Revelation: Machine Archipelago - Alternative Data Storage System in Caves

RE VE LATION : MAC H I N E ARC H I PE LAG O A LT E R NAT IVE DATA STOR AGE SYST E M IN CAVE S

“Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,” Revelation 6:15

THESIS REPORT SIU Wai Jong Jonathan 3035713369 Advisor: Valerie Portefaix The University of Hong Kong, Department of Architecture 2021

DE C LA R ATION

2021 MArch Thesis

I , Siu Wai Jong Jonathan declare to be the sole author of the work that will present at the final. Wherever I have used references as part of my submission, this has been accurately acknowledged, and reference and clearly shown in the drawings and the reports. I have read and understood the above statements and am fully aware that failure to do so would be considered as plagiarism by the Department, resulting in penalties as stipulated in the regulations of the University of Hong Kong.

I also declare that I have not used any paid or professional assistant in my submission. I will formally acknowledge any help from others on a printed document to be pinned to my examination panels and in the thesis report.

If I completed my entire project by myself, I will declare that fact in a printed document pinned to my examination panels and in my thesis report.

SIU WAI JONG JONATHAN Candidate’ s name in block letters

Signature 21/06/2021 Date

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fig. 0.1 Public Review, 2021

AC K N OWLE D GE M E N TS

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my thesis advisor Valérie PORTEFAIX for her continuous support and unfailing guidance throughout my thesis.

The thesis project would not be accomplished without supports from all the tutors and staff from the Department of Architecture, especially Print Shop for taking good care of all printouts for reviews.

2021 MArch Thesis

I would also like to thank my friends from 6/F - Alex CHEUNG, Gary FUNG, Circle HO, Clarence KU, Rachel LEE, Aikawa MOK, Kieran TSE and Tim YIM for an unforgettable studio year.

Also, thank you Yuki YEUNG for helping with the installation set up for Final Review.

Last but not least, thank you my family and Zoe CHOI for unconditional encouragement all the time.

Sincerely, Jonathan

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fig. 0.2 Thank you all, 2021

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TA B LE OF C ON TE N TS

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CHAPTER 1 - AGENDA

< BR IE F > 1.1 THESIS STATEMENT 1.2 ALLIES & CHALLENGERS 1.3 CASE STUDIES

CHAPTER 2 - CONTEXT

< WE LC OM E TO TH E JU N GLE > 2.1 GEOLOGY 2.2 CAVERN MASTER PLAN 2.3 NEXT DATA HUB

CHAPTER 3 - HYPOTHESIS

< N E W OR DE R > 20/21 MArch Thesis

3.1 METHOD & STRUCTURE 3.2 DATA STORAGE 3.3 EXCAVATION 3.4 LIFE CYCLE 3.5 ECOSYSTEM

CHAPTER 4 - DESIGN PROPOSAL

< MAC H IN E A RC H IPE LAG O > 4.1 PT. 1 4.2 PT. II 4.3 PT. III

CHAPTER 5 - APPENDIX

< R E C OR DS > 5.1 REVIEWS RESPONSES 5.2 OTHER IMAGES 5.3 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 5.4 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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REVELATION: MACHINE ARCHIPELAG O Big Data / Cavern / Ecosystem / Post-Anthropocene / Infrastructure

Like it or not, we are arriving at the early age of Post-Anthropocene, where technology and artificial intelligence now compute and construct most parts of our world in the absence of human beings, purely with mass digital data.

2021 MArch Thesis

Following over US$1.5 billion investment in mega data centres throughout 2020, including the new 1.2 million sq ft area in Tseung Kwan O1, the emergence of post-human architecture is gradually taking over the Hong Kong territory.

As a recurrent question, with no more reclamation and no more works in country parks, how could Hong Kong make more space for the need of new digital infrastructure?

In alignment with long term cavern development in Hong Kong, there is a great potential of accommodating future post-human architectures in caves, for its natural stability and return of land resources for other commercial and residential development.

This thesis responds to Hong Kong Government’s Long Term Cavern Development and speculates immediate future of data centre development among listed caves. The proposed alternative data storage system aims to connect caves as archipelago - shaping a new form of Machine Landscapes2 that challenges the machine-driven design solutions of post-human architecture.

1 Medcalf, Richard. “Tseung Kwan O emerges as one of region’s largest technology hubs as data centre investment takes off.” Hong Kong Buzz.

6 September 2019.

2 Machine Landscapes is a collection of spaces filled with autonomous natives, where we are each an architecture that has left us behind - Young, Liam. “Machine Landscapes: Architectures of the Post Anthropocene.” Architectural Design 89, no. 1 (2019): 10-11.

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fig. 0.3 Abstract, 2021

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CHAPTER 1 - AGENDA

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T HE S I S STATE M E N T

LO C AT ION OF PROJ E C T / hong kong Hong Kong is readily a test ground for reterritorializing urban fringe for the rise of data infrastructure.

Comprising 11 submarine optical fibre cable systems, 20 overland optical fibre cable systems and 11 satellite systems , Hong Kong has a sophisticated telecommunications system that is operating with steady provision of electricity, due to low risk of extreme climatic events3.

In response to global growing demand for data-related services, there is an opportunity for Hong Kong in expanding high-tier data centres and serving as a regional data centre hub.

U RGE NC Y

2021 MArch Thesis

/ next key issue Streaming videos, emails and feeds that we scroll on phones every day have shaped our lives dramatically, to an extent that mass data usage has defined the cultural significance of digital selves in this era.

The rise of data storage has however shown a latent shift in the role of architects, when they focus on building for data racks and machines, but no longer for human beings. As a comparison, data centre have gradually become the new form of museum to our age today - archiving the legacies of mankind, as well as projecting the future how cities grow. From studying with ancient churches, to modern libraries and museum, data centres should be the next dominant issue across the discipline.

Foreseeing the endless growth in data-related services, there is an urgency for the architectural discipline to challenge a new typology of data centres that brings back human values and senses in design process, avoid repeatedly building monoliths that are shaped solely by the technical specifications of machines and equipments.

On the other hand, recent research has shown that data centre electricity demand worldwide in 2019 was around 200 TWh, which equals around 1% of global electricity demands4. It is vital that these massive heat-producing data storage architectures are responsive to he immediate built environment, and also address measures in energy saving for the sake of ecosystem in the long run.

Data centre is now the key architectural typology that marks the era of technology and artificial intelligence. It is on equal importance for architects to challenge the binary condition of constructing the machine-filled spaces with and without human beings, and question how we perceive digital data through architectural experience.

3 Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, “Update on Data Centre Development in Hong Kong,” Innovation and Technology Bureau, May 2020, https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr19-20/english/panels/itb/papers/itbcb1-644-1-e.pdf.

4 Masanet, E. et al. (2020). Recalibrating global data center energy-use estimates, Science, 367(6481), 984-986, https://doi.org/10.1126/science. aba3758. / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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fig. 1.1

Hong Kong Jo Sun P1, 2021

source : Press Releases, HKSAR Government, 2016

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T HE S I S STATE M E N T

LONG T E R M HON G KON G C AVE RN PLANNING / Civil Engineering and Development Department X Planning Department To promote cavern development in a sustainable manner, the Civil Engineering and Development Department commenced a study on the “Long-term Strategy for Cavern Development” in September 2012. The Cavern Master Plans was developed as a systematic relocation programme for suitable Government facilities and potentials for accommodating new infrastructures5.

