The Helix – Amazon’s 2nd HQ in Virginia

Within the first quarter of 2020, Amazon announced the PenPlace project, the second HQ of Amazon to be built in Arlington, Virginia. Amazon wanted the building to foster a sustainable and healthy environment for its employees. The design-led by NBBJ is inspired by nature’s double-helix geometric form. The HQ will be composed of three office buildings –with The Helix at the center,  intertwined with gardens and green spaces.

PenPlace will be having an open public space, a forest grove, an amphitheater as well as space for retail stores and restaurants. It will also have a space dedicated to food trucks as well as daycare facilities and dog parks.

Despite the facilities and design, what’s striking is that the whole building will be run on renewable energy. They will harness energy from a solar farm in southern Virginia. Moreover, Amazon plans on getting a LEED Platinum certification.

This expansion will raise job opportunities in the area. Once completed by 2025, Amazon plans on creating 25,000 jobs. They also plan on investing $2.5 billion in the city over the next decade.