We Simulate the Way Corporate Headquarters Sound

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Built EnvironmentBuilt Environment

Industry

Corporate Offices

Location

United States

At 2.1 million sq ft, Amazon’s new HQ2 in Arlington required advanced acoustic design and real-time simulation to meet strict Workplace Guidelines and protect employee comfort.

Challenge

As Amazon envisioned this new chapter, the company enlisted Gensler to design a total of 38 workplace floors across both towers. In collaborating on the design of Amazon’s Metropolitan Park, Gensler brought together its branding and workplace design experts to cultivate an environment that is uniquely Amazon. Through experiential graphics, vibrant amenity spaces, and versatile workspaces, Gensler’s hospitality inspired design creates a new workplace experience that embraces the individuality of each Amazon employee and reflects the spirit of the DMV area it calls home.

Solutions

Cerami worked alongside Gensler and ZGF Architects to provide acoustic consulting for HQ2’s enclosed offices, huddle rooms, and shared areas. The team deployed their Audio Simulation service to model spaces and let Amazon hear exactly how sound would behave before construction, enabling adjustments in real-time. The design integrated sound masking and detailed noise control measures to deliver workplace privacy and comfort.

Services Performed

Trinity provided acoustic design for offices, conference and huddle rooms, and amenity spaces, implementing real-time audio simulations, designing sound masking systems, controlling mechanical noise, and ensuring full compliance with Amazon’s Workplace Guidelines.

Results

We provided acoustic consulting services for this corporate headquarters. The project’s acoustical concerns focused on ensuring the design complied with Amazon’s Workplace Guidelines, sound transmission between spaces and mitigating background noise levels from landlord and tenant mechanical systems. Our acoustic design focused on enclosed office spaces, conference rooms, huddle rooms, and other typical office amenity spaces. We worked closely with Gensler and ZGF Architects to create a space that addresses all of Amazon’s guidelines and provides the sound masking that is necessary in this type of office environment. This space was a perfect candidate for our Audio Simulation service. Our model of the area enabled the client to hear how our designs would affect their office before we even entered the space.

2.1M

Sq ft HQ2 campus

38

Workplace floors