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| dc.contributor.author | Marcantonio, Philip | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2022-05-16T15:30:14Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2022-05-16T15:30:14Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2022-05-16 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10429/2325 | |
| dc.description | Data centers are inherently unrecognizable, yet are composed of complicated systems that advise and alter our perception of the modern world. Deemed critical infrastructure, these facilities are primarily composed of computer systems, mechanical hardware, telecommunication and data storage equipment, as well as cooling systems. This equipment connects, processes and provides storage for the several billions of people and entities around the world. However, the science behind these facilities outside of engineering and computer science are far from what the public knows. Rather the visual appearance or architecture is the most approachable form of its existence. Typically data centers are sited in remote areas, conveniently away from the public and built using big box store rhetoric. These facilities are especially lauded for their consumption of resources, such as electricity and water. Yet one of the least talked about concepts pertaining to these facilities is the data itself. Specifically how it is structured and the historical significance which led to the creation of a new building type. The concept behind large scale facilities housing computer equipment goes all the way back to the origin of the computer itself. Typically forgotten about, yet having similar origins of being born in a rather large room itself. Presently, it is known that eventually data will become too burdensome to handle. Storage technology as well as its volume will soon overcome the physical hardware capacities. Technically speaking the data itself will soon outpace the material which stores it. When considering this, it is important to consider questions while on this journey in understanding the volume of data is its relevance to today’s time and also its scalability as a network. What might different volumes look like? Can we predict new volume techniques? Can volume be used in a new and novel way? Limitations to this thesis is the very nature of the topic. Data centers are highly technical buildings that require a considerable knowledge in engineering and sciences. It is a building type that closely follows this dichotomy and therefore it is hard to justify what might eventually lead to advancements in storage and connectivity. Therefore critiques could be said that the research could be limited in scope and approach. However, using policies and theoretical frameworks of understanding on how data might be viewed at the individual level. It is hard to justify what the future might hold in terms of advancements in technology and what data might mean in the future. It is an ever advancing field which centers itself around supply and demand. Given that there are numerous ways to approach this typology in the lens of ecological, scientific as well as political metrics. There are other practitioners working on these ideas and the vastness of this field limits the amount of time and study to the field. Therefore, I had to limit myself to focusing on what volume truly means in terms of its size and amount of data. The main objective of this thesis is to spur a conversation that can span the ever expanding development of data, specifically what data means at the individual level and how we use it, store it, and abuse it. Not one person can find a unanimous conclusion to these issues and stances. However, this conversation can start to develop outside of the discipline of architecture and engineering. | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | Throughout the turn of the 20th century humanity saw a shift in its way of life as technology evolved ever so rapidly. This technological integration, having lasted for already over a half of a century, has crossed disciplinary lines and has surfaced in the field of architecture as an issue of locating both near and far from humans as well as consumption of resources. In this present moment Data Centers are predicted to become an even more integral part of human life as the need for increased digital storage capacity will potentially outweigh the current demand. This thesis draws on the collective knowledge of what makes Data Centers run as well as special topics surrounding the materials in which it stores, and potential novel adaptations to a new model of data storage. In order to accomplish these goals, there is a need to look outside the current deployed means and methods for storage. Through this study new emerging ideas can be discovered by using the specific byproducts of digital storage to which can then facilitate a new model of small scale deployed data centers, which then can offset the need for additional storage needs and spur additional benefits. | en_US |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
| dc.subject | Datacenters | en_US |
| dc.subject | Internet | en_US |
| dc.subject | Data | en_US |
| dc.subject | Technology | en_US |
| dc.subject | Typology | en_US |
| dc.title | Data Centers | en_US |
| dc.title.alternative | Archetype or a Typology, Stories of a Digital Time | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