Listed out with a total of 48 potential locations for new caves, these sites are being examined with their geological properties and context within the neighbourhood. These identified new caves are found suitable for the purpose of infrastructure development, there are successful cases among HK Island and Lantau Island such as water reservoirs or sewage treatment works, as well as few caverns near New Territories and Kowloon that are under ongoing inspection.

In alignment with then Hong Kong Government planning, this thesis responds to the scheme by proposing development of data centres in few of the potential caves inspected, instead of adapting to existing war relics or abandoned caves that requires extensive research such as historical values and cavern suitability.

T RAN S I T ION S OF M AT E RI AL, T I ME AND SPACE 2021 MArch Thesis

/ grow and transform As a challenge to typical data centres that are fixed in one-off construction, this thesis proposes an alternative data storage system that expands in caves, allowing the flexibility to cater with the growing needs of mass data storage.

The process of rock excavation to an inhabitable space thus becomes another key of the this thesis. The relationship of how the transformation of excavated materials would shape spatial experience adds to the design values in celebrating the ambiguity between the natural and the built environment over a certain period of time.

This thesis would like to address the possibility of opening up the flexibility and growth data centre in terms of materiality, time and spatial experience, pushing the repeating boundaries of machine-driven design solutions.

MOR E T H A N POST-H U MAN ARC HI TECTURE / Machine Landscape This thesis discusses the proposition of the role of architects in designing machine-filled infrastructure, and unveils the obscure and high energy-consuming operation behind mass digital data storage. Through programmatic approach, to re-imagine the post-human architecture with human touch, opening up their access to public that are generally exclusive in the field.

New narratives of data centres are established through constant dialogues between the operation of machine and ecosystem.

1. Machine Operation | To challenge the machine-driven design parameters, propose new typology of data centre through introduction of cultural programs, bringing in human scales and interactions that are excluded in the industry.

2. Ecosystem | Be conscious to drawbacks while exploiting the resources of earth, adopt appropriate design approach and strategy with respect to restoration of surroundings. Pushing design parameters that also respond to immediate environment, such as temperature and humidity.

Through the proposed alternative data storage system, this thesis demonstrates the capability of data centres in serving more than just for machines, but also human beings and the environment.

5 Geotechnical Engineering Office, “Long-term Strategy for Cavern Development - Feasibility Study Executive Summary,” Civil Engineering & Development Department, December 2012, https://www.cavern.gov.hk/Sources/Leaflet%20of%20Cavern%20Development%20Draft01h_Page.pdf / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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fig. 1.2 Hong Kong Jo Sun P2, 2021

source : Long-term Strategy for Cavern Development, CEDD, 2012

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ALLIE S & C H AL LE N G E RS

ANN OTAT E D B I B LIO GRAPHY ALLI E S / Foucault, Michel, and Jay Miskowiec. "Of Other Spaces."

Diacritics 16, no. 1 (1986): 22-27. “ Fourth principle. Heterotopias are most often linked to slices in time-which is to say that they open onto what might be termed, for the sake of symmetry, heterochronies. The heterotopia begins to function at full capacity when men arrive at a sort of absolute break with their traditional time.” – Michel Focault

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Foucault gave principles in shaping a new perspective in understanding the complexity of a space. In one of the principles, Focault suggests the notion how heterotopia breaks normal flow of time by arranging and accumulating multiple times.

There are also comparable forms of time travel in the digital world through diving into archived images, videos, news and all types of information in any sort of media. This reflects how the storage of data works not only as an analysis and management of information in a linear way, but more as an expanding map mapping the crossing trajectory of time.

In parallel, addressing the transitions of materials and space throughout time is also a key part of the thesis. It is hoped that the outcome demonstrates different levels and scales of spatial experience in relation to the complex layers of time frame.

fig. 1.3 Of Other Spaces

6 Foucault, Michel, and Jay Miskowiec. "Of Other Spaces." Diacritics 16, no. 1 (1986): 22-27. / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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A NN OTAT E D B I B LIO GRAPH Y A L LI E S / Van der Velden, Daniel, and Kruk, Vinca. “Captives of the Cloud, Part III: All Tomorrow’s Clouds.” e-flux Journal 50, December 13, 2013.

“Those who argue that we need new tools to fix the broken internet are right, but they shouldn’t forget that we also need the right polities to use them. The spectacle of technology needs to be unleashed to further the ends of those who wish for a way of their own, rather than rule over others. People are real.

Clouds aren’t.” – Metahaven Discussing cases from monitoring ones’ personal behaviour, to failed states in digital infrastructure, the article investigates data sovereignty on both personal and national levels. Establishing close relationship within socio-political context, it is critical to address the issue of personal privacy concerns in Big Data.

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Alongside hardware design of network infrastructure, it is also important with software upgrades such as policies and guidelines. Ultimately, it is a challenge for authorities to value people before could data, and interdisciplinary to work on human-oriented planning when expanding digital infrastructure.

In alignment, this thesis project is treated as a response to local Government planning, opening up possibilities by providing alternative digital infrastructure development proposal, targeting a reflection on current planning policies and opportunities.

fig. 1.4 e-flux journal issue #50

7 Van der Velden, Daniel, and Kruk, Vinca. “Captives of the Cloud, Part III: All Tomorrow’s Clouds.” e-flux Journal 50, December 13, 2013.

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ALLIE S & C H AL LE N G E RS

ANN OTAT E D B I B LIO GRAPHY C H AL LE N G E R S / Young, Liam. "Machine Landscapes: Architectures of the Post-Anthropocene." Architectural Design 89, no. 1 (2019): 10-11.

“Spaces that were once bound by the proportions of the body, patterns and cycles of human living, the ambitions of beauty and comfort are now stripped bare and are hazardous zones of toxic air, high-speed robotics, sensor calibration markers, algorithmic complexity and machine scales as inhospitable as the most powerful engine room.” – Liam Young

2021 MArch Thesis

In the introduction, Young described forthright that the most dominant architectural typology in the era now are post-human architecture such as data centre or other machine- driven infrastructure, where spaces are empty of human beings.

There is a gradual shift in the architectural field that architects are no longer building for human beings, but for machines instead.

I agree with him that data centres have substantial cultural significance across disciplines. Yet, design solution towards such architecture should not be limited just by the specifications or other technical requirements of machinery.

Through this thesis, I would like to challenge modern data centre by proposing alternative design solutions that embrace human beings’ visions and values, which are commonly missing in post-human architecture.

fig. 1.5 Machine Landscapes: Architectures of the Post-Anthropocene

8 Young, Liam. "Machine Landscapes: Architectures of the Post-Anthropocene." Architectural Design 89, no. 1 (2019): 10-11. / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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A NN OTAT E D B I B LIO GRAPH Y C H A L LE NGE RS / May, John. 2019. Signal. Image. Architecture: (everything is already an image).

“We should find ways of becoming image— of establishing meaningful expression within imaging itself, all the while acknowledging that our images no longer mean anything at all.” – John May May argues that everything architects make now are images instead of drawings.

The distinction between lines drawn by hand and computers has marked the phenomenon that architects’ work no longer rooted in the practice of drawing, but with the gestures of clicking, touching, swiping, scrolling, selecting, filtering, cropping, resizing, zooming, channelizing, compressing, tagging and batching.

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I agree that architects should pay attention to the change in the way working and thinking through computation images.

