Everything WRONG with Amazon's Spheres in Seattle

[@Observer29830]

It's a problem with many things nowadays, not just buildings. People make stuff to look futuristic, rather than actually creating things that advance us into the future. One of these is genuine, the other - play pretend.

[@da4127]

reminds me of that tesla useless underground tunnel that drives single cars, it looks futuristic but is ultimately pointless and serves no other purpose than looking nice

[@blinded6502]

@@da4127 And the exact opposite of that, funny enough, - are SpaceX rockets, since they neglect all the futurism in order to perfect the function

[@rookandpawn]

agreed. id say there's no difference between this and the 1950's exhibits of "What the Future Looks Like". The whole thing is a giant illusion of progress. With Amazon spheres They literally built a false idol. Not a surprise

[@jellybean9281]

Sounds like Tesla cars.

[@crazydragy4233]

@Villiam Yeah, of course you can praise cool looking stuff but not for what it's saying it's doing. Which is at least half the point of these vanity projects. They pretend. If they were honest about their bs there'd be nothing to criticise.

[@Mr-Squeeky]

Here in Seattle they’re affectionately known as Bezos’ Balls. Not the legacy setting image he was hoping to establish on the downtown landscape.

[@elainelouve]

XD

[@spoonikle]

Jeff bozo balls

[@MamaMOB]

I didn’t even know they existed. 🤷‍♀️

[@Luigi64real]

Rumor has it they will erect one of Bezos's Rockets next to the balls

[@blazingstar9638]

Lol

[@zd6Gtoz6sUyZ]

I used to work in the tower across from the spheres. No one took walking meetings there. The paths are very short, you're back where you started in a minute. It's mostly a tourist attraction, and a showpiece for Amazon HQ. It was nice to take coffee breaks there, but I rarely did.

[@ReflexVE]

Same, I was in the Doppler building and we just called these Jeff's balls. Only times I went inside were because friends wanted tours. Was not a practical Workspace.

[@kindlin]

@@ReflexVE OMG YES! This is amazing. I'm cracking up right now.

[@dxwallace55]

I live on Fourth and Battery (Fountain Court Apartments) a few blocks away, I kinda find it aesthetically appealing and interesting, it was fun watching it go up, but if you don't work for Amazon, it's hard to get up in there. It does feel like a Bezos Billionaire's monument, but hey. I walk past it everyday, and it always pops in my mind, how much energy it takes to maintain this artificial environment? I mean, is it trying to be this monument to the "green" movement, but burning so much fuel for its climate control, is it counter productive and hypocritical to a healthy planet? Not saying it is, but I'm always asking myself. The other point is, it kinda looks like a "plant zoo", if that makes sense what I'm saying. But, you'd have to find an Amazon employee to get a real opinion on these things (though most of those cats are so indoctrinated to the Amazon Cult, and aren't allowed write freely about Amazon on Social Media, you may never get the truth, unless it's a non-disgruntled, ex-employee....).

[@12Mantis]

@@ReflexVE Have you heard about any problems maintaining the interior? Considering just how humid it's supposed to be that could play merry h_ll with electronics and unprotected steel parts.

[@Benjamin1986980]

Thank you. I was guessing that would be the response. A nice place to take breaks, completely useless as a functional work environment. Just like the new fad of open office floor plans coming back to encourage creativity, it only works if you ignore people. The real work is not done in meetings. Never has been. You design something, then you have to sit down and 90% of it is working out the details on paper. I don't get is didn't all these consultants and other managers start out on the bottom rungs? Don't they remember how the vast majority of the work is not done collaboratively but is sitting down implementing the plan?

[@michaelrexrode3759]

Ms Carr has an unerring eye for the useless, silly and just plain wrong aspects of modern design. She should act as consultant to these behemoth organizations to help them avoid making foolish choices such as these domes.

[@dash4800]

you think the ultra rich like Bezos would listen. They want their gaudy dreams to be reality and nobody will tell them otherwise.

[@misterpopo3920]

Who cares if it looks good and sounds good

[@juannavarrete9647]

I think the main point is their reasoning for it. They say “Studies show that…” when we all know, even them, that is some bs and they just want to build theses domes. If I am being honest, I would want one medium sized dome in my town/city because I do think it’s cool and I think more people would visit the city if we had it. But also, it would make more sense here because it’s a desert with no tall buildings but that is also the reason why it doesn’t make sense to have one here because it’s a desert and if we were to plant plants that require a lot of water, it would use up more of our water resources. Maybe if it was it desert plants but they would still require more water. Like another comment said, people try to make things look nice and futuristic and whatnot but without no actual interest in improving or advancing. Who knows maybe these domes will bring in a lot of money but if not, they just might become a case study of what not to do or become a video essay by Bright Film Studio

[@jamesbaxter222]

@@juannavarrete9647 actually I think they are referring to various studies regarding pacing and how pacing helps us cope with high stress levels and anxiety. Pacing absolutely helps me think clearly and deeply. Also people say that it’s easier to have tough conversations when your not looking directly at another person. I do agree with this as well like when I am talking to someone on a car ride I’m looking forward instead of directly at the other person. It feels less combative I guess.

