Datenspeichergebaude: Im Spannungsfeld zwischen gesellschaftlicher Bedeutung und raumlicher Prasenzlosigkeit

Katharina J. Neubauer has visited Google and Facebook's data centers in Europe and presents an architectural and spatial discussion of their buildings, which are of immense societal importance but are not intended to be viewed or understood. She has recorded them through photographs and drawings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2022
Publisher: JOVIS Verlag

Digital data's structural manifestations often remain shrouded in secrecy, making it difficult to understand their significance and impact on society. Katharina J. Neubauer, a researcher, has visited all of Google and Facebook's data centers in Europe and has presented an architectural and spatial discussion of these buildings. By directly confronting the structures, Neubauer draws attention to their existence, size, and inconspicuousness. These buildings are of enormous societal importance, yet they are not intended to be viewed or understood. However, Neubauer has done so here, capturing their essence through photographs and drawings.

The data centers of Google and Facebook are located in various European countries, including Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. These centers are designed to house and process vast amounts of digital data, including user data, search queries, and social media posts. The buildings are typically large and imposing, with high-tech equipment and infrastructure.

One of the key architectural features of these data centers is their size. They are designed to be large enough to accommodate the growing demand for digital data storage and processing. This means that they require a significant amount of land, energy, and resources to operate. The buildings are often located in industrial areas, which can have negative environmental impacts, such as air pollution and noise.

Despite their size, data centers are not always visible to the public. They are often hidden behind fences and security gates, and their employees are required to wear security uniforms and follow strict security protocols. This can make it difficult for researchers and journalists to access the information stored in these centers.

However, Neubauer has managed to gain access to these data centers and has documented their architecture and spatial layout. She has photographed the buildings from various angles and has drawn detailed drawings of their interior and exterior. These images and drawings provide a unique insight into the workings of these data centers and the impact they have on society.

One of the most striking features of these data centers is their design. They are designed to be highly efficient and reliable, with a focus on reducing energy consumption and maximizing processing speed. This is achieved through the use of advanced cooling systems, high-performance servers, and energy-efficient lighting.

The buildings are also designed to be secure. They are equipped with a range of security measures, including surveillance cameras, security guards, and access control systems. These measures are designed to prevent unauthorized access to the data stored in the centers and to protect the employees who work there.

However, the security measures at these data centers can also have negative consequences. For example, the use of surveillance cameras can be intrusive and can violate the privacy of individuals. The use of security guards can also create a sense of fear and intimidation among employees.

In addition to their architectural and spatial features, data centers also have a significant impact on the environment. They require a significant amount of energy to operate, and this energy is often generated from fossil fuels. This can contribute to climate change and other environmental problems.

To address these environmental concerns, data centers are increasingly turning to renewable energy sources. For example, Google has announced that it will be using 100% renewable energy to power its data centers by 2030. Facebook has also announced that it will be using 100% renewable energy to power its data centers by 2020.

However, the transition to renewable energy sources can be challenging. It requires a significant investment in infrastructure and technology, and it can also have negative impacts on the local economy. For example, the construction of renewable energy infrastructure can require the displacement of local residents and the destruction of natural habitats.

Despite these challenges, data centers are still an important part of the digital economy. They provide a platform for businesses and individuals to store and process their digital data, and they play a critical role in the development of new technologies. However, it is important to ensure that these centers are operated in a responsible and sustainable manner.

In conclusion, the structural manifestations of digital data usually remain shrouded in secrecy. Katharina J. Neubauer has visited all of Google and Facebook's data centers in Europe and has presented an architectural and spatial discussion of these buildings. By directly confronting the structures, Neubauer draws attention to their existence, size, and inconspicuousness. These buildings are of enormous societal importance, yet they are not intended to be viewed or understood. However, Neubauer has done so here, capturing their essence through photographs and drawings.

The data centers of Google and Facebook are located in various European countries and are designed to house and process vast amounts of digital data. They are typically large and imposing, with high-tech equipment and infrastructure. Despite their size, data centers are not always visible to the public and are often hidden behind fences and security gates. Neubauer has managed to gain access to these data centers and has documented their architecture and spatial layout.

One of the most striking features of these data centers is their design. They are designed to be highly efficient and reliable, with a focus on reducing energy consumption and maximizing processing speed. They are also designed to be secure, with a range of security measures in place. However, the security measures at these data centers can also have negative consequences, such as the use of surveillance cameras and security guards.

In addition to their architectural and spatial features, data centers also have a significant impact on the environment. They require a significant amount of energy to operate, and this energy is often generated from fossil fuels. To address these environmental concerns, data centers are increasingly turning to renewable energy sources. However, the transition to renewable energy sources can be challenging and can have negative impacts on the local economy.

It is important to ensure that data centers are operated in a responsible and sustainable manner. This requires a significant investment in infrastructure and technology, and it requires a commitment to reducing energy consumption and minimizing environmental impact. By doing so, we can help to ensure that the digital economy continues to grow in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Weight: 932g
Dimension: 220 x 165 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783868597370