Especially with the fast production, it is important to preserve the cultural, socio-political and human-driven sensibility when delivering architectural drawing through computations, so as to deliver meaningful.

Similarly, I would like to see this thesis as an opportunity in developing computer-generated perspectives as a design methodology, as well as a tool in narrating experience that relates to human senses, such as temperature, smell or sound.

fig. 1.6 Signal. Image. Architecture: (everything is already an image).

9 May, John. 2019. Signal. Image. Architecture: (everything is already an image).

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CA S E ST U DI E S

PR EC E DE N T DATA C E N T R E / Museum in the Countryside (unbuilt) / OMA, 2018 “We decided to focus on the 98% of the Earth’s surface that is not occupied by cities,” - Rem Koolhaas OMA proposed this unbuilt data centre at the countryside as part of the exhibition ‘Countryside: Future of the World’.

2021 MArch Thesis

The whole exhibition raises awareness that the countryside is taking more urgent transformations than the urban conditions.

fig. 1.7 Aesthetics of the Data Centre, OMA, 2018

As a general theme, the exhibition addresses questions about the development and role of the countryside to cities over time, from analysis of the earlier twentieth century, to the current situation, and a speculation of how countryside would be shaped in the future.

It is provoking that OMA compares the grid-form layout of data centre to museum, where storage of data and exhibition coexist under similar architectural configuration.

This proposition of merging infrastructure allows the emptiness of data centre to be filled up with the public engagement in the exhibition spaces. It challenges the common character of post-human architecture, where it usually rejects the participation of human inhabitation.

The proposal is an important statement itself that marks data centre as the new architectural typology with infinite possibilities to be executed in the industry, which demonstrates a parallel insight to the thesis topic in relation to the speculation of data centre development in rural areas.

fig. 1.8 Rem Koolhaas at the Guggenheim Museum, OMA, 2018

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fig. 1.9 Plan, OMA, 2018

fig. 1.10 The Museum, OMA, 2018

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CA S E ST U DI E S

PR EC E DE N T DATA C E N T R E / The Spark (ongoing) / Snohetta, 2018 “The Spark will not only set a new standard for sustainable data centres, but also position data centres as anchors of smart city developments.” - Snohetta

2021 MArch Thesis

Started as a pilot scheme in Oslo, The Spark is a sustainable data centre standard concept which addresses the potentials of transforming high-energy-consuming infrastructures into energy-producing resources to generate power for communities.

Described as both "the body and the brain" of the Power City, the Spark is developed as a building that gives back to the community. From an environmental point of view, the concept proposal raises the idea of heat recovery through introducing an energy loop system that also benefits the neighbours in the city.

Across the architecture discourse, digital technologies have been changing ways how architects think and work. Foreseeing the nonstop advancements, it is urgent to be careful and critical on controlling the digital technologies we are using with humanized frameworks.

This case demonstrates well in the input of human proportions throughout the planning of these machine-filled architecture. Transforming excessive energy generated into a form of re-contribution to the neighbourhood, it shows the architects’ vision on the well-being of human, rather than just a habitation for machines in the absence of people.

fig. 1.11 Pilot study in Lyseparken in Os, Snohetta, 2018

fig. 1.12 Excessive heat reuse, Snohetta, 2018

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fig. 1.13 Aerial of the Spark, Snohetta, 2018

fig. 1.14 Strategic heating needs, Snohetta, 2018

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CA S E ST U DI E S

PR EC E DE N T RO CK / The Truffle (house) / Ensamble Studio, 2010 “The architecture surprised us. Its ambiguity between the natural and the built, the complex materiality that the same constructive element, the mass unreinforced concrete, could provide the small architectural space, at different scales.” - Ensamble Studio As a reference to the "Cabanon" of Le Corbusier as motif, the Truffle recreates its program and dimensions as a living space in the nature on the Costa da Morte coastline of Spain.

2021 MArch Thesis

The whole construction process of this project is a challenge to the fabrication of a man-made stone throughout time.

From the extraction of soil mass, to the filling of hay bales for the reservation of internal space, then the pouring of concrete and cement around the edges of the pit. After the cutting with quarry machines, a cow is invited to finish the hay inside, restoring the architectural condition from a shelter for vegetable mass to an inhabitable space.

In terms of materiality, the introduction of soft hay as a mould in contrast to the rough concrete has resulted in a smooth interior finish. This fluid transition from a hard exterior to the interior has added to the house's material complexity that help camouflage and integrate with the natural environment.

fig. 1.15 Exterior, Ensamble Studio, 2010

This project demonstrates the relationship how the transformation of materials would help shape spatial experience. The ambiguity between the natural and the built embraces the beauty of blending with the territory over time.

fig. 1.16 Paulina the cow, Ensamble Studio, 2010

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fig. 1.17 Carving out by cow, Ensamble Studio, 2010

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fig. 1.18 Interior, Ensamble Studio, 2010

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CHAPTER 2 - CONTEXT

< WELCOM E TO T H E JU N GL E >

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WHERE IS THE LAND FOR NEW DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE?

M AC H I N E A S N E W LAN DSC APE The thesis starts with the recurrent question asking how could Hong Kong make more space for the need of new infrastructure.

Avoiding reclamation or works in country parks and historical relics, there is an urgency of introducing new environment to work with. Considering the mountainous topography of Hong Kong, its hilly condition offered alternative grounds for accommodating infrastructure with stability and security through excavation.

Ultimately, the thesis sees machines as part of the landscape, forming a new typology of territory across Hong Kong.

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fig. 2.1 Machine Cavern, 2021 29

< WE LC OM E TO T H E J U N GLE > / speculation

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GEOLO GY

fig. 2.2 Hong Kong Geology, CEDD, 2009

06

03

+

+

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+02

01

+ +05 +

04

/ Quaternary Superficial deposits

/ Jurassic and Cretaceous Volcanic Rocks

/ Cretaceous to Tertiary Sedimentary rocks

/ Devonian to Permian Sedimentary Rocks

fig. 2.3 Geology Map source: Geology of Hong Kong, CEDD, 2006

GEOLO GY The geological history of Hong Kong started as early as the Devonian period, which was around 400 million years ago11.

Despite having a relatively small land area of only 1100 km2, there is a variety of geological features and natural landscapes in Hong Kong.

With granite and volcanic rocks made up 85% of Hong Kong’s land surface and the remaining 15% are mostly sedimentary rocks located in the northeast New Territories.

Quaternary Tertiary

Age (m.y.)

/ Jurassic and Cretaceous Granite Rocks

Period

Reclaimed Land

2.6 23

Cretaceous

145

Jurassic

199

Permian

299

Devonian

416

/ Geological Time Scale

10 Sewell, R., R. Shaw, and D.L.K. Tang. 2009. Hong Kong Geology: 400-Million Year Journey. Kowloon, Hong Kong: Civil Engineering and Development Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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01

fig. 2.4

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Large reclamation platform, West Kowloon

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fig. 2.6

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fig. 2.5

Meandering stream, Yuen Long Plain

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fig. 2.7

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Quartz veins in sandstone, Fung Wong Wat, Tolo Channel

+ 05

Columnar joints, High Island Formation, North Nine Pin Island

fig. 2.8

Granite boulders, Chung Hom Kok, Hong Kong Island

+ 06

fig. 2.9

Steep layers of light grey sandstone and red mudstone, Bluff Head, Tolo Channel

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GEOLO GY

fig. 2.10 Geoguide 4: Guide to Cavern Engineering, Second Edition, CEDD, 2018

30% 6%

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64%

/ High to medium

fig. 2.11 Cavern Suitability Map source: Cavern Suitability Class, CEDD, 2012

/ Low to very low / Not suitable

C AVE R N SU I TA B I LI T Y In the assessment done by CEDD, A preliminary territory-wide cavern suitability map has been developed using a Geographical Information System (GIS)12.

