Equinix Datacenter AM4

PROTECTIVE PARADOX

Big but then again small, both slender and broad, divided yet connected – this paradox is located in Amsterdam: the Equinix AM4 computer centre, built by Benthem Crouwel Architects, is a 72-metre, thirteen-storey tower, with eight floors reserved exclusively for data servers. That is a lot of space for something that the human eye cannot see. While the size of each unit of numerical information has been decreasing and transmission growing faster, the volume of global data is experiencing rapid growth. This creates “swarm intelligence” a factor which underpins our modern world. Since the growing swarm needs space, large data centres are in demand worldwide. A difficult building task, because, on the one hand, these centres should be incorporated into predominately suburban zones, on the other, they must be sealed off from the environment in order to protect the data. The AM4 Tower is part of a compact building complex located on an artificial island. The canal surrounding the land offers the tower security and, at the same time, means it is rooted in the landscape. The island is part of Amsterdam Science Park and base for the University of Amsterdam’s various IT companies and IT start-ups. This is where 38% of all Dutch data movement is processed and data from all over Europe is collected. It may take a seven-hour car journey to reach Berlin; but for data it is only a question of fifty milliseconds. Although the data volume is not visible, its waste heat is tangible and useful. It provides heating for the neighbouring buildings.

The façade design is also a paradox of scale. It comprises vertical, ALUCOBOND® profiles folded into triangles. The sides of the triangles are coated in silver or black, depending on which direction they face, and both the length of the elements and their angle in relation to each other alter as they progress further up the tower. This has a stunning effect: different colours become apparent from different perspectives and the tower looks taller, its long, slender form is amplified. It is as though a skyscraper has been constructed on the canal itself, a paradoxical landmark which makes the invisible visible.