[@gengis737]

@@juannavarrete9647 For what I know planting in desert with a well thought water distribution is both attractive and efficient to turn the climate more wet. Look at the way canals in oasis make date palm trees grow both for food, shadow, wood, and to protect the water from the sand dunes. Plus, being unused for centuries, desert earth can be surprisingly productive when watered.

[@Mark_How]

This is why no one likes us engineers and designers, we happily walk into situations, pick up other people's dreams, look at them and then unconsciously say to ourselves "this is cute, but it's wrong" and then proceed to tear them up and throw them into the air to flutter down amid the unbelieving stares. We then ask people "what's wrong?" and we're genuinely sincere in that question. Great video Belinda

[@BJCMXY]

@Chris B To compete with an Engineer who is wrong, you must use that which they comprehend... Because they don't understand otherwise. Some people just need someone that will sit down, and be patient ask them why they think they are right, and ask questions that help them think about it from a different perspective. The more articulate you are, and the better you are at maintaining your position and cool...the fewer problems you will face when handling such people. That's what I have learned... And I learned it early win life...I was a terrifying child to talk with apparently... And I apparently strike fear into others as an adult. That's not a boast, only a statement of fact.

[@bloodyidit4506]

A dumb ass idea is a dumb ass idea. People other then the builder have to be there unless it's their house or something, you have to consider others and the future of the building otherwise it should not be built, metal and glass are expensive these days as is.

[@thomaspetrucka9173]

Best comment

[@theywalkinguptoyouand4060]

Either make it work or explain properly why it can't work, rather than being a condescending ass, like most engineers are.

[@bloodyidit4506]

@@theywalkinguptoyouand4060 To some architects, criticizing a design calmly would be considered being a condescending ass. You either get your message out or not at all. Making a building that helps no one and even hinders society is selfish and foolish. You should be focused on genuinely helping people first, designing a building as an art piece first without considering it's use is selfish. if you want to make an art piece put it in a museum or somewhere where it won't hurt anyone.

[@compadrelucas]

it is courageous to point out such obvious contradictions despite the building being so beautiful . To me it seems like a precious maintenance nightmare that would be decommissioned in a decade unless it becomes a tourist attraction.

[@seanworkman431]

They are a maintenance nightmare, just cleaning the glass, I worked with a team cleaning a glass atrium and we could only do it on weekends when the staff were not there because we were 8 stories up on a glass roof and could be seen from the ground floor. This tripled the cost. A beautiful design and reconstruction of an old building but the cleaning and maintenance was immense.

[@jessepender5239]

So much of what gets designed is far to influenced by what makes for flashy portfolio images rather than what makes the most practical sense.

[@archkull]

@@jessepender5239 More important for them to look good on a photo than to people actually seeing it. It is one of the largest downsides that comes with the world being so connected online.

[@lanzer22]

Well, better keep our Prime subscriptions going to keep those spheres well maintained! :D

[@dxwallace55]

I live a few block away (4th and Battery) and have similar feelings as I walk past everyday. It's an architectural triumph for my own taste, but the Non-Amazon Zombies amongst us, like myself, cannot just stroll in (you gotta be part of the Amazon Cult and I think even then, by appointment only). I'll defer to an Amazon employee for a real assessment, but from outside looking in, it feels like a super pretty chick who doesn't like to have sex cause it messes up her hair.....nice to look at, but no practical use, and too high maintenance. It also looks like a "Plant Zoo".

[@jaker3151]

I wouldn't be surprised if the thinking behind this was simply the fact that the company's name is called "amazon" and they thought it was necessary to create something that resembled it. If the company was called 'birdy' they probably would of built an aviary for birds and humans.

[@yesthatguyz]

LOL it's "Amazon" but they skipped the actual Amazon and got their plants from SE Asia...

[@rurutuM]

at least they are spending the money to build and maintain the thing instead of hiding it in off shore tax shelters

[@rossmcleod7983]

Agreed. The Spheres are way too “top heavy”. The ongoing engineering to keep it afloat makes it a squandered whim. Architects and excess often go hand in hand.

[@BelindaCarr]

I completely agree. The designers had a good grip on "form" but disregarded "function".

[@davefink2326]

Ross McLeod signaling virtue seems to be a lucrative profession. And fashionable!

[@meatybtz]

Reminds me of that utter failure that Biosphere 2 was. As with most "green" ideas, they are utter self-contradictory nonsense. It isn't that there are not actual "sustainable" environments and techs it is just most is about posturing and "appearance" and if you scratch the surface you find something about ego and self-serving appearances underneath and usually in a highly destructive manner. Most people can't see pas their noses so electrical cars seem a great way to Virtue Signal, but all it does is move the pollution elsewhere and in fact, make it worse. As someone who grew up experience the tail end of the LA Smog, yes, air quality was a problem.. THEN. Right now that electric car is making things worse, not better. Those solar panels require more energy and more toxic processing/byproducts than they save in coal burning plants and sum-total energy produced over their lifespan. In truth, short of going to a Type-1 Civilization, technology and modernity are going to be a careful balance of destructive costs and positive benefits. The destructive costs will follow any benefit, it is based on the very laws that govern our universe. That does not mean you cannot be conservative with nature and caretake what we have, it's just that you must always be realistic with yourself and understand the cost/benefit and conserve where you can, be mindful, not wasteful, and comprehend that any modern benefit is going to come at a cost.

