Data centres are the new cathedrals of the digital age: immense, silent places that safeguard the continuous flow of our connected lives.
Often hidden behind anonymous facades, these spaces defined by vast technological power are nonetheless changing their appearance. More and more, data center infrastructures are becoming bold works of architecture, symbols of innovation, energy efficiency, and aesthetic vision.
1 – GEN02, Gland
One of the most imposing data centers is the SH2 Data Centre by Safe Host, located in Gland, in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, and designed by Webuild. Created to host the services of major cloud providers, this data centre stands out for its modern structure and for its energy-efficient solutions.
With redundant power supply and advanced cooling systems, the SH2 combines cutting-edge technology with functional design, embodying the idea of a data center that is not just a place for servers but an infrastructure built for the digital future.
2 – China Telecom Inner Mongolia Information Park, Inner Mongolia
The China Telecom Inner Mongolia Information Park, located in Hohhot in Inner Mongolia, is the biggest data center in the world in terms of physical size, covering more than 10.7 million square metres.
In addition to hosting thousands of servers, this data center infrastructure offers comprehensive cloud computing, big-data processing, and disaster-recovery services, becoming a true beating heart of China’s digital infrastructure.
3 – Switch SuperNAP, Nevada, USA
The Switch SuperNAP, the Las Vegas data center (Nevada), covers around 3.5 million square metres and is considered one of the most important colocation data centres in the world.
Switch data center hosts the servers of major companies and international organisations. It stands out for its advanced security measures and highly energy-efficient design, combining protection, performance, and innovation in one impressive complex.
4 – Pionen, Stockholm, Sweden
The Pionen Data Center in Stockholm has a unique history. Built as an atomic-bomb-proof bunker in 1943, it was transformed in 2008 by the Swedish internet provider Bahnhof.
Although located just a short walk from the city centre, its 1,100 square metres are hidden beneath 30 metres of granite, making it virtually invisible. Inside, the environment is surprisingly vibrant: fountains, greenhouses, simulated daylight, and a huge salt-water aquarium coexist with thousands of servers.
What’s more, this data center infrastructure is a shining example of energy efficiency. The heat produced is recycled into the city’s district-heating network, making Pionen one of the most environmentally friendly and fascinating data centres in the world.
5 – Pyramid Switch, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Probably unique in the world for its pyramid shape, this seven-storey data centre – two of which are underground – was inaugurated in 1989 by Steelcase as a research and development facility. After the economic crisis of 2009-10, the building passed into the hands of the Switch company, becoming one of its most iconic data center infrastructures.
Built of glass and granite, it houses a huge Foucault pendulum, allowing visitors to observe the Earth’s rotation as they move through a space that blends architecture, science, and advanced technology.
