Amazon's crazy new crystal dome headquarters is under construction — here's what it will look like when it's finished

Amazon is building a new headquarters in Seattle. The company scrapped original plans for a rectangular design and replaced it with three connected domes.

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The structure's design inspiration comes from buildings all over the world, including a zoo in Germany and gardens in Singapore. It will be tall enough to accommodate fully-grown trees inside. 

The domes could take more than six years to build and the headquarters would take up 3.3 million square feet, but construction has finally begun. 

Here is what it looks like now:

 

But look below to see how gorgeous it will look when finished — renderings were put together by NBBJ.

 

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Here's what the proposed Amazon dome headquarters will look like when it's finished.

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And an aerial view of the surrounding Seattle buildings.

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Here's the headquarters that was previously proposed and approved.

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Here's what Amazon wants to build instead.

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It's going to take up multiple blocks.

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The headquarters Amazon initially proposed used less green space. This has "nature" better integrated in the structure.

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Here are models of what the multi-dome headquarters would look like.

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Image Credit: NBBJ Seattle.gov

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Amazon dome headquarters designs
Image Credit: NBBJ Seattle.gov

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The domes were inspired by multiple real-life structures, including this convention center in Ottowa, Canada.

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Image Credit: NBBJ Seattle.gov

And Mitchel Park Conservatory in Milwaukee.

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The Renzo Piano in Genoa, Italy.

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The greenhouse's interior.

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Singapore's Gardens by the Bay is a similar structure that combines nature and architecture.

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Image Credit: NBBJ Seattle.gov

So does the Nabana-No-Sato in Nagashima, Japan.

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The National Botanic Garden of Wales in the UK is another source of inspiration for Amazon.

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As is this Zoo in Leipzig, Germany.

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Amazon dome headquarters designs

Amazon dome headquarters designs
Image Credit: NBBJ Seattle.gov

The headquarters will be a mix of retail, primary buildings, a large lobby and parking garages.

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There will be canopies and bike access.

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Here are the plans for the second, third and fourth floors of the proposed domes.

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Here's what it would look like from the street.

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And a diagram of the east/west section of the space.

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A more realistic sketch.

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This one from 6th Avenue.

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Here it is from Lenora Street.

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And from the other side.

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Here's the view that was previously approved along 6th Avenue.

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And what the domes would look like instead.

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The view looking west.

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Looking southeast along 6th Avenue.

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The view from 7th Avenue, looking Southwest.

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Image Credit: NBBJ Seattle.gov

Here are some of the outdoor spaces that are inspiring the campus as well. They include fields, hanging lights, dog parks and water fountains.

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The previously approved tower and podium.

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The new, improved design.

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Here's how it would look, to scale.

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And again.

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Image Credit: NBBJ Seattle.gov
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But is it better than Apple's spaceship-like headquarters?

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Apple via AppleInsider

Check Out Apple's New 'Spaceship' Headquarters >

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