[@RandomAmbles]

@@meatybtz Solar panels are worse than coal? I have to question your source there. I'm aware they have serious disposal issues at the end of their lifetime and require energy to produce, but I would be quite surprised if the coal they replace over their lifespan would not have far worse effects. As for electric cars, my best understanding is that though they're only as good as the source of power that supplies them (if it's coal it's a coal car) and require more energy to manufacture, they can actually make a fair deal of ecological and financial sense in certain areas. Is the claim that because of all the other places they're being used they don't have a positive effect overall? Because that itself may be only a temporary negative on the way to energy transitions in how we produce power. Internal combustion is an inherent pollution issue that doesn't benefit from regenerative breaking unless hybridized. I have no doubt that each makes more sense than electric cars do in a great many locations currently, but long-term, expanding the market for electric vehicles (even, sadly, through hype) might very well be the best option. As much as I hate dishonest marketing, it does prevent people from noticing the risks that are inherent to transitions. Machiavellian, I know. But honesty may not actually be the best policy.

[@chrissmith3587]

@@RandomAmbles there’s some argument that solar panels aren’t great, as the poly silicon that is used to make them often comes from China specifically Xinjiang (the area where uighurs live so lots of issues with slavery) and the main source of power there is coal. But this is not the same as being just as bad as coal, coal is awful.

[@jdfehrenbach]

I can answer your humidity question: so relative humidity is just that - it’s relative to the dry bulb temperature - so for instance at 75 degrees and 60% relative humidity, that corresponds with a dewpoint of 80 degrees (which honestly yeah, that is really high). So at night, your temps drop off out west pretty quickly, indoor temp might drop to 60 deg F at night, but if the dewpoint stays the same, the relative humidity will go up. 60 deg F dry bulb temp and 80 degree dewpoint temp gives you 100% RH. That’s just an example, but you get the idea. So the total amount of moisture in the air stays the same but the relative value changes as the temperature changes. Don’t worry, it’s confusing even for HVAC / mechanical engineers.

[@abcdeisthekeygaming277]

I was going to say something very similar. Most people don't realize that warm air holds more humidity than cold air. So warm air has a lower humidity than cold air even if they have the same amount of moisture in the air

[@fast1nakus]

@@abcdeisthekeygaming277 no idea about most people, but in my profession we have 2 kinds of humidity - relativ and absolute. Absolute is always the same and measuring g/m³ of water. And relative depends on temperature and measures in % of how much air is saturated with water.

[@peterbreis5407]

Belinda is perfectly aware of that. That wasn't the point, it was the ludicrous attempt to control all this with AC plant.

[@fast1nakus]

@@peterbreis5407 look at this fucking mindreader. Or do you have a list of information that she's aware of?

[@prasakmanitou4925]

Belinda's point is spot on. Greenhaus full of vegetation is not a good place for paper documents or PCs... Strong AC is necessary to keep temperature and humidity always down, especially during nights, otherwise, rain of condensation is everywhere.

[@abcdeisthekeygaming277]

What bothers me most is that they used non native endangered plants in the greenhouse

[@kindlin]

Yes! What? How (why?) did they get a hold of endangered plants to then put on public display in a completely artificial environment? They need to be maintained in their natural environment through preservation of forest and saving them from degradation and destruction, not through some contrived effort that's costing millions in upkeep.

[@eccremocarpusscaber5159]

@@kindlin Does that mean you think plants should only be grown in their native habitats? The word “endangered” does not always equate to plants that have been ripped from their habitats, but to plants that are fairly readily available to us but whose wild populations are dwindling due to numerous external factors.

[@placate9051]

@@eccremocarpusscaber5159 right, these have to be two of the dumbest takes here. I guess we should help endangered animals if they can't be kept in their native country lmao

[@kindlin]

@@eccremocarpusscaber5159 The fact they can't be kept in their native habitats is exactly the problem that needs fixing. If we've deemed that impossible, saving the last surviving members in some contrived setup is better than letting them die, just in case we rescue their native environment or they end up having the cure for cancer or something, but that doesn't make it the best option, or the thing we should be working towards.

[@eccremocarpusscaber5159]

@@kindlin Yes, that’s right. But it wasn’t in anyway what you said previously.

[@rdwilander]

Great video and commentary.... These spheres, while interesting and beautiful, to me seem like vanity and virtue signalling especially in any "green" context. The carbon cost of fabrication for complex steel shapes and transporting these rare endangered plants to the Pacific North west then the ongoing costs to maintain seem quite at odds conceptually with anything environmental/sustainable

[@freethebirds3578]

This strikes me as a tech giant trying to impose their ideas for control over nature, just like they want to control people.

[@dash4800]

Virtue signaling is right. They want to give the illusion of being green but its just a giant mass of steel and glass magnifying the sun on a bunch of plants that were stripped from their natural habitat and require massive resources to delay their inevitable death. Nothing green about it. They could have just built a park with real grass and native trees where people could sit on wooden benches and birds and squirrels could nest in the trees. But that wouldnt stroke Bezos' ego.

