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JOURNEY OF WONDER

^{The Amazon Campus is a Beacon for the City, a Workplace Future proofing Ecology and Culture, and an Ecosystem Nurturing Community}

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When Paragon Group’s architects handed over the building, it was an envelope whose contents were yet to be filled. The loose narrative, passed from Paragon to Design Partnership, was simple but tricky to execute: design an iconic building that, at the same time, is informed by its context — by the Liesbeek River home to Leptopelis frogs, the Raapenberg Sanctuary for birds, and the architectural typology of the area.

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From shell to icon

Architects rarely hand over a shell. But the Amazon offices in Cape Town began with a skeleton of a building — a double-volume masterplan to house Amazon’s homeplace amongst a lush green environment and ample light. Paragon’s framework gave Design Partnership, responsible for the interiors, flexibility for their own interpretation. Director of Paragon, Anthony Orelowitz, describes the process as ‘writing half the chapters of a book and passing it on to someone else to complete the story’. He adds, ‘Design Partnership did an incredible job with their architectural intervention. Theirs and ours have melded to create what I think is a beautiful set of buildings.’ This synergy between the architects and interior designers is felt throughout the building: in its dynamic, changing aesthetics from the façade to internal murals.

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While expressing the building in a warehouse industrial, almost-brutalist manner, the structure is attuned to its context, both ecologically and architecturally. The central buildings are regulated grids, housed in a concrete shell articulating a modern look. Raw materials were selected: stripped and exposed concrete and floor-to-ceiling glass maximise the light and views, and blue, oxygen-generating tiles complement the raw concrete. From the highway in the distance, one can spot the distinct tiles, designed bespoke to match Amazon’s primary colours.

‘Iconic buildings need to add value to the city,’ Anthony explains. Defined by its strong forms and recognisable Amazon blue, the precinct has become a visual marker in the city, one that he calls a ‘piece of specialness’ in the urban landscape.

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Futureproofing Culture

The journey begins at the podium — lush, green, welcoming. As one wanders further into the vicinity, an industrial structure, crafted from handmade copper, reveals itself. It is a striking feature testifying to the range of intrigue housed within the space. As a natural, pure form of copper, its colour darkened from gold to brown, and now edges on green.

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With its extensive reach around the world, Amazon has a clear vision behind the rhythm of their buildings: a rhythm that pre-empts staff needs — social and private, intimate and communal. They understand that for staff to thrive, they need to feel comfortable. But this building impresses beyond comfort. Anthony explains, ‘It’s like a journey of discovery for the people who work in the building. Every day you can find a space that matches your needs.’

Using architecture to foster relationships ensures what Anthony calls ‘futureproofing for the current and future culture’. For Design Partnership, this includes the preservation of local artistry, choosing art and craftmanship to define the campus’s character. ‘South African and African-born artists were commissioned for bespoke installations, while employee involvement in art selection ensured a meaningful connection to the space,’ says Carina Share, one of the directors at Design Partnership. This investment in local talent not only supports economic development but also enhances the authenticity of the workplace experience.

Fynbos and Veld

With the building being so close to the river, the architects had to design around the floodplain and not dig more than three metres underground. The buildings sit on podiums and have been built to integrate with the landscape — surrounded by trees, indigenous planting right up to the edges, and earthy materials that hide the buildings’ base. The ‘Lily Pads’, an organic route that wraps around the buildings, is flanked by high veld grass, making it feel as though you are walking through Fynbos and veld on the Upper Deck. Plants are layered in different heights and colours, a vision from Paragon fulfilled by the landscapers.

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As for the Leptopelis frogs, special ‘highways’ protect this species: following an immense research scheme, the ‘frog highways’ were built with barriers and small openings in the fence, which prevents them from escaping and being hurt. The once-concrete walls of the Liesbeek River were broken down, its edges softened and restored with indigenous plants and fish.

Curating the workplace

The design is rooted in the ARC — Amazon Restoration Conservation — concept, inspired by conservation principles: nurturing community, much like ecosystems ensure survival. Design Partnership, in collaboration with Interior Architects London (IA), followed this strategy: optimised for efficiency, the workplace balances social interaction and productivity, offering a variety of spaces from focus-driven zones to collaborative spaces. Alongside the casual lounges and outdoor terraces, curated amenities such as an auditorium, training facilities, and dining spaces reflect a holistic approach to the workplace experience.

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Inspired by Cape Town’s natural ecosystems, the design layers biophilic elements — greenery, greenhouses, and terrariums — enhancing environmental performance and employee well-being. The campus supports biodiversity, housing 20 critically endangered plant species.

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The ‘treehouse’, a central architectural feature in the reception, anchors the campus as a central hub for collaboration, training, and curated dining. More than just an office, the Cape Town campus embodies IA and Design Partnership’s approach to future-focused, human-centric design where innovation, sustainability, and culture come together to create a thriving workplace.

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Beyond its physical design, the campus fosters a strong sense of community and inclusivity. It’s more than just a workplace, providing spaces for knowledge sharing, cultural engagement, and social interaction. Spaces are distinguished from each other, each meeting the different needs of employees. These defined spaces — and the people that will inhabit them — informed key aspects of the workspace, from art selection to environmental features, fostering a sense of ownership and belonging. It’s an office unlike any other. The Amazon campus in Cape Town emerges as an ecological landmark. Designed to support the company’s shift to a full-time office presence, the campus reimagines the traditional workplace by integrating conservation, wellness, and adaptability.