Located in Toronto’s historic Distillery District, this five-storey data centre responds to the rich context of clay brick architecture through its colourful and textured skin. Clad in a combination of smooth and ribbed porcelain panels set on a clear glass base, the patterned façades are designed to pay homage to computer “punch card” technology, an early form of data processing.
The building houses 13,000 m² of “white space” for IT equipment, with the ground floor dedicated to building systems and tenant offices. Drawing on the firm’s understanding of high security building design, WZMH met the client’s requirements for shipping, receiving, and visitor entry procedures and adjacencies.
A testament to a close working relationship with the developer, City planners, and Waterfront Toronto, WZMH was able to quickly achieve municipal approvals and variances.