AISC

The Spheres

Award Category: Presidential Award for Excellence in Fabrication

Transforming Seattle's urban core, The Spheres, fabricated by Supreme Steel Portland (AISC Member, AISC Certified), are three intersecting, steel-and-glass-orbs enclosing five, freestanding floors of unorthodox workspaces. Housing over 40,000 exotic plants from 30 countries, the eye-catching domes are creations of innovative thinking between Amazon and the design team highlighting "what's missing from urban offices"—a direct link to nature "combining a rich natural environment with comfortable human-centric functionality." Providing an alternative workplace for Amazon employees, The Spheres deliver a hybrid environment inspiring collaboration, creativity, and innovation while visitors immerse themselves in a 360-degree interactive experience. Meeting these goals requires extensive team collaboration and complex, technology-based innovations.

  • Project Category: Year 2019
  • Location: Seattle, WA
  • Award Winner Year: 2019
  • Year Completed: 2017
  • Submitting Firm: Magnusson Klemencic Associates
  • Photo Credit: 1,3 - NBBJ Sean Airhart; 2 - Magnusson Klemencic Associates; 4,5 - Bruce Damonte