The architecture of data centres

How can data centres be integrated into the urban fabric? This is the question posed by Roca’s autumn exhibition ‘Power House’, on show in their London gallery from 3 November – 28 February.

The exhibition showcases designs by architecture practices around the globe, from vast complexes in remote locations, to buildings in urban centres – such as schneider+schumacher’s design for Qianhai Telecommunication Center, currently under construction in Shenzhen China, and destined to be the first high-rise data centre in the world. The project also demonstrates how data centres can be successfully woven into the urban landscape.

According to Power House curator, Clare Dowdy: “Data centres power modern life and yet they’re rarely considered as pieces of architecture. But as they mushroom across the globe, it’s time we thought of data centres as a peculiar, and peculiarly challenging, new building typology.”

The programme accompanying the exhibition starts with a discussion on this topic at 18.30 on the opening day, led by Dezeen editor Tom Ravenscroft. More info at www.rocalondongallery.com