Back in October 2016, we published an article entitled The natural approach to improving workplace wellbeing, which highlighted the positive effects of introducing natural elements into the workplace. Now, with the opening of Amazon’s new ‘rainforest offices’ in Seattle, we’re wonding whether the world’s largest retailer saw our article and took the ideas to the extreme!
This amazing new extension to Amazon’s main campus comprises three glass domes known as The Spheres, and houses 40,000 plants from 40 individual species.
More like a greenhouse than a conventional office, the new extension has walkways and unconventional meeting spaces instead of enclosed conference rooms and desks. When interviewed at the opening, John Schoettler, Amazon’s vice president said “We wanted to create something really special, something iconic for our campus and for the city of Seattle”.
Amazon hopes The Spheres’ tropical rainforest atmosphere will provide an inspirational environment for its employees. The Exeter University study that we reported on 18 months ago showed that a workspace enhanced with plants increased wellbeing by 47%, creativity by 45%, and productivity by 38%, so we reckon Amazon is on to a winner!
You don’t need a budget the size of Amazon’s for an office design to bear fruit. At Procol, we aim to develop professional working environments that inspire staff, clients and visitors in equal measure – and do so for businesses of all sizes. To learn more, just get in touch.