Surrounded by a more friendly security alternative: a moat (instead of tall metal fencing)
by Benthem Crouwel Architects
"Security is a top priority for data centres – that usually means tall metal fencing. But at this science park, the 12-storey AM4 tower and its squatter sister building AM3 are surrounded by a more friendly alternative: a moat," said Dowdy.
"The taller building is clad in triangular aluminium strips, which are black on one side and silver on the other, and become narrower at the top – creating an optical illusion that makes the tower look slimmer and gives it a more human scale."
The building poetically mirrors physical printed information being superseded by the internet.
by Grimshaw
"Known to architecture fans as the Financial Times Printworks, this high-tech building designed by Grimshaw in the late 1980s became a data centre after the printworks relocated," said Ravenscroft.
"Perhaps London's most aesthetically pleasing data centre, the building poetically mirrors physical printed information being superseded by the internet."
The world's first high-rise data centre when it completes in 2023
Photo: courtesy of Schneider+Schumacher
by Schneider+Schumacher
"At 16 storeys, this will be the world's first high-rise data centre when it completes in 2023, according to the architects," said Dowdy.
"The cladding has a fancy design, whose movable elements reflect the sunlight. The pattern shows the binary code of the universal number Pi (π), reflecting the building's computational theme."
Described by its operators as 'Europe's most advanced data centre
Photo: Tom Ravenscroft
Nicholas Webb Architects
"One of London's newest facilities, this multi-storey building in east London is described by its operators as 'Europe's most advanced data centre'," said Ravenscroft.
"The 62-metre-high building occupies a prominent site at the end of a major road into London and is covered in an electronic circuit board pattern to give a hint at its purpose."
These handsome low-slung buildings are positioned so that the cool air that flows from the mountain's crevices passes through the building...
Photo: Naver
by Kengo Kuma and DMP
"Sitting at the foot of Mount Gubong, these handsome low-slung buildings designed by Kengo Kuma and DMP are positioned so that the cool air that flows from the mountain's crevices passes through the building, and naturally cools the servers," said Dowdy.
"The building is very wide, giving it a big surface area that is exposed to wind – another cooling technique. Meanwhile, sunshade louvres block direct sunlight and glare to maximize cooling efficiency."
Hidden in plain sight in Angel, London. Its 150-metre-long original 1950s brick facade disguises the presence of a data centre
Photo: Tom Ravenscroft
"Hidden in plain sight in Angel, London, this large data centre is located in the former Gordon's Gin distillery," said Ravenscroft.
"On the street side its 150-metre-long original 1950s brick facade disguises the presence of a data centre, but at the rear, the mechanics and cooling systems needed to operate the data centre are clearly visible."
When this pair is completed in 2024, they will mostly be viewed from a distance
by Scott Brownrigg
"When this pair is completed in 2024, they will mostly be viewed from a distance, their curves acting as a welcome contrast to the neighbouring boxy warehouses," said Dowdy.
"The facades' outer layer will comprise horizontal bands of metal, which will wrap around the corners of the buildings. On one side, a living wall will soften their appearance still further."
Each structure has the same figure-eight shape, which symbolises infinity and wealth for the client.
by HENN
The data centre on this R&D site is relatively small; it serves only this campus and so has a more human scale than the giant hyperscale data centres," said Dowdy.
"The R&D site comprises six free-standing pavilions in a landscape of man-made hills, surrounding a large lake. Clad in anodized aluminium, the data centres and its neighbours reflect the landscape and sky," she continued.
"One side of each building is lifted to allow for direct access to the inner courtyards from the surrounding park."