Where Nature Meets Innovation: A Lesson Plan on the Amazon Spheres & Biophilic Design

Engage high school students with this interdisciplinary lesson plan on the Amazon Spheres. Students will explore the concept of biophilic design, analyzing the architecture, biology, and business strategy behind this iconic structure. This lesson includes a virtual tour, critical thinking exercises, and a hands-on design challenge where students create their own nature-inspired space. Perfect for classes in architecture, biology, business, or design thinking, this resource fosters creativity and evaluates the impact of design on well-being and corporate innovation.

Create Your Own Custom Lesson Plan
Previous Lesson
PDF

Lesson Plan: The Amazon Spheres - Where Nature Meets Innovation

Subject: Interdisciplinary (Architecture, Biology, Business, Design Thinking)

Recommended Age: 15-18 years old

Estimated Time: 75-90 minutes

Materials Needed

  • Computer or tablet with internet access
  • Notebook or word processor for taking notes and writing reflections
  • Drawing materials (paper and pencils/pens) or a digital design tool (like Canva, SketchUp Free, or even a simple drawing app)
  • Access to video/image resources (links provided within the lesson)

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Analyze the key architectural and engineering features of the Amazon Spheres.
  • Explain the concept of "biophilia" and how it is applied in workplace design.
  • Evaluate the intended impact of the Spheres on employees, the company, and the community.
  • Create a concept for your own biophilic space that incorporates key design principles.

Lesson Plan

I. Introduction (10 minutes)

Hook: The Rainforest Office

Start with a thought-provoking question: "What if your classroom, office, or study space felt less like a box and more like a rainforest? Imagine doing your work surrounded by 40,000 plants from around the world, with the sound of a waterfall in the background. This isn't a sci-fi movie; it's a real place of work in downtown Seattle called the Amazon Spheres. Why would one of the biggest tech companies in the world spend over a billion dollars to build giant glass domes filled with exotic trees for its employees?"

State the Objectives

"Today, we're going to go on a virtual tour of this incredible structure. We'll explore not just *what* it is, but *why* it exists. We'll break down the science behind designing with nature, analyze its purpose, and by the end, you'll get to be the architect and design your own nature-inspired space."

II. Body: The Content & Practice (50 minutes)

This section follows the 'I do, We do, You do' model.

Part 1: Deconstructing the Domes - The 'What' (15 mins)

  • I Do (Educator presents): "Let's start by looking at the building itself. The Spheres are made of three connected glass domes. The largest is over 90 feet tall. The glass panels are arranged in a pattern based on a geometric shape called a pentagonal hexecontahedron, which allows for structural strength without needing a massive internal frame. Inside, it's a carefully controlled environment, housing over 400 different plant species, including a 55-foot-tall ficus tree named 'Rubi'. The primary purpose isn't to be a tourist attraction, but a unique workspace for Amazon employees, a place to think and create away from a traditional desk."
    Explore together using a virtual resource. Search for "Amazon Spheres Virtual Tour" on YouTube or explore the official Spheres website's gallery.
  • We Do (Guided Discussion): As you look at images or a video tour, discuss the following:
    • "What are your first impressions? What adjectives come to mind?"
    • "How is this different from every other office building or school you've ever seen?"
    • "What challenges do you think the architects and engineers faced when building this?"
    • "Notice the different types of spaces inside—the 'treehouse' meeting rooms, the pathways, the living walls. How do these elements contribute to the overall atmosphere?"
  • You Do (Quick Practice): "In your notebook, write down three architectural or design features of the Spheres that you find most impressive or interesting. Be prepared to explain why you chose them."