[@kinte1870]

If you can afford it then it's sustainable

[@chrissmith3587]

@@kinte1870 just wait to see what happens when the good times end

[@14reasons58]

What happens when the thing is all torn down? All those endangered plants will laterally just be destroyed and disposed of

[@camadams9149]

3:14 They definitely had the wrong paradigm. All my great, inspired ideas, have come when I am not at work. As an engineer I always have a problem getting worked out in the back of my mind. Then the solution comes to me when Im in the shower, walking around in my free time, or getting coffee. If they wanted to stimulate thought: 1) Find out when rush hour is (~5ish) 2) Start the salary shift at 12PM - 1PM and end it at 5PM 3) Offer free dinner at 5PM in the greenhouses 4-5 hours of work won't leave you feeling tired People will opt to stay and eat dinner instead of trying to drive home during rush hour People will have great ideas during those dinners (and they will be talking with coworkers) If you hired the type of people that get excited about solving problems (and have a young work force); I can guarantee anyone who comes up with an idea will be running back to their desk to try it out. They won't be tired from work, rush hour is trapping them there BUT they are relaxed, leaving later will make the commute quick, and they had the morning to deal with personal matters.

[@Wayne_Robinson]

Your choices of video clips to punctuate a point make me smile.

[@mabimabi212]

"What went wrong with spheres?" We should've stopped with domes.

[@TechGorilla1987]

The number of things you have going for you in respect to holding my interest is rather voluminous. Let's just leave it as "Subscribed"

[@BelindaCarr]

Wow, thank you for the support!

[@LC-ue6mp]

@@BelindaCarr I totally agree.

[@LC-ue6mp]

She will do very well. You're going to have difficult days. BUT, that's what makes the great days even more awesome. There are plenty of jerks. Feel free to ignore them or just give them a simple answer .... Never engage emotionally. They are not worth your effort. WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST!!!

[@cafekiva7892]

I've followed (shadowed) famous architects for 5 decades. Few of these firm's staff come close to Belinda in terms of sharing the points of light we actually need to know to appreciate the built environment.

[@adnanshabbar9310]

Leave these structures untouched for 2-3 months and is they don't survive on their own then don't call them "sustainable" . These structures don't survive because of their design brilliance but due to sheer force of technology. In my eyes these structures also show the lack of sensitivity to local conditions and arrogance of architects.

[@morfayah]

I get a kick out of the inserted videos, the best of both worlds, informative and funny. I love it. Thank you.

[@ProductBasement]

I would love to work in an environment that was 75 degrees. Every office I've ever worked in has been freezing. I drink way too much coffee just trying to keep my fingers from going numb

[@ProductBasement]

@@alexandrep4913 I drink coffee because it's hot, not because it has caffeine. I am one of the few people who drink decaf most of the time

[@YSLRD]

@@alexandrep4913 I don't mind 75 degrees. I'm pretty comfortable between 60 and 80.

[@brent...]

I LOVE spending time in greenhouses. Was in there a lot in college. Maybe they are different in Seattle vs Colorado, but I think I'd like it. I normally wear a coat in my current employers office.

[@MissCathexis]

I’m with you! I always had to wear a jacket or sweater at work.

[@TheNefastor]

I've experienced plants in airtight buildings. It stinks. Nobody is having fun, not even the plants.

[@Soleiletsplay]

I work at amazon, the primary problem with the Spheres is that it is unbearable to be inside. The constant humidity has caused the entire building to stink like mildew. There's also a combination Donut/Coffee Shop in the middle, for reasons beyond me.

[@JeffReeves]

I'm so glad you used a clip of Starship Troopers. Such a classic film. Instantly brings me back to the 90s.

[@MeriemM94]

The teletubbies ... hahah. Great vid again !

[@BelindaCarr]

Thanks! :)

[@GigaBoost]

THE ALGORITHM presented me one of your videos this morning, and I've been watching your content all day. Great stuff! Extreme kudos for listing your sources in the description 🙏🙏

[@christopherstube9473]

Great presentation and critique Ms. Carr. I had noticed that they were out of proportion with the city scape, but your observations and intercuts were very instructive.

[@scottmeyer6166]

I have visited. The environmental conditions inside are pleasant. It is not oppressively humid, and definitely not too much to prevent work. It's a pleasant space, though a little on the small side in terms of a conservatory. The AstroTurf next door is not a contradiction. Many playfields in the city are being converted to this, because it does not require water or fertilizer or other chemicals, and is more durable and does not get torn up or made muddy by heavy use. It is also a popular substrate for dogs to run around because it can be hosed down without any waste left behind.

[@MissCathexis]

Thanks for the insight from someone who’s been there.

[@charlesramsey7847]

@@MissCathexis I have been there multiple times. Once when it was under construction and once when finished. Its a beautiful building that gets a lot of hate. I feel as if people think its made to hold meetings and a ton of people doing work. Its not. Its more of a place employees can go to take a break and maybe get a little work done.

