Renderings for the second phase of Amazon's second headquarters in Northern Virginia grabbed a lot of attention today.
"Amazon unveiled plans Tuesday to build a futuristic building modeled after a double helix to serve as the centerpiece of its Arlington, Va., headquarters," reports Frederick Kunkle.
Double helix might by the descriptor of choice from Amazon's perspective, but armchair critics on social media are also deploying words like drill bit, ice cream cone, and poop emoji.
Whatever you see when you look at the rendering (click through to the source article for the rendering), it's impossible to deny that the building, designed by architectural firm NBBJ, would be a unique and striking addition to the Northern Virginia skyline.
The 350-foot-tall building is intended as an "alternative workspace," according to Kunkle, "where employees would be able to air out ideas and find downtime beyond their cubicles."
"Trees dot terraces along two walkways that spiral upward, evoking the feel of a stroll through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The streetscape below, with wood-frame retail pavilions and green space, is designed to appeal to people and keep them around when the workday ends," according to Kunkle.
The development plan also includes a community center, an amphitheater, a dog run, new bicycle lanes, and 2.5 acres of green space—the last in that list would be open to the public.
Amazon submitted plans today seeking county approval for the second phase of development. "Construction on the Helix and related office complexes is expected to begin in 2022 and wrap by 2025," according to Kunkle. The company has already begun construction on two office towers in the Metropolitan Park section of Amazon's new headquarters.
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