The structures, three giant glass and steel balls, house more than 40,000 plants and include features such as tree-house meeting rooms, a river and waterfalls. "Our goal with The Spheres was to create a unique gathering place where employees could collaborate and innovate together, and where the Seattle community could gather to experience biodiversity in the centre of the city," said John Schoettler, Amazon’s vice-president of global real estate and facilities. The Spheres were designed to provide a link to nature typically lacking in urban offices, and one which studies suggest inspires creativity and might even enhance brain functioning, according to Amazon. A visitor centre called The Understory will be open...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.