On Saturday, let's try to take a break from the working week and enjoy the beauty of the computer world. On November 21, I attended Lenovo Experience Forum, where Lenovo, among other things, boasted that she participated in the creation of the most beautiful data center in the world. On the presentation slide, I expected to see a typical footnote: 'The most beautiful, in the opinion of Uncle Vali and Aunt Avdotya from the fifth entrance.' But it turned out that there really is a rating where the most powerful data centers are judged by their beauty and then awarded. This case is called DCD Awards, or the award of the specialized magazine DatacenterDynamics.
The plot is clear. The magazine came up with its own award, and the producers fit in with passion. Still, the competitive aspect is in people's blood. Selected 10 of the most interesting centers from the competition + another one that I personally liked. And I will not say which center won the award, try to guess for yourself. I think this is not difficult.
Content
- NGD Newport
- AQL Salem Chapel
- Amsterdam data tower
- DigiPlex FETSUND
- Portugal Telecom Covilhã’s DC
- Switch pyramid
- Bahnhof Pionen
- Green Mountain DC1-Stavanger
- RagingWire Dallas TX1 Data Center
- MITA Data Center
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center
NGD Newport
This data center is located in Newport, Wales, UK. It is housed in a former semiconductor factory LG. The center was opened relatively recently, in 2010. It was initially small, but the demand for capacity was so great that the center quickly took over the entire building. It receives energy from the nearest hydroelectric power station, that is, it is also environmentally friendly.
From the outside, the building is, of course, nice, but nothing remarkable, in my opinion, is not in it.
But the center looks impressive inside. Agree, this is beautiful:
AQL Salem Chapel
Another Englishman on the list. The center is located in Leeds and is owned by AQL. Interestingly, the company decided to use the building of a former chapel built in 1791 as its headquarters. Although the chapel implies something small, here the building was designed for 1000 seats. It was decided to close the chapel in 2001, after which it was acquired by AQL.
The company used a basement for its data center and made a transparent roof. Now events are also held there.
Amsterdam data tower
This is a very futuristic building with a height of 72 meters (13 floors). Air and groundwater are used to cool the building. It reminded me of a computer case.
DigiPlex FETSUND
Scandinavia is said to be famous for its nature. I don’t know, I’ve never been. This is probably why the first data center appeared in Oslo, which does not pollute the environment, since they decided to use the cold climate of Norway for cooling. In fact, the center is a high-tech concrete box.
However, up close, the building is covered with a pattern. It turned out succinctly, but beautifully.
Portugal Telecom Covilhã’s DC
Another high-tech cube, but from Portugal. The construction of this center was approached with imagination. It stands in the center of the pond and is reflected in the water.
Switch pyramid
In Michigan, USA, there is a huge pyramid as high as a seven-story building. This is what the pyramid looks like from the outside:
And like this inside:
This wonder of the world belongs to Switch, a company specializing in the construction of data centers. This is not only a data center, but also an office campus, where employees work on the upper floors.
Bahnhof Pionen
This data center is located in Stockholm, Sweden. And it opened in a former nuclear bomb shelter, 30 meters underground. 30 meters is about the same as a 9-storey building. They say that from time to time tourists are taken there on excursions. If anyone was, please tell us in the comments.
Green Mountain DC1-Stavanger
Norway has its own underground data center. However, this one is not buried in the ground, but dug in the mountain. Thus, the surrounding landscape is not damaged, and those on the outside can only see nature, while inside the entire mountain is cut by tunnels.
RagingWire Dallas TX1 Data Center
In Texas, USA, there is a data center of a rather unusual type. It looks more like a work of modern art. However, it is said to be built to all sorts of the latest standards. Thanks to the window system, there is achieved ideal daylight, ideal ventilation and cooling systems and, in general, the most excellent working conditions for not only technology, but also people.
MITA Data Center
Another building, which also looks more like a work of art. This data center is located in Malta.
Barcelona Supercomputing Center
The supercomputing center in Barcelona opened in 2005 in a former church built in the 19th century. After the Civil War, the building was rebuilt and given to the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. It now houses the MareNostrum supercomputer.
Back to content >>>