[@jimurrata6785]

Belinda, have you done a piece on geodesic domes? Or maybe a deep dive into all of Buckminster Fuller's housing ideas: fog showers, modular stainless bathrooms, bricked poop?

[@MrThomasHart]

You: _It is beautiful, but it makes no sense_ Jeff Bezos: _cackling Lex Luthor laugh_

[@florinadrian5174]

Wait, what? Was she talking about the rocket?

[@ticler]

Bezos didn't fly over Macho Grande.

[@mm345-0]

Having worked in the spheres quite a bit when I was there; I'd disagree re: the temperature/humidity. It was super comfortable and you definitely felt refreshed after having worked there. The walking meetings don't require laptops - does anyone do that? I've been in plenty of meetings where it's just a conversation. There are also plenty of seating areas. To the tourist comment - it's a normal Amazon building, so visitors are highly restricted and only allowed during certain times/days anyways.

[@ychto]

Had lunch there quite a few times (including during my on-site interview). Was actually quite comfy in there. Of course when I worked there we had a much different name for the place ...

[@wearemilesfromnowhere4630]

Great editing and funny. I mention in your tree inside a house video. I believe that the 55 foot tree will atrophy without some wind stresses on it. This was discovered in the Biosphere 2 project. Peace!

[@BelindaCarr]

Since its a mature tree, maybe it won't atrophy?

[@wearemilesfromnowhere4630]

@@BelindaCarr Hard to say with that one since it has many branches. The Biosphere trees were nearly that tall when they started snapping but they did not have the large trunks and branches. Given the idea of atrophy, it will most likely weaken it but possibly not to the point it would fail. You won't find me standing under it though. LOL

[@TheRozylass]

@@wearemilesfromnowhere4630 Interesting, hadn't even thought of trees atrophying from lack of stress. Makes sense.

[@currenciacurrencia1860]

I have been studying sea containers and geo domes for housing, storage and portable factories. You are doing a great job Belinda in your presentations. You go girl!

[@MannoMax]

Just out of curiosity, why would you need portable factories/how is that a sensible thing ? Like, I get mobile workshops, for repair jobs and such, but moving around an actual factory would surely be super expensive, and also just very laborious, not to mention having to interrupt production. Bc no matter what you make, you usually have some very big, very heavy machinery, whether that be a press or a big injection machine. And those take weeks to set up.

[@wintermutt9090]

Thank you for a very insightful assessment. I've enjoyed several of your commentaries and find your approach refreshing. I think it would be interesting if you applied your analytical mind to a somewhat older but very iconic and popular building - the Pompidou Centre in Paris. In any event, keep up the good work.

[@BelindaCarr]

The Pompidou! Yes, that would be a great topic. Thanks for the idea.

[@jkcrosby]

@@BelindaCarr love the pompidou!

[@EnbyFranziskaNagel]

@@jkcrosby I like it visually. But that the services are on the outside is a drawback cause they are not protected from the environment. If I remember correctly water pipes are a problem in winter because of the missing isolation. Turns out there was a reason why we generally bury services inside the walls.

[@pietvermeer7991]

What are your thoughts on the Eden Project in the UK by comparison?

[@YSLRD]

Great video. A bit off on the bugs, though. It's fully possible to have an interior bug free space. There are dozens of human friendly insecticides and plants dont require their presence. Pollination can be performed by hand or with carefully placed fans.

[@darklordboehm428]

The treadmill desk got me dying I can't imagine anyone being happy with that 😂😂😂

[@Carewolf]

Yeah, almost downvoted her for suggesting that unironically.

[@Primalxbeast]

I don't even understand how people walk and use their phones at the same time, but if KZbin is to be believed people sometimes fail at the walking part.

[@forstuffwow7145]

I like to have that tbh. Its great for someone who hate going outside lol

[@KeySnow]

@@Carewolf I think? that was partly ironic... like "at this point just put someone on a treadmill rather than a humid ass walking rink".

[@Pinko_Jess]

You movie meme game is incredible. So glad I subscriberd

[@BelindaCarr]

Thanks!!

[@jerwatson79]

You are never scared to ruffle some feathers, I love how you dont suger-coat your content. Keep up the good work!

[@lisakilmer2667]

This is very interesting. The first time I saw photos of the Spheres, I thought it must be like working inside an oven, and also it must be terribly echo-filled. It certainly appears that the management who chose that design were enticed by the "uniqueness" factor, rather than practicality.

[@scratchpad7954]

I agree. As a sufferer of X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (I agree, it is quite a mouthful), I physically recoiled at the idea of working in those spaces, aesthetic enhancement aside. Being so close to the ocean, Seattle naturally has a high humidity (currently 76% as of 8:00 PM on Saturday, January 7, 2021). Then, you combine that level of humidity with the heat of a greenhouse, and you have a recipe for heat stroke.

