The Architecture of Data Storage

Situated at Front and Parliament, the site of the Waterfront Data Centre is a gateway to the Toronto Waterfront and Distillery district.  Traditionally Data centers have been designed as blank boxes given the fact there is little to no requirements for fenestrations.  We chose to capitalize on the minimal window requirement through a more sculptural approach to the building form. By referencing the existing context of distillery district’s industrial history and architecture, we cladded the building with vibrant copper panels to celebrate this building as a productive machine and infrastructure backbone to the city.  The sculpted folds of the façade are meant to serve as a potent backdrop to the proposed park across the street.