The spiral-shaped glass tower designed by architecture studio NBBJ for Amazon’s second headquarters has been given permission to be built in Arlington, Virginia, USA. Called The Helix, the striking tower will be one of three office buildings in Arlington County that will make up Amazon’s second headquarters, Amazon HQ2.
Construction on Amazon HQ2 is currently underway, with Phase 1 expected to be completed in 2023
On November 13, 2018, Amazon announced that it had selected Arlington as the location for its new second headquarters (HQ2). The news followed a year-long process in which Amazon considered 238 proposals from communities across North America. As one of the most significant economic development projects in recent history, Amazon’s decision to select Northern Virginia validated the region as a world-class hub for the tech industry.
Designed by NBBJ as “an environment that proposes healthy work”, The Helix will include tree-covered walking trails that spiral around its outside for employees to walk on. Amazon HQ2’s buildings are slated to become some of the tallest in Arlington County and will stand out against the nearby skyline of the District of Columbia, where skyscrapers are banned.
Amazon commits to powering 100% of HQ2’s operations with renewable energy through a combination of off-site and on-site solar projects
Amazon explains ”When we announced the development of HQ2, we challenged ourselves to think big and design Amazon’s buildings in a way that helps lead the industry toward net-zero carbon. In pursuit of this goal, we have electrified the operations of HQ2, eliminating the use of fossil fuels for buildings systems and our food service. We’ve committed to powering 100% of HQ2’s operations with renewable energy through a combination of off-site and on-site solar projects, aligning with The Climate Pledge, Amazon’s commitment to be net-zero carbon across its operations by 2040.”
Visualization by Amazon
