米アマゾン、第２本社デザイン公開

【ワシントンＡＦＰ＝時事】米ネット通販大手アマゾン・ドットコムは2日、バージニア州アーリントンで進む、第2本社「HQ2」の第2工期の「自然を取り入れた」デザインを公開した。（写真は米アマゾンがバージニア州アーリントンで建設を進める第2本社のイメージ画像。同社提供）
　ＨＱ２の敷地全体は「ペンプレイス」と名付けられており、中心には地元に自生する植物を使った庭園に囲まれた二重らせん構造のビル「ヘリックス」が建てられる。
　今回発表されたデザインは、ワシントン州シアトルに本部を置く同社２か所目の本部となるＨＱ２の一部で、建設費用は２５億ドル（約２６００億円）に上る。
　建設計画では２２階建てのビル３棟も建設され、合わせて２６万平方メートルのオフィススペースが整備される。
　アマゾンの第２本社建設地をめぐっては、地方自治体に税優遇策を競わせる結果となり、同社は批判を受けた。ニューヨークも建設地に選ばれたが、計画をめぐり政治的にもめたため、白紙となった。アマゾンは２０１７年、アーリントンをＨＱ２の建設現場に選択した。
　ＨＱ２の第１工期はすでに着工しており、向こう１０年で同地域に２万５０００人分の雇用を生み出す見込み。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】

〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2021/02/04-16:04）

Amazon on Tuesday unveiled what it called a nature-infused design for the second phase of its second headquarters, being developed just outside Washington.
The centerpiece of the new Arlington, Virginia, development to be called PenPlace will be a double-helix building surrounded by landscaped gardens with plants native to the region.
The design unveiled is the latest part of Amazon's $2.5 billion HQ2 which will become a second headquarters for the technology and e-commerce giant based in Seattle, Washington.
The Helix at our Arlington headquarters will offer a variety of alternative work environments for Amazon employees amidst lush gardens and flourishing trees native to the region, the company's global real estate and facilities vice president John Schoettler said in a statement.
A true double helix in shape and structure, this unique building will feature two walkable paths of landscaped terrain that will spiral up the outside of the building, featuring plantings you may find on a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
Amazon said it would include an artist-in-residence program to be hosted within the Helix that would allow local artists to showcase their work.
Amazon chose the site in 2017 after an extensive search that drew criticism for sparking a bidding war of tax incentives from municipalities across the country. An additional site in New York was also selected but later abandoned amid a political feud over the plan.
HQ2, the first phase of which is already under construction, is expected to bring some 25,000 jobs to the region over the next decade.
The second phase designed by architecture firm NBBJ aimed to infuse nature into the urban landscape and create a unique, sustainable environment where our employees can work and invent for our customers, Schoettler said.
Our designs create open and active spaces that aim to bring people closer to nature in an effort to further nurture innovation and creativity.
The plan calls for 260,000 square meters (2.8 million square feet) of new office space across three 22-story buildings.
The design promotes well-being and physical exercise, Schoettler said.
We hope that the blend of architectural and ecological elements at PenPlace.. will inspire those who work here and serve as an inviting place for neighbors to gather, relax, dine, and shop.
He added that the design aims to inspire people in a way similar to the Spheres at Amazon?s Seattle headquarters.