High suitability areas (64%) are those areas that are considered to be more easily developed with reduced overall construction cost.

Class

% of land area

High to medium

64

Low to very low

30

Not Suitable

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/ Cavern Suitability

11 Wallace, M. I. 2018. Guide to Cavern Engineering (Second Edition). Hong Kong: Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering Dept. / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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fig. 2.12 Cavern Construction, 2021

33 source: Geology of Hong Kong, CEDD, 2006

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CAVE R N M ASTE R PLAN

new territories

fig. 2.13

Long term strategy for cavern development - feasibility study executive summary, CEDD, 2012

hk island

approximately

4 600 hectares 32 potential caves

=

kowloon

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lantau island

+

11 potential caves

[ 1 / 2 hong kong island ]

7 potential caves

5 potential caves

[ total area of Strategic Cavern Areas ]

LONG T E R M STRAT E GY FOR C AVE R N DEVELOPMENT The “Strategic Cavern Planning” was done by CEDD earlier in 2012. That they have listed out 48 potential sites in Hong Kong that are being examined and suitable to be excavated for the purpose of infrastructure development12.

The Master Plan delineates forty eight (48) SCVAs, of which 11 are on Hong Kong Island, 5 in Kowloon and 32 in the New Territories (including 7 on Lantau Island).

The sizes of individual SCVAs range from approximately 30 to 200 hectares. The area of SCVAs does not represent the actual developable cavern footprint because provisions have to be made for buffer zones between individual facilities, intervening rock pillars for support and portal access and inter-connection, etc.

As a response to the Government Cavern Planning, the thesis takes the opportunity of selecting suitable sites for allocating new cavern data centres.

PH AS IN G

P t. I

P t. II

P t. III

+ 1 C AVE

+ 4 C AVE S

+ 6 C AVE S

20 21

20 3 4

20 47

/ Project Trajectory

12 Geotechnical Engineering Office, “Long-term Strategy for Cavern Development - Feasibility Study Executive Summary,” Civil Engineering & Development Department, December 2012, https://www.cavern.gov.hk/Sources/Leaflet%20of%20Cavern%20Development%20Draft01h_Page.pdf / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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fig. 2.14 HK Cavern Master Plan, 2021

35 source: Geology of Hong Kong, CEDD, 2006

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NEX T DATA H U B 1997

1987

fig. 2.15

2007

2017

Fact Sheet: Hong Kong - The Prime Location for Data Centre, OGCIO: Data Centre Facilitation Unit, 2021

2027 X

Technology sector

South Korea’s Naver relocates Hong Kong data centre to Singapore First major foreign tech group to confirm exit from Chinese territory amid privacy concerns

"IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAKE THE CLAIM

X

FOR HONG KONG BEING ASIA’S WORLD

X

X

X

CITY WHEN IT IS BEING PULLED FIRMLY INTO THE CHINA POLE"

Claude Achcar, Actel Consulting fig. 2.16

South Korea’s Naver relocates Hong Kong data centre to Singapore

Naver’s move highlights the potential that other companies could also move to Singapore as Hong Kong loses its lustre © AP

Song Jung-a in Seoul, Mercedes Ruehl in Singapore, Edward White in Wellington and Primrose Riordan in Hong Kong JULY 21 2020

One of South Korea’s biggest technology companies is abandoning Hong Kong as a base for backup data storage because of privacy fears.

Naver — a Google rival that dominates the South Korean market for web services and owns a HONG KONG

majority of Japan-based WhatsApp competitor Line — confirmed it was relocating its data back-up Facebook refused all 202 Hong Kong gov’t user data requests since oncentre from Hong Kong to an expanded site in Singapore. set of security law The latest figures placed Hong Kong amongst Sri Lanka, Russia, Iraq and Malawi for data refusals

The move is the first by a major foreign tech group to formally retreat from the territory in

by SELINA CHENG 10:18, 8 JUNE 2021

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response to China’s new national security laws, analysts said.

2T B

60 PB

50EB

1.1Z B

Terabyte (1012 bytes)

Petabyte (1015 bytes)

Exabyte (1018 bytes)

Zettabyte (1021 bytes)

__Y B

Yottabyte (1024 bytes)

source: Geology of Hong Kong, CEDD, 2006

Social media giant Facebook has refused all 202 Hong Kong government requests for user data it received in the six months after Hong Kong enacted the national security law last June.

Silicon Valley giants including Facebook, Twitter and Google are reviewing their operations in Hong Kong in response to sweeping new controls imposed by Beijing this month that bring Hong Kong’s internet within mainland China’s Great Firewall.

“We have recently made the decision, considering various factors, including Hong Kong’s National Security Law,” Naver said.

Its exit comes amid widespread concern among

It is difficult to make the claim for Hong Kong being Asia’s world city when it is being pulled firmly into the China pole

foreign groups that they will be forced to hand over private user data to Hong Kong authorities as well as face censorship by the Chinese Communist party.

Similar fears have stopped many US tech companies from operating within China for years.

File photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.

Claude Achcar, Actel Consulting Facebook received 201 legal process requests and one emergency disclosure request from Hong Kong authorities for user data from 223 user accounts between July and December 2020. It complied with none of them, the company’s latest transparency report showed.

During the second half of last year, Facebook received user information requests from the governments of 21 other countries that it did not comply with, the company’s data showed. Amongst them were Sri Lanka, Russia, Iraq and Malawi.

Facebook’s data includes requests made in relation to Instagram, Messenger, Whatsapp and Occulus, the transparency report said.

HKFP VOICES

When asked by HKFP if Facebook’s non-compliance might violate the city’s laws, a police spokesperson said they “would request information from relevant individuals and organisations when it is needed for its crime investigations.”

Why did Google abandon plans to open in Hong Kong? After seven years, a clue

by GUEST CONTRIBUTOR 10:00, 19 APRIL 2020

fig. 2.18 Why

By Johnathan Koo did Google abandon plans to open in Hong Kong? After seven years, a clue

fig. 2.17 Facebook refused all 202 Hong Kong gov’t user data requests since onset of security law

Google scrapped their plans to open a data centre on the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate site in 2013, which signalled its withdrawal from investing in Hong Kong.

The company has never properly explained the withdrawal. But we may now — after seven years of speculation — be able to draw some conclusions from the clues given by the court judgment in a judicial review case between Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (operators of the Tseung Kwan O estate) and a locally owned data centre company.

HON G KON G DATA C E N TRE DE VE LOPMENT

The data centre sector has been growing fast in Hong Kong in recent years. The demand for data centres in the coming years will continue to increase. The HKSAR Government is committed to fostering Hong Kong as the prime location for data centres in Asia Pacific in developing Hong Kong into a hub for technological cooperation and trade.

While there have been issues regarding with the privacy of data storage due to current political reform in Hong Kong, this project will expand to a wide range of clients, serving not only local / foreign buiness sectors that look for data storage, but also the local Government for general storage of documents / publications for records.

C LIE NTS ?

Hong Kong Data Centre in Sai Kung. Photo: datacentre.com.

