Workplace, History, Culture, and Whimsy: Amazon’s Arlington Headquarters
Arlington, meet Amazon. Acting as the cornerstone of Amazon’s east coast operations, these buildings serve as home base for over 5,000 employees. Located on the first four levels of each tower, the Centers of Energy (COEs) anchor the arrival experience with an amenity-rich hub full of hospitality features, dining options, and alternative work environments. Inspired by the historic conservatories and gardens of Virginia and the deep roots of history found in our nation’s capitol, the EGD joins Amazonian culture with local references to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
The Challenge
Amidst new ways of working, how can the next-generation office draw employees together? With decades of history and connection to the city of Seattle grounding Amazon’s first headquarters, it was crucial that MetPark at Amazon’s Arlington Headquarters drive engagement while reflecting the character and history of the Washington, D.C. region.
Project Vision
The design draws inspiration from the Summerhouse, a neoclassical structure on the U.S. Capitol grounds, and the botanical aesthetics of Virginia conservatories and gardens. Throughout the building, design elements rooted in these themes, as well as inspiration from the rich history of the Capitol area, are complemented by unique and endearing references to Amazon office culture. These buildings are designed and built with hospitality features that rival the comforts of working from home.
Sean Airhart
Sean Airhart
Design + Execution
The vibe of the Washington, D.C. region, with its referential Presidential monuments, engraved marble, and brass historic plaques is a primary concept design driver for the environmental graphic design elements. While the spirit of the region is represented in elements like commemorative plaques and damask wallpaper, Amazonian culture is infused within these elements as well. An example of this can be found in small, discoverable elements within the damask wallpaper print—it is made up of a dozen tiny references to Rufus, Amazon’s first “dog employee.” In the Marketplace, employees will find a classical inscribed quote from Ronald Regan, commenting on how a fellow’s character can be determined by how they eat jelly beans.
Amazon culture and levity continues in installations that relate to the broader Virginian ecosystem as well. In honor of the state insect, the Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly, we created our own lepidopteran guide to working at Amazon. Images relating to specific roles are mirrored onto sets of dimensional wings, paired with genus and species names that are inspired by actual Amazon job titles. Across the lounge from these butterflies is an illustrated garden, drawn on a backdrop of pages from a Virginian botanical textbook.
Two gallery walls feature a more personal connection, using the commonality of family pets. First, a gathering of professional pooch portraits were taken to commemorate HQ2’s new canine coworkers; the other features a collection of Presidential pets living their best lives in the White House.
Overall, the project creates a comfortable working environment, paying homage to the past, making personal connections to the present, and envisioning a positive outlook toward the future of Amazon in the D.C. region.
Sean Airhart
Sean Airhart
Sean Airhart
Sean Airhart
Sean Airhart
Project Details
Design Team
Eric LeVine (principal in charge)
Betsy Schiel (lead designer)
Mara Stokke (lead designer)
Olin Nespor (designer)
Mandy Seever (designer)
Yusuke Ito (designer)
Cari Scotkin (project manager)
NBBJ (architecture)
Collaborators
Jones Sign (physical fabrication)
Clark Construction (physical fabrication)
Photo Credits
Sean Airhart
Open Date
May 2023