[@user-bc7cb8uu7e]

@@scratchpad7954 I think it's actually quite nice. I enjoy visiting the spheres from time to time, but I admittedlty don't really work there

[@zz0rr]

2:20 the water holding capacity of air goes up with temperature. 75F 60% humidity during the day is likely more water in the air than 85% at night (not sure of night temperature, let's say it's 55F, then it would be somewhat more). so instead of having to lower the humidity during the day they likely have to add it with mist as it comes up to temperature each day. the humidity will then be forced out at night with condensation on the glass as it cools. they may even have to run air conditioning at night to get it below 100% humidity as it cools as it would trend to 100% (so, the stress on the dehumidification system comes at night, not during the day). this is ordinary for any greenhouse. the major hvac cost is heating, not humidity control. even if they did have some cost for humidity control, it's cheaper than heat anyway. it's somewhat possible that the thermal mass inside the house plus the heating from the sun will cover a lot of their heating requirements, it's kind of in an urban canyon, so who knows

[@karthikkarthu5899]

Michael awesome reply you nailed it. I like her videos but this one is very vague. some understanding of fluids dynamics would be appreciated.

[@bar9092]

Actually, where I work humidity is controlled by turning on the air conditioner and driving the water out of the air. In California, cooling is actually more expensive than heating, as we're charged much more for electricity than natural gas. And of course, later there's the damage from rust and dry rot to deal with due to condensation. But hey, pointing that out isn't in my job description, or so I'm told. I don't know obviously, but humidity control may be just as crude north of here.

[@billykuan]

Artificial grass has quite the artificial marketing scheme going on in America. The manufacturers of fake playing fields want cities and municipalities to buy their product to replace grass. There is an argument that the fake stuff is too hot and has playing issues according to European footballers. Most professional top players refuse to play on it but American manufactures don't tell you that. It's all about maintenance cost reductions, not the eventual replacement, heat or health.

[@scottjohnson5415]

Also, when playing soccer or American football, if you're running and fall, any exposed skin gets a terrible "rug burn" as your skin slides along that artificial turf.

[@jentomobi]

The AstroTurf in the play space is meant to be easy to clean when the dogs are playing there. Before CoVid, you would see people and their dogs out there everyday playing.

[@caleskenasy275]

Teletubbies?! I'm dying 🤣🤣. Seriously, though, the balanced no nonsense opinion is inspiring

[@mrchaos239]

I do actually see some benefit, its’ improvement may be marred with problems, but I’ve worked jobs that have literally 0 natural light and everything is industrial and designed for some hypothetical machine-man on an assembly line, And while I understand pragmatism and utilitarianism in a workspace, I also appreciate when the space is designed for the benefit of the worker and the nature of the space, and not the productive value of the space. Humans are far from machines and I really see value in ensuring that our two worlds and workspaces don’t intercede on each other. It’s an odd perspective perhaps, but I think the space is trying to skirt the line of habitability and productivity; maybe functionally it does this poorly, but conceptually.... I think that is another story altogether. I’m just the son of an architect, so I’m not an expert, I just play one in the comment section, feel free to disagree vehemently.

[@Onecave]

Belinda, congratulations for your content. I absolutely appreciate enjoy the simplicity of how you explain facts.

[@elainejohnson2836]

I'm not an architect, but I do admire architecture. There are many things in buildings and homes, where even the unskilled scratch their heads. I have visited Moody Gardens in Galveston , Texas. The rainforest part was amazing for about 10 minutes. Then I was finding it hard to breathe. I guess the designer didn't take a field trip to visit an existing indoor rainforest. I really enjoy your videos. Kudos for the Airplane footage. Loved it!

[@JezabelleAsa]

I can't imagine trying to work in that environment. Yes, the plants are beautiful, I love that, but my brain shuts off at 70 degrees

[@andrewflanders262]

70° is like regular indoor temperature. The temperature in most public places.

[@JezabelleAsa]

@@andrewflanders262 Yes

[@ryujinzzz6050]

“hot and humid. 75 degrees 60% humidity.” Bruh that’s like heaven for us in SEA lol

[@shadowsoulless6227]

Hot? In Florida 75° and 80% humidity is the weather you go out and have fun in XD

[@BichaelStevens]

Okay cool now go talk to Canadians

[@drewjaqua2905]

But the spheres have all the feelz of "green" and "sustainable" and "environmentally conscious", so they're helping to raise awareness for the rest of us carbon dioxide producing losers and they'll probably get some hefty carbon tax breaks when the time comes. (thanks for another great video)

[@goyonman9655]

Superficiality

[@BichaelStevens]

I pledge not to spill 100s of millions of barrels of oil every year

[@carolinawren3594]

You might follow up with a review of 'the Vessel' at Hudson Yards in New York

[@viktoriag.6961]

I was in Seattle 2 years ago and the spheres were closed to the public. You can get inside only if you have a reservation at their restaurant

[@Mayakran]

Tbh, I’d like to see some of the native trees and plants. We have beautiful local flora in the Pacific Northwest. Why not showcase it?

[@livewellwitheds6885]

love: -all the plants -green wall -the nest thing of wood hate: -use of endangered plants -working in a SAUNA -rubi tree why is it even iconic other then how it was dropped in -the whole walking is the best thinking thing what about disabled people who walk slow are we just not good? also did they use universal design [fully accessible] because that's what really helps me participate and work -the look of the metal supports seems so messy to me -astroturf

[@BryanTorok]

At about 2:30, you obviously don't understand how relative humidity works. Relative humidity is the percentage of water the air can carry before the water starts condensing out of the air as fog, dew, or rain. At higher temps the air can carry more water and at lower temps it can carry less water. If the amount of water/moisture in the air remains constant and the temperature drops, like at night time, that relative humidity will naturally go up. During the day, as temperature naturally rises, the relative humidity decreases. There is no extra work needed by the HVAC to accomplish this.