+ Gov documents data storage Data security top priority for data businesses.

However, in the court verdict, the judge ruled for HKSTP and against the data warehouse operators, saying the + Small andis themedium-sized enterprises landlord can enter their customers’ data storage spaces at all times. + Other local / foreign large enterprises More importantly, it is clearly stated that “although reasonable notice is required, there is no right for the customer to refuse entry to HKSTP.” This is a potentially dangerous judgement if we, as Hong Kong citizens, value the privacy and security of data owners.

Clearly, no person and no company would like to see their sensitive and confidential data being accessed by the government at any time. If HKSTP, a public statutory body, is allowed to access their customers’ data storage spaces at any time, it means we are allowing the government to access data of citizens and businesses as a means to / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O facilitate and control data centres in Hong Kong.

When companies consider investment in a city, they always take the credibility and integrity of the local government into account. According to the 2020 Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom Report, Hong Kong, number one for the past 25 years, has been surpassed by Singapore, with significantly decreased scores in “Judicial Effectiveness”, “Government Integrity” and “Investment Freedom”.

fig. 2.19 Data centre + cable landing stations 36

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fig. 2.20 Hong Kong: Next Data Hub, 2021

37 source: Data Centre Facilitation, OGCIO

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CHAPTER 3 - HYPOTHESIS

< N E W OR DE R >

39

< N EW OR DE R > / trajectory

3 .1

+

ME T HOD & STRUC TU RE

PH A S I N G / Cavern Data Centre Master Plan The whole project is a response to the “Strategic Cavern Planning” done by CEDD earlier in 2012.

Listed with 48 potential sites for new caves in Hong Kong (examined with feasibility studies to identify as suitable for the purpose of infrastructure development), this thesis provides an alternative master planning by picking few of the potential sites for allocating new cavern data centres.

In terms of structure, the project is split into 3 Parts in total: < Pt. I > studies a single site in Yau Tong, moving on to < Pt. II > with cross-sites connection, finally < Pt. III > projecting a new form of territory across Hong Kong that is seen as archipelago.

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Theis project speculates on the immediate future of local cavern and data centre development.

MET HOD / building narrative Throughout the research and design development, different tools are used as matchmakers in establishing dialogues between binary conditions.

From drawings including mappings and perspectives, experiments and cultivation, to model making and installation building, there are mixed medium in building up narrative of the thesis project. < Pt. I - Mappings / Models / Experiments / Cultivation > Worked intensively in mappings and documentations with relevance to data-related machines, geology and current data centre development in Hong Kong. Creating atlas through a curation of related research, Pt. I locates an appropriate site as pilot scheme for architectural intervention. < PT. II - Mappings / Perspectives > Defined the trajectory of project in response to the site identified. Pt. II gives shape to the formation of man-made archipelago through cross-sites identification, as well as visualising key design components and atmosphere. < Pt. III - Mappings / Film / Installation> Wrapped up with the prospects of the narrative as a conclusion. Mixed medium are used to perform the narrative in a first-person experience, establishing conversations between the digital and physical world, from senses captured in imageries to personal experience, such as the heat and light from the overhead projector in operation.

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

40

Pt. II 203 4

+ 4 CAVE S

Pt. I 20 21

+ 1 CAVE

Pt. III 204 7

+ 6 CAVE S

fig. 3.1 Mappings in Different Phasing 20/21 MArch Thesis

fig. 3.2 Experiment with Tissue

fig. 3.3 Mushroom Cultivation

fig. 3.4 Physical Model

fig. 3.5 Installation

fig. 3.6 Projection with Films 41

< N EW OR DE R > / typical data centre operation

3.2

+

DATA STOR AGE

01 Entrance

Man Trap

04 05

Security Reception Lobby

Lounge

03

06

Security Room

Operation Office

Data Servers

07 M/E Room

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+

02

Computer Room

08 BOH / Engineering Workshop

/ Simplified Data Centre Space Adjacency Diagram by Room fig. 3.7

C OM PU T E R RO OM AS C ORE Among typical data centre design, computer room (where data servers are being accommodated) serves as the main core surrounded by high level of security. Access to the room are limited to verified clients / staff through security checks. In terms of property values, data centres could be compared on the same level as banks.

Challenging the typical machine-drive design solutions, the thesis proposes alternative data centre design strategies in terms of construction and program, pushing forward as a new typology of public infrastructure. / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

42

fig. 3.8

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43

< N EW OR DE R > / proposed data storage system

3.2

+

DATA STOR AGE

Backup Power

Data Servers

+ +

+

04

Security

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05

02

+

01 Entrance

Ventilation Portal

03

M/E Room

/ Proposed Data Centre Space Adjacency Diagram by Room fig. 3.9

G ROW I N G DATA AS M YC E LI U M The proposed data storage planning challenges typical data centres that are commonly fixed in one-off construction.

Instead with a simplified branch structure system, it opens up possibility for further expansion. The alternative data storage system aims to provide colocation services and ongoing expansion at the same time.

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

44

+

OPEN BR A N C H SYSTE M

< alternative data storage system that grows and expands >

+ +

+

+

i

ii

iii

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iv

+

+

+

+ +

+

+

+

+ +

+

+

+ +

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/ Proposed Data Centre Growth fig. 3.10

/ Branch of Possible System Growth Pattern fig. 3.11

/ Mycelium Cultivation on Agar Plate fig. 3.12

45

< N EW OR DE R > / spoil disposal

3.3 EXCAVAT ION

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+

+

06

Tseung Kwan O Area 137 Temporary Construction Waste Sorting Facility fig. 3.13

C ON ST RUC T ION WAST E DI SPOSAL FACILITIE S According to CEDD, there are three main strategies to manage construction waste in Hong Kong - reduce, reuse and recycle. There are several disposal facilities managed by CEDD currently: - Public Fill Reception Facilities 01 Tseung Kwan O Area 137 Fill Bank 02 Tseun Mun Area 38 Fill Bank 03 Chai Wan Public Fill Barging Point 04 Mui Wo Temporary Public Fill Reception Facility 02

- Construction Waste Sorting Facility 05 Tseung Kwan O Area 137 Temporary Construction Waste Sorting Facility 06 Tuen Mun Area 38 Temporary Construction Waste Sorting Facility Under the Construction Waste Disposal Charging Scheme (Charging Scheme), which was enacted in January 2005, Construction waste producers, prior to using government waste disposal facilities, need to open a billing account with the Environmental Protection Department and pay for the construction waste disposal charge.

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

++

05

04

+

01

+++

03

06

fig. 3.14 Waste Disposal Facilities Managed by CEDD

46

Current Excavation Spoil Disposal under “Geoguide 4 – Guide to Cavern Engineering (2nd Edition)”, CEDD , January 2018

00 Excavation

(on site)

crushing on site or transportation to quarry sites for processing into aggregates

Processing

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01

(on site) (off site)

crushing on site or transportation to quarry sites for processing into aggregates OR

02 Reuse

(on site)

reuse on the same project, or nearby, for rock fill slopes OR

03

Transportation

(off site)

transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site

47

< N EW OR DE R > / landscape restoration

3.3

+

EXCAVAT ION

-s ite on

s all nw io

b ga

cr us h

in g

Excavation

01 MATERIALS reuse

excavated granite rocks

Restoration

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Processing

chipped rocks

fig. 3.15

Reuse of Excavated Materials

fig. 3.16

Fire Station Fleres, Roland Baldi Architects, 2015

LANDSC A PE SU RFAC E RE STORATION As a strategy to reuse waste from excavation, excavated rocks are proposed to be reused after further crushing on site, through systems of transition in repair of the broken surfaces of mountains resulted from old-time mining activities.

