A botanical terrarium inflated to urban scale—three glass ‘ecosystems’ that make downtown Seattle feel briefly un-corporate.
Amazon employee lounge and workspace in Seattle.
Visitor Guide
You need a reservation for public entry—don’t show up hoping to wing it; spend your wait time outside studying the node geometry and glazing seams.
From the public realm on 7th Ave & Lenora St area for a full read of the intersecting domes; shoot near sunset for reflections + interior glow. Entry hours for public visits: first and third Saturday, 10am–6pm with reservation. Source: https://www.seattlespheres.com/the-spheres-weekend-public-visits
Public visits are limited to the first and third Saturday of each month (10am–6pm) and require advance reservation; otherwise it’s primarily for Amazon employees weekdays. Source: https://www.seattlespheres.com/the-spheres-weekend-public-visits
The ‘plant house’ story is real, but the nerd candy is the steel node logic—how a complex geometry becomes a repeatable kit of parts.
60–90 minutes
Design & Structure
Digitally coordinated freeform envelope: parametric geometry to rationalize a complex lattice, node families, glazing panelization, and tight BIM-driven clash control for structure/MEP/landscape integration.
High-performance curved/planar glazing + steel space-frame—materials chosen to balance transparency, condensation control, and structural efficiency.
The structure is the architecture: a space-frame shell carrying loads while enabling large openings and a humid, plant-heavy interior environment.
Nearby in Seattle
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Amazon Spheres?+
Amazon Spheres was designed by NBBJ. It is located in Seattle, United States.
Where is Amazon Spheres located?+
Amazon Spheres is located in Seattle, United States. Its coordinates are 47.6156°, -122.3394°.
Can I visit Amazon Spheres?+
Amazon Spheres is a real building in Seattle that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.