Zumtobel Data Centre

This is a deceptive building especially when viewed in photographs without context. If you don't see the front door (the only indicator of scale on the whole structure) one tends to assume that it's about seven storeys high, for that is the number of levels shown in the outer layer of the double facade. In fact there are approximately two-and-a-half of these levels per floor and the building is smaller than you might think. The main computer centre is located in two basement floors, the upper of which just pokes out above ground. Above this are three floors of office space. Internally the core is linear in its arrangement, and set off centre. In the totally glazed double facade, the internal skin features openable windows. Externally the skin comprises of sheets of green tinted glass, set at a slight angle to the plane of the facade. Non of the sheets touch each other: A series of gaps allows ventilation of the interstitial space. The building is not air conditioned.