It is hoped that a new form of landscape would blend in with the existing landscape, alongside with new programs in respect to the appreciation of nature.

01 Mount Butler Quarry 02 Cha Kwo Ling Quarry 03 Lei Yue Mun Old Quarry (Pt. I) In relation to the ongoing excavation in expansion, the gabion wall facade will also change and reflect the size of cavern usage. More than forming a new landscape in front of the broken mountain surfaces, the gabion baskets will also serve as material storage for re-use elewhere.

02

+ ++

01

03

fig. 3.17 Hong Kong Old Quarries

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

48

/ 01 - Mount Butler Quarry fig. 3.18

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/ 02 - Cha Gwo Ling Quarry fig. 3.19

/ 03 - Lei Yue Mun Old Quarry (Pt.1) fig. 3.19

49

< N EW OR DE R > / quarry methods

3.3

+

EXCAVAT ION

01 DIG G I N G OR E XC AVAT I N G The process of using some implement such as claws, hands, manual tools or heavy equipment, to remove material from the rock surface.

With the combination of two processes, first being the breaking or cutting of the surface, and the second being removal and relocation of the spoil.

02 W E D G I N G If the rock surface contains cracks of fissures, this method is adopted.

Steel wedges are driven through such cracks by means of a hammer.

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Blocks of stones are then shifted, and they are removed with the help of suitable instruments. If natural cracks are not available, artificial cracks are formed. This method is adopted for rocks that are comparatively soft.

03 HE AT I NG In this method, the top surface of the rock is heated. Due to unequal expansion, the upper layer of the rock separates out and is indicated by a dull bursting noise.

The detached blocks are then removed. This method is useful when the rock formation consists of horizontal layers at shallow depth.

04 C H A N NE L I N G M AC HI N E In this method, the channeling machine is driven by steam compressed air or electricity are used to make vertical or oblique grooves or channels on the rock mass.

The machine operates by a chipping action of three to five chisels while traveling back and forth on a track.

05 B LA ST I N G Explosive is adopted in this method of quarrying to convert rocks into small pieces.

This method is used when hand rocks having no fissures or cracks are to be broken down into small pieces. Stone obtained by blasting is usually of small size. fig. 3.21 Anderson Road Quarry Site / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

50

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QUA R RY PATTE R N < excavated mountain surface >

Broken mountain surfaces come in patterns resulted from different quarry methods.

01

01

linear

02

02

irregular 20/21 MArch Thesis

03

03

convex

04

04

fair-faced

05

05

rubble

fig. 3.22 Quarry Pattern

51

< N EW OR DE R > / construction process

3.4

+

LI F E CYCLE

C AVE A S A RC HI PE LAG O This thesis projects a new form of territory across Hong Kong.

As more and more caves are excavated and operates in each phasing, relationships are established between caves themselves, either physically through submarine cables, or within the same cloud network.

These groups of caves that provide colocation services are seen as man-made archipelago, in comparison to natural form of islands in groups.

+ + +

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+

+

+ + +

+

fig. 3.23 Natural Archipelago, Ninepin Group, Hong Kong

/ Underground or Submarine Cables Connecting Neighbouring Caves

/ Part of Proposed Machine Archipelago

fig. 3.24

fig. 3.26

/ Caves Providing Colocation Services that Share the Same Cloud Network fig. 3.25

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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+

C ON ST RUC TION PRO C E S S

< relationship between machines, rocks and mushroom >

The construction process responds to the transition of excavated material throughout ongoing expansion.

01

05

/ Filling gabion baskets as excavation continues

02

06

/ Excavation starts

/ Building services introduced, chipped stones transported for re-use in other projects

03

/ Gabion baskets in construction

04

/ Excavated rocks crushed as chipped stones on site

fig. 3.27 Construction Process

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/ Mountain identified

07

/ Data centre in operation

08

/ New ecosystem established with mushroom cultivation

53

< N EW OR DE R > / heat recovery

3.5

+

ECOSYST E M room between 18°C - 27 °C

H EAT R E C OVE RY PRO C E SS

Servers ca pt ur e & er at ed at g

en

02 ENERGY

ng oli

co

reuse

he

Establishing a narrative between the comparison of data and mushroom farming, a regenerative process of data centre operation is seen as a restoration to immediate environment through transitions, forming new landscape in return for the required excavation works.

d

In terms of sustainable design strategy, a loop ecosystem is proposed through the reuse of excess excavated material and heat produced by data servers in operation.

up to 60°C or higher

heat

drop to 15°C

Water Tank

moisture

Chiller

pumped through pipes

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Facebook Lulea Data Centre, Sweden fig. 3.28

Mushroom Tunnel, Mittagong, Australia fig. 3.29

Farm areas soil between between 21°C - 23 °C fig. 3.30 Heat Recovery Process

MYC E L I UM A RC HI TE C TU RE Compared to a plant, mycelium is the root system and the mushroom is the flower. The soft and thread-like form of mycelium growth adds to its insulating and moisture-absorbing properties, which serve as passive environmental control.

Recently, mycelium has become a popular bio-based material across multidisciplinary, for its natural properties of durable strength, light weight and good insulation of sound and temperature.

As a case study, a set designer and artist Pascal Leboucq had paired up with Erik Klarenbeek's studio Krown Design at Dutch Design Week in 2019, and designed this temporary events space The Growing Pavilion, which grew mycelium on a supporting timber frame.

With a mixture of agricultural waste, mycelium become biodegradable insulation panels that could be detached from the timber frame and reused for other purposes.

The Growing Pavilion has demonstrated how mycelium could perform as a building material, with the opportunity that its properties could change throughout a certain period of time, just as how concrete continues to cure and become stronger over time.

Introducing mushroom mycelium as a material in the project, it is hoped that such growth of mycelium would address the issue of time during the operation of cavern data centres, in relation to its aesthetic and structural contribution to the cavern experience.

/ Growing Pavilion, Pascal Leboucq & Krown Design, 2019 fig. 3.31 / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

54

+

GROWIN G M YC E LIU M < agar petri dish, oyster mushroom tissue >

In order to record the growth of mycelium over time, tissues from king oyster mushroom are cut and carry out growth experiment.

DAY 0

DAY 1 5

DAY 5

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DAY 25

/ Mycelium Growth in Agar Plate

/ Thread-like Properties of Mycelium in Growth

fig. 3.32

fig. 3.33

/ Experiment with Tissue from Mature King Oyster Mushroom fig. 3.34 55

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NATURE | DATA fig. 4.1

56

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CHAPTER 4 - DESIGN PROPOSAL

< MACHIN E A RC H IPE L AG O >

57

< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O > / pilot scheme

4.1

+

P T. I

2021

PT. I 2021 MArch Thesis

single site 1 cave

< S CVA 3 0 - YAU TONG >

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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fig. 4.2

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< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O > / yau tong

4.1 P T. I

fig. 4.3 Information Note: SCVA No.30 - Yau Tong, CEDD, 2017

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+

+

01

02

S CVA - 3 0 YAU TON G

+

+03 fig. 4.4

/ Rock types within boundary

Area: 108.8 ha Maximum elevation in the SCVA: +205 mPD Minimum elevation in the SCVA: 0 mPD medium-grained Kowloon granite western portion

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

fine-grained Mount Butler granite central and eastern portions

fine Mount Davis ash tuff southeastern portion

60

T KOI E DATA T E C HN OLO GY H U B Tseung Kwan O New Town located to the northeast of the SCVA is a major developed area with residential communities as well as commercial and industrial related uses.