[@bluwasabi7635]

The spheres seem like a missed oportunity to make a really cool multi-level adult playground

[@BlueRidgeParkway]

At 2:09 I fell in love with your sense of humor (I was already smitten with all your engineering talk ;-) Cheers!

[@billysgeo]

Can you please add also metric annotations for your dimensions? 🙏 thanks

[@sim.frischh9781]

Those Spheres are another case of "rich people doing weird things", from my perspective.

[@rafaelbenitez8706]

Are there any plant-based constructions? I saw a report that somewhere in the amazon the village people use the branches of the living trees as bridges. Has anyone tried to use that concept to build a home or building?

[@reggaespiritdance]

Just found your channel, really liking the content and the thoughtfulness behind your words.

[@thorr18BEM]

I haven't been but I think they seem nice, especially compared to other break-rooms I've been in.

[@behramcooper3691]

If you get direct sunlight through your office window, you draw the shade. What do you do in one of these spheres?

[@Babuwoot]

I admire the ingenuity that many designers are trying to have now, but honestly they just don't feel that well thought out most of the time. In the case of the spheres, why would you remove plant species that are near extinction from their natural environment to put them into a corporate work office, that hardly even functions as on office because of the conditions required for the plant species. It just doesn't make sense from any standpoint.

[@wintermoon244]

What about singapore cloud forest dome? Its breeze inside....

[@NelsonBrown]

Very good observations. I haven't been to Seattle, but those scenes remind me of the Westin Hotel in Kansas City, which has a sort of mini rainforest in the atrium. I think the waterfalls splash over natural limestone rocks that the building is built around. I always wondered what sort of artificial interventions were needed to keep it going, but the hotel has been there since the 1970s. I used to work in the same complex (Crown Center) and I did take walks to that micro tropical retreat for work breaks. I think the "studies" are onto something, but maybe it's not easy to capture in requirements or quantity the benefits.

[@VictorMPR]

I love your videos. They are informative and even funny when you add the movie clips here and there. I would have looked at these spheres and thought they were fantastic and “green” and “how come these are not everywhere?!” Well now I know...

[@RvB_Fan_since_8]

Have you been to the spheres yet? Please make another video and share!

[@MajorVanceAstro]

Again, another enlightening and informative video. I’m slowly falling in love with you!

[@amandadonegan2137]

Subscribed...a logical sensible person. Need this in my life!

[@user-ed7dy1mq9u]

I’ve been there. It was comfortable, not hot or humid, especially coming from the cold Seattle outside. I would love to work there to have such a nice place to walk or sit occasionally.

[@Vesirinkeli]

Hello I really like your videos, competence on a higher level, but… I hope you know that the rest of the planet except US and only few little countries no one really understand what is inch feet and Fahrenheit. Could you please if you provide some information also provide it in the metric system? Sense science language is metric. Thank you

[@YSLRD]

Such accomplished scientists should be able to easily perform the conversion. We primitive folks manage to perform the reverse one.

[@alexearich2253]

Probably the best reference to "Airplane!" I have seen in a while!

[@minteymouse8045]

Your channel is so interesting! I’m glad I came across it.

[@seanmcdonald5859]

"Hi Bob, here is your Walking Desk . . . .it has a treadmill so now you can walk and work hahahaha . . . . . . . WOW, they are light too . . .i could tell that by how easily you threw it through that window. . . . ."

[@vacri54]

Next up on this channel: Treadmill desks are bad because they consume electricity, why not just jog on the spot in a dark room?

[@zipzap2322]

Thanks Belinda for another interestingvid. I wonder if you can make video about premade builder of dome house to cold and warm climates. Thanks

[@georgearway33]

That crane operator who put the giant tree in there was pretty awesome.

[@andrewk.1310]

Choice Starship Troopers references has earned you a subscriber :)

[@7urbine]

Awesome video! Do have to admit they at least look cool... they remind me of the biodome in the Moon Map on Black Ops 3

[@hueyhulk954]

Thank you for shedding light on the truth. People are so trendy

[@robertocorradi7571]

Once again . . . agreed with every point you made . . . I would , however , add one more . To me it seems like one very expensive and impracticable vanity project .

[@jvandervyver]

I work for Amazon, but not in Seattle. Whenever I visit Seattle however, I do take lunches there every so often. Most employees I see in the spheres seem to take lunches there also, apposed to work. I live in South Africa, grew up in a pretty hot region of the country and now live in Cape Town which is moderately humid year round. Compared to where I grew up and live now, I would rate the spheres as a bit too humid and warm to stay in for too long, personally. But I should note that the contrast between the outdoor temperature and the inside of the spheres may be what causes the discomfort.