Part 2: The Science of Biophilia - The 'Why' (15 mins)

  • I Do (Educator explains): "So, why build this? The answer lies in a concept called biophilia. The term literally means 'love of life or living systems.' It's based on the idea that humans have an innate, biological need to connect with nature. Biophilic design is an architectural approach that intentionally incorporates nature into our built environments. Studies have shown that this isn't just about looking pretty; it has real benefits. Being around nature, or even just images of it, can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve focus, and boost creativity. For a company like Amazon, whose success depends on innovation, creating a space that sparks new ideas is a very strategic business decision."
  • We Do (Connect to Personal Experience): "Think about a time you were in a natural setting—a park, a forest, the beach. How did you feel? Now, think about your own study space. What elements of nature are present? What could be added? Let's brainstorm some simple ways to apply biophilic design to a room: adding a plant, maximizing natural light, using natural materials like wood, or even just having a view of the outdoors."
  • You Do (Application): "Look back at the images of the Spheres. Identify and list four specific examples of biophilic design principles at work inside the building. (Examples could be: living walls, abundant natural light, presence of water, natural shapes/forms, variety of plant life)."

Part 3: The Bigger Picture - The 'Impact' (20 mins)

  • I Do (Educator presents): "A building like this is more than just a place to work. It’s a statement. For Amazon, it’s a powerful tool for recruiting top talent—who wouldn't want to work there? It's also a symbol of their brand: innovative, forward-thinking, and connected to the environment. However, it's not without criticism. Some see it as a symbol of corporate excess in a city with a significant housing crisis. While it has some public access through the 'Understory' exhibit and occasional tours, it is largely a private space for employees. This raises questions about the role of large corporations in shaping our cities."
  • We Do (Critical Thinking Discussion): Let's debate this a little.
    • Argument For: "A company investing in beautiful, groundbreaking architecture improves the city, inspires innovation, and provides a healthier environment for its employees."
    • Argument Against: "The money could have been better spent on community needs. It's an exclusive space that highlights the divide between big tech and the rest of the city."
    • "Which side do you lean towards, and why? Can both be true?"
  • You Do (Summative Project - Design Challenge): This is your chance to be the architect. Your challenge is to design a concept for a biophilic space.

III. Conclusion & Summative Assessment (15 minutes)

Summative Project: Design Your Own Biophilic Space

The Task: Choose a space you know well—your bedroom, a study area, a classroom, or even a section of a local library—and re-imagine it using the principles of biophilic design you learned today.

Your Deliverable:

  1. A Sketch: Create a simple floor plan or a perspective drawing of your space. It doesn't need to be perfect art; it's about communicating your ideas. You can do this on paper or using a digital tool.
  2. A Written Description (3-5 sentences): Explain your design.
    • Name at least three specific biophilic elements you included.
    • Explain why you included them, connecting each choice to a potential benefit (e.g., "I added a small fountain because the sound of water can reduce stress," or "I positioned the desk to face a window to maximize natural light and improve focus.").

Success Criteria: What a great project looks like...

  • Your design is creative and clearly incorporates natural elements.
  • You identify at least three distinct biophilic features.
  • Your explanation clearly links your design choices to the human benefits we discussed (creativity, focus, well-being, etc.).

Closure & Recap (5 minutes)

  • Learner Recap: "Let's review. In your own words, what are the two main reasons a company would build something like the Amazon Spheres?"
  • Final Takeaway: "The main takeaway today is that the environments we build for ourselves have a huge impact on how we feel, think, and create. The Amazon Spheres are an extreme example, but the principles behind them—the importance of connecting with nature—can be applied anywhere, even in our own homes and communities."

Differentiation & Extension

  • Scaffolding for Support: Provide a checklist for the design project with a list of biophilic elements to choose from (e.g., natural light, water feature, plants, natural materials, view of nature, natural patterns). Spend more time on the brainstorming phase of the design.
  • Extension for Advancement: Research another famous example of biophilic architecture, such as the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore or the Bosco Verticale in Milan. Write a short paragraph comparing and contrasting its purpose and design with the Amazon Spheres. Alternatively, research the specific engineering required to create the climate inside the Spheres that supports plants from cloud forest ecosystems.

Ask a question about this lesson