Amazon opens new rainforest office complex in Seattle

A glasshouse-like structure will house more than 40,000 plants to 'inspire' Amazon staff

Can Amazon's new building breathe life into its workers? (REUTERS)

Amazon opened a new office on Monday shaped as a series of glass spheres containing an indoor rainforest.

The tech giant’s new building, called the Sphere, in its hometown of Seattle houses more than 40,000 plants made up of more than 400 different species.

The building, designed by architect NBBJ, has three glass domes containing over 2,000 glass panels, designed to stop the production of excess heat.

Many of the plants in Amazon’s botanical-garden office complex are found in mountainous regions of tropical countries where temperatures are cooler than ground level.

Amazon says the sound of water running through the building and the smell of blossoming flowers will inspire “creativity” and perhaps even improve brain function citing studies linking increased productivity to more natural environments.

(REUTERS (REUTERS)

The building also has more typical office features such as closed conference rooms and meeting spaces.

Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos officially opened the building at a ceremony on Monday using Alexa, the company’s voice-command software.

“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 vice president of global real estate and facilities.

Amazon is also looking for a second HQ outside Seattle and has so far whittled down the number of potential locations to 20 cities. It plans to announce the winner later this year.

(REUTERS (REUTERS)

The e-retailer opened its first supermarket with no checkout or self-service machines earlier this month.

Shoppers at the Amazon Go supermarket are able choose products off the shelf and place them in their basket while monitored by cameras that calculate the customer’s bill in real time.

It covers an approximately 1,800sq ft space in the centre of Seattle.