In particular, a data centre cluster has been developed in the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate (TKOIE) (about 2.4 km to the southeast of the SCVA) with 11 data centres being in use to serve the financial, cloud and hosting sectors. There is also a plan to develop a Data Technology Hub in the TKOIE1.

Thus, there is potential for the SCVA to provide additional space to support future expansion of the industry by housing more data centres and related facilities in caverns, which is in line with the Government’s policy objective of promoting Hong Kong as a data centre hub.

TKOIE leaflet, HKSTP, 2016 fig. 4.5

HI STOR IC A L VALU E S Apart from the Grade 3 old quarry relics,the Fortifications at Devil’s Peak (Grade 2 historic buildings) are located in the southern portion of the SCVA and Tin Hau Temple at Ma Wan Tsuen (Grade 3 historic building) is in southern boundary of the SCVA.

+01

Devil’s Peak Fortifications

+ 02

Grade 2 historic buildings

Tin Hau Temple at Ma Wan Tsuen Grade 3 historic building

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fig. 4.7

+ 03

Old Quarry Site Structures Grade 3 historic buildings

fig. 4.6

fig. 4.8

1 HKSTP was commissioned in 2016 by the HKSAR government to develop Data Technology Hub (DT Hub) in Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate (TKOIE), with the vision to evolve Hong Kong into a data economy and drive industrial upgrades. In recent years, re-industrialization has become a strategic initiative of the government to identify potential new area of economic growth for Hong Kong. Apart from advanced manufacturing processes, the development of high-value added software, big data and AI are also critical to the process of Hong Kong’s re-industrialization. Geotechnical Engineering Office, “Long-term Strategy for Cavern Development - Feasibility Study Executive Summary,” Civil Engineering & Development Department, December 2012, https://www.cavern.gov.hk/Sources/Leaflet%20of%20Cavern%20Development%20Draft01h_Page.pdf

61

< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O > / yau tong

4.1 P T. I

fig. 4.9 GISH N86 - Old Quarry Site Structures, AAB, 2015

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+

fig. 4.10

T RAC E S OF STON E QUARRY

/ Jetty

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

/ Blockhouse ( watchmen’s quarters )

/ Stone hut ( checker’s kiosk )

62

LE I YUE M U N OLD STON E QUAR RY 1904 - 1967 Lei Yue Mun is literally translated as the ‘Koi Fish Gate’.

Quarries had been operating in the area since early 19th Century, many workers migrated from Canton to settle down in Lei Yue Mun. The demand for stones was high as construction materials for buildings in Hong Kong until the 1980s. Most buildings including the former Legislative Council and those in the Central and Western District were built with stones from this quarry in Lei Yue Mun. After the 1980s, the demand for stones dwindled and this old quarry is now abandoned. The once prosperous stone quarry in Lei Yue Mun is now an abandoned place frozen in time with old stone houses and halfway carved stone hill overlooking the bustling city on the opposite shore. fig.4.11

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fig. 4.14

fig. 4.12

fig. 4.15

fig. 4.13 63

+

< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O >

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/ branch system

4.1

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P T. I

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fig. 4.17 Section Model

fig. 4.16 Section Model

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

64

+

B RA N C H C OM PON E N TS

< basic components for proposed data storage system >

Three major components within the propose cavern data centres

| PASSAGE WAY |

| VE N T ILAT ION PORTA L |

| DATA T U N N E L |

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

fig. 4.18 20/21 MArch Thesis

SECTIONS

fig. 4.19

S-01 - Gate S-02 - Man Trap S-03 - M/E Room S-04 - Data Tunnel S-05 - Portal S-06 - Working Platform

65

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< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O >

+

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/ branch system

4.1

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P T. I | PASSAGEWAY |

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Reusing the excavated granite rocks as the interior wall and the entrance facade gabion wall systems

fig. 4.20

Gabion Wall Rapid excavation

Reuse on-site crushed stones for interior and facade / Gabion wall system as transition of excavated materials

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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fig. 4.21

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< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O >

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/ branch system

4.1

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P T. I | VENT ILATION PORTAL |

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Serving as the core joint and junction for further expansion of new data tunnels or circulation

fig. 4.22

Proposal 13 data tunnels = 13 x 96 = 1248 data racks

Equinix Tower 2 250 data racks/ floor = 250 x 5 = 1250 data racks

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

/ Serving as joint for expansion

/ Equinix: HK5 Data Center Tower 2

68

fig. 4.23

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< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O >

+

+

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/ branch system

4.1

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P T. I | DATA TUNNEL |

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Catering a total of 96 data racks together with its own air conditioning and power distribution unit

fig. 4.24

04

02

Temperature Between 18°C - 27 °C

03

01

Relative humidity Between 20% - 80%

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

01 Engineering Computers x 3

03 Data Racks x 96

02 CRAC Unit x 3

04 Power Distribution Unit x 1

70

fig. 4.25

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fig. 4.26

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O >

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/ entrance

fig. 4.27

LAN DSCAPE RE STORATION Gabion baskets are constructed along the surface of mountains at the early stage of excavation.

As a strategy to reuse materials from excavation, the excavated rocks are proposed to be reused after further crushing on site, through systems of transition in repair of the broken surfaces of mountains resulted from old-time mining activities.

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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fig. 4.28

N EW LANDSCAPE As excavation continues, more excavated rocks are crushed as chipped stones and filled in the gabion baskets. Signifying the process of excavation, the grow of data centre size is represented in the changes of gabion wall facade.

Ultimately, it is hoped that a new form of landscape would blend in with the existing landscape, establishing dialogues between the broken surfaces of mountains and stones-filled gabion facade.

75

< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O >

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/ passageway

fig. 4.29

MAN -MADE CONSTRUCTION Machines and workers are involved whenever expansion is needed. Excavated materials such as granite rock would be further processed on site as chipped stones for storage along the gabion wall facade.

Traces of construction are repeatedly reappearing throughout the operation of data centre. Occasionally, the noise and vibration of machines would also become part of the cavern experience in addition to its dimmed environment. / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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fig. 4.30

NATURAL G ROW TH As time passes, spores that are spread along the passageway would grow as mushrooms under the natural humid condition of cave. The organic growth of mushrooms blurs out the boundary and embraces the beauty of blending with the natural territory over time.

There is a constant dialogue among the controlled and organic growth within the cave, that the contrasting architectural qualities of between a man-made cave and the co-existing natural ecosystem would also transform and differ in relation to time.

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< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O >

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/ ventilation portal

fig. 4.31

TRAC E S IN TRANSITION Challenging typical data centres that are fixed in one-off construction, the proposed system offers an opportunity for data centre to expand upon growth of services. Instead of a well-furnished environment, traces of ongoing construction works offer visitors alternative spatial experience of cavern in transition.

In the early construction stage, the data centre remains a more private environment where most areas completed (such as data tunnels and machine service rooms) are exclusive to the access of clients and staff only. / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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fig. 4.32

SOFTN E SS AG AINST RO CK Mycelium that are cultivated on suspended timber frame grows as the expansion of data centre grows. Its soft and thread-like properties adds to the contrast against the hard rock surface.

