In 2004, Amazon expanded their corporate offices in downtown Seattle, south of Lake Union. 3rd yr. students were given a challenge to design new corporate headquarters that would include office, retail and food service spaces. This winning design incorporated all of these spaces and more into a green and sustainable design whose form deives from a tree shape referencing the forest from which the origin of the companies name. The plan includes 20 floors divided into 5 sections that include exterior garden spaces for employees and a rooftop suite, conference rooms and gardens for corporate executives.

The plan also uniquely creates a covered outdoor pedestrian pathway on the ground floor, allowing pedestrian traffic to dissect the property diagonally from each corner rather than having to walk around the entire city block. This also invites the public in and thru the ground floor which house cafes, food kiosks, retail and display space. The landscaped ground around the building provides space for employees and public to enjoy the surrounding views of the city and Lake Union.

The primary power source for the building is solar panels, which are integrated into the skin of the building as represented by layers of green photovoltaic fabric cascading down the buildings east, south and west exterior facade.