Amazon leverages cutting-edge Stratacell...

Amazon leverages cutting-edge Stratacell solution in new Seattle headquarters

 

Amazon

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E-commerce and cloud computing company, Amazon, has leveraged Citygreen’s cutting-edge Stratacell™ system in its new multi-million office headquarters in South Lake Union, Seattle. Purpose-built to accommodate 20,000 employees, the new headquarters consists of multiple buildings surrounded by mingling areas and plazas.

One plaza, located between two buildings on 6th Avenue, has been constructed above a parking structure, and is home to several feature trees (Cercidiphyllum japonicum and Magnolia laevifolia) requiring large planting areas.

Amazon leverages-cutting edge Stratacell solution

Engineering plans allowed enough soil volume beneath the plaza to house the trees, but a significant challenge emerged – how to provide sufficient structural support to cope with the weight of heavy vehicles such as a boom lift, to be used for maintenance. Soil cells were identified as an ideal solution, however many products were rejected because they lacked the structural strength required.

Stratacell in Amazon new Seattle headquarters

Citygreen’s 60-series Stratacell system fulfilled the strength requirements, and Citygreen worked directly with the consulting landscape architect – Site Workshop of Seattle – to design the structural elements of the plaza. This consists of 500 StrataCells, supported by a concrete slab, a drain-mat, and another slab above. Citygreen provided plan views of the installation to calculate the quantity of cells required, and to show how the slab would be supported. Construction was completed by Pacific Earthworks.

Amazon leverages cutting edge Stratacell solution

November 2015

Amazon

July 2019

 

Site Workshop, along with the project architect, are very happy with the solution, making particular note of how quickly the cells went together and how easy it was to thread the drip irrigation through the structure. Time will tell how the rigidity of the plaza structure performs, but all signs point towards to successful outcome, with beautiful trees for Amazon employees to enjoy.

“Great customer service, quick response times and a very in depth QA system with constant support.”

- Laura Wiesenekker, Project Engineer, Densford Civil -

“Citygreen is a very professional  business, and I found everything was great in terms of deliveries, product supply and information. It was all forthcoming and helped us to complete the project.”

- Keith Burns, Architect/Designer, Keith Burns Architect -

“Citygreen offered training and invaluable technical assistance during the works.”

- James Callan, Estimating Manager, Complex Co Pty Ltd -

“Our experience, in working with a Citygreen Design Studio was second to none. We found responses from the design studio to be very timely, and technically thorough. We went backwards and forwards a number of times, looking at different iterations of the design and, nothing was too much trouble to examine and explore different possibilities. I would highly recommend the Citygreen Design Studio to any future client considering using your services.”

- Sandra Smith, Principal Landscape Architect, City Of Monash -

“We are big on compliance on all projects, and the fact that their SmartCertify cloud platform covers all bases, and supports their 20 year warranties, is critical – especially that these pits are being installed under roadways and footpaths.”

- Johny Purkaystha, Civil Program Engineer, Central Coast Council -

"I reviewed all the previous projects that we have installed in the past couple years using your product and I can happily report back that we have 0% mortality in the soil cells, which is incredible!"

- Brendan Wilton, CEO, Trim Landscaping, Bedford, Canada -