[@kennethread5637]

You are spot on as always I could listen to your studies for hours great point of view

[@abbaszaidi8371]

Amazing video. Well presented and critiqued with great video inserts (anything with Ted Striker, Teletubbies or Starship Troopers is quality). My own study at home is our conservatory. Despite insulating the roof it can be a real sweat box in the summer and not conducive to inspiring thoughts

[@kevinbyrne4538]

Amazon's Spheres remind me of the Kresge auditorium at MIT (Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA). The auditorium is a section of a sphere. The sphere has been slowly spreading outwards as it settles downwards. I expect that the Spheres windows will become moldy and will leak. Transplanting the tropics to just south of Canada isn't very practical.

[@salemfoster1709]

I applaud what you're doing. As you're no doubt aware though, HONESTY carries a price tag these days. I pray you're able to maintain this level of it in perpetuity :)

[@weiweiweiwei1109]

Great video and review. I'd love your thoughts on the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention center with it's plants, water falls and so on. Keep up the great work.

[@wendellg1]

There are a set of these in Milwaukee Wisconsin that have been there forever.

[@keithtaylor5156]

Who does your inserted clips? They are brilliant. Teletubbies and Starship troopers!

[@BainesMkII]

75 degrees with 60% humidity sounds like nice outdoor weather. You have to be careful about temperature and humidity complaints, because what is considered "extreme" in one part of the US can be "mild" or even "pleasant" in another part of the US. Where I live, 60% is *low* humidity, and for nearly half the year we may wish for days that were only 75 degrees.

[@travcollier]

The relative humidity will naturally drop as they warm up in the morning (and increase as they cool a bit in the evening.) Shouldn't be too much work for the HVAC as long as the structure is well insulated. Now working in those conditions... Not so great. And it will wreck a lot of electronics.

[@pbrinton]

I would be curious to get your reaction to the Eden Project in Cornwall, England. I visited there in 2006 and was very impressed, and it seems to have developed since then. It is intended as a nature space rather than a work space with nature added, so it is a different category than this. But as an engineering project it is remarkable. One of the features at the entry building was a movie about the development of the idea and the construction, which for me was one of the best parts!

[@derphyn]

I imagine Victor Papanek, author of "Design for the Real World" (published in the early 1970's) would have been very pleased with your exposition. Thank you.

[@paulbradford6475]

The spheres sound similar-though smaller- in their maintenance problems to the Biosphere II in Arizona.

[@GrantSR]

Why would you even think that those were anything more than status signaling. The more expensive it is to maintain the environment the more status at signals.

[@sanyojmest7509]

So true, it doesn't make too much sense to make a tropical biosphere workplace in Seattle, because it can never be a workplace, like you can't live or work in a greenhouse, your office can abut a greenhouse with views of the exotic greenery, but it is sheer lunacy to go inside the greenhouse and work. I live in Goa where the average temperatures are around 32 degrees Celsius

[@dsdonovan]

Great observations. I'm curious to learn more about the unusual supporting structures and if it was something new in construction techniques.

[@jennifermenth-pavel1260]

Your videos are addictive, there I said it and I meant it, kudos!!! You make being an exceptional teacher look easy and you make a video jam packed with useful information enjoyable to watch! Thank you for sharing and God bless. ❤😊

[@Muhammad_Kamal]

Great channel Belinda, keep up the good work.

[@shawncola123]

I know it’s off topic, but your voice and manners are so charming, Belinda. So charming!!!!

[@themulti-coloredcanary5795]

I just love your content! Thank you for all the time and effort you put into everything

[@MrBebopChamploo]

I’ve lived near Seattle almost 10 years I never even knew these things existed

[@CeeTee380]

Really?!?! They’ve been all over the news, media, socials, and politicians lips way before during and sometimes after construction. How do you miss that if you live near Seattle?

[@MrBebopChamploo]

@@CeeTee380 Well it could be that I saw headlines at one point and just ignored/forgot about it because on the list of problems I have with Amazon these structures aren't really high. But I also don't read/watch local news, and am not very active on social media (I don't use Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram). I pay attention to politics but I don't vote in King County so I don't pay as much attention to issues local to it (I'm in Thurston County). Now that I think about it, though, one of my sisters actually works for Amazon in Seattle and she's never mentioned these buildings to me either so... idk maybe I've been living under the proverbial rock haha

[@CeeTee380]

@@MrBebopChamploo can’t say I blame you for staying off the socials. It’s all brain garbage anyway. I try to keep up with the local news but there’s a lot noise and chaos there too. Say, you looking forward to the live action bebop?

[@MrBebopChamploo]

@@CeeTee380 Oh shit I forgot about that, I've heard rumors/news about movies (there was supposedly going to be a movie with Keanu Reeves at one point) or shows on and off for years with nothing ever happening, so I kind of stopped paying attention so I wouldn't get my hopes dashed. I don't know much about the show that's coming out but I'll probably try to go into it like it's its own thing. I would have been stoked if this were like 15 years ago, but there have since been plenty of terrible live action anime adaptations so I'm not holding my breath, but if it turns out to be good then I'll be pleasantly surprised.

[@bhing1483]

I'm curious how they are feeding the rat eating plants I saw in there. I didn't think they even grew outside the elevation they were raised in.