MUSE Design Awards: Data Center +

Located on a railroad abandoned since 1874 in Philadelphia, this data center is designed to engage with the surrounding community. It serves not only as a data center but also as a community and education center, as well as a forest park. Considering the linear site and vegetation reservation, a modular design strategy is adopted, utilizing existing constructions.

From an urban context, the project focuses on integrating the data center program with community activities, historical context, and bioclimatic architecture. First, the layout of modules along the viaduct is oriented according to wind direction to cool down servers in summer. Second, the heat from servers is utilized to create winter gardens, achieving thermal comfort in winter. Lastly, organizing circulation facilitates the integration of new and existing programs to create “Data Center Plus Park”.

There are three types of units designed to accommodate different needs in the program and site conditions. The project employs a water curtain and natural ventilation, created by a solar chimney, to cool the modules in summer and reuse the heat produced by servers to warm offices in winter. A brick jali, made from recycled materials from the site, is used as an envelope to control wind speed and reduce solar heat gain.