At this point of operation, the data centre becomes a more open environment where additional public spaces are formed along the expansion of new districts. Re-envisioning a new form of community and public space experience with events or activities happening in caves.

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< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O >

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/ data tunnel

fig. 4.33

RACKS FOR DATA For its sounding stability, security and cooler temperature, cave is a natural habitat for data racks that require large amount of energy in cooling services. Unlike data centres on ground, there is a reduced risk of natural and man-made disaster, as well as unlimited floor-load capacity for heavy machines and services.

Traditionally, urban city areas are where the machines live, and rural parts are where the nature grows.

Through proposing data centres in caves, it inverts the idea that the machines are now returning urban land resources and becoming part of the nature. / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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fig. 4.34

RAC K S FOR MUSHRO OM Maintaining the same frames and layout, some of the data tunnels in expansion are replaced with the use of mushroom cultivation, benefiting from the appropriate (indoor) environment of caves. Comparing data storage to mushroom farming, the racks are seen as structures that are opened for new adaptation.

Introducing new ways of public engagement, part of the proposed data centre now becomes a hybrid form of post-human architecture, which originally tends to reject the appearance of human activities.

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fig. 4.26

< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O > / cross sites

4.2

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cross sites 1 + 4 caves

< S C VA # 2 9 - BL ACK HI L L > < S C VA # 3 0 - YAU TONG > < S C VA # 3 1 - CHAI WAN AU > < S C VA # 3 2 - SHAU K EI WAN > < S C VA # 3 3 - BR AEMAR HI L L >

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fig. 4.36

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transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site transporting from sites to barging points, reclamation or other disposal site

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< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O > / cross-harbour caves

4.2 P T. I I

/ SCVA #29 Black Hill

/ SCVA #31 Chai Wan Au

/ SCVA #30 Yau Tong <PT. I>

/ SCVA #32 Shau Kei Wan

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C AVE R N A RC HI PE LAG O For Pt. II, few more neighbouring caves are selected based on the relation of its social context and development of business growth.

These caves are selected as potential sites for allocating new data centres based on the proposed system. It is targeted that this stage of expansion gives shape to the formation of man-made archipelago through the connections across these cavern data centres . / SCVA #33 Braemar Hill

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fig. 4.37

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< MAC H I NE A RCH I PE LAG O > / machine archipelago

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new territory across Hong Kong 1 + 4 + 6 caves

< S C VA #2 9 - B L AC K H I L L >

< SCVA # 1 4 - TSUEN WAN NORTH >

< S C VA # 3 0 - YAU TONG >

< SCVA # 1 5 - TSUEN WAN EAST >

< S C VA # 3 1 - C H A I WA N AU >

< SCVA # 1 6 - SMUG GL ER S’ RI DGE >

< S C VA #3 2 - S H AU K EI WA N >

< SCVA # 1 7 - G OL DEN HI L L >

< S C VA #3 3 - B RA EMA R H I L L >

< SCVA # 43 - SHAM SHUI KOK > < SCVA # 44 - SI U HO WAN >

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CHAPTER 5

< R E C OR DS >

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RE VI EW RE SP ON SE S

/ 20210201 / Reviewers: Sony Devabhaktuni, Roberto Requejo, Valérie Portefaix In general, some major confusions were spot on and constructive comments were received in the review.

Overall, the presented comparison between natural caves and machine infrastructure was recognised an interesting topic. The juxtaposition between the two binaries allows potentials in innovative design intervention. However, the project’s background settings and narratives are not being pushed strong enough as followed.

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“In terms on physical, how would a data centre in a Post-Anthropocene world be different from the world now? The moment is not too convincing on working drawings with today’s technology.” – Sony Firstly, the issue of time frame was raised during the discussion. Articulating today’s technologies in excavation methods and data centre operations in the presented drawings are not convincing enough to demonstrate the age of the Post-Anthropocene as described in title. To avoid such confusion of settings in time and context, the project should either speculate a very far future or within an immediate time frame.

“How much do you want to speculate on versus how much would be ignored?” – Roberto On the other hand, the scope of the project was also brought up during discussion. With potentials, it is encouraged to be more ambitious and expand the original scope of the project into three stages, from working on a single site in stage 1, then to neighbouring sites in stage 2 and finally a trajectory across the HK territory in stage 3. In this way, the whole project becomes a master plan of the immediate future, along with responsible design proposals and systems at different levels.

fig. 5.1

“Can we create a new form of territory with data across Hong Kong while proposing a new type of infrastructure?” – Valerie As a follow up, the issue of time frame and project scope should be adjusted in response to the comments, and in parallel move on with further developing design strategies in each of the stages.

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fig. 5.2 panel, 2021

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/ 20210319 / Reviewers: Clover Lee, Peter Ferreto, Juan Du, Chad McKee, Valérie Portefaix More specific issues regarding the thesis topic were spot on and alternative directions were discussed in the review.

“Is the cave more important than the data centre to you?” – Clover First of all, the portion of focus between excavating caves and proposing data centres was being raised during the discussion. With reviewers commenting that the project is slightly dominated by engineering issues at the moment.

“There are existing underutilised underground spaces, what makes an alternative than filling in those spaces?” – Juan

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“The new hole you are making is going to cost a lot of money. Your narrative, which is beautiful, has to address these things so that it makes sense to what the project is developing.” – Peter Also, discussions in terms of site strategies were also raised by reviewers. It is important to justify the reason between digging into new caves and transforming underutilized underground spaces, or existing war time relics. That I have chosen to stick with the excavation of new caves as an agenda seeing this project as a pilot scheme in speculation to the government planning, as well as in consideration of the historical values to be preserved.

“Like moisture, I would like to see the range of parameters particular to the environment.” – Chad In addition, more specific challenges regarding energy and environmental impacts were mentioned as well. While there may not be a fully resolved solutions, the level of understanding towards environment impact and energy usage should be demonstrated with thoughts on sustainable strategies, starting from where the electricity comes and goes to the remote sites.

fig. 5.3

“Make it public!” – Clover “There is the recommendation for you create a hybrid program that allows the project to become the real alternative to what the government is proposing simply just as a data centre” – Juan As a wrap up, it is suggested that the project is lacking a certain level of public engagement. Rather than simply proposing a new environment for data centre, it is more important to demonstrate the architectural qualities and contributions in terms of the program that demands habitation, as well as spatial experience that pushed the limits set under natural caves context, such as low natural lights.

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fig. 5.4 panel, 2021

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RE VI EW RE SP ON SE S

/ 20210420 / Reviewers: Tatjana Crossley, Cole Roskam, Joshua Bolchover, Guillaume Othenin-Girard, Valérie Portefaix More detailed issues regarding how to further push the thesis topic and shape the narrative were discussed in the review.

“The excavation is part of the project, how does excavation helps shape the spatial environment?...

The plan does not suggest the traces of machines or spatial exploration from the process of extracting materials.” – Guillaume

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“The key of the project is a time-base change. How do you start with the massive earth to the extraction process, and along with the introduction of machines? The idea of transformation over time need to be addressed.” – Joshua First of all, the process of excavation was being raised during the discussion. Most reviewers agreed in the review that the transition process of the project was not being articulated clearly. The design at this point was too static, and not suggesting enough of transformations in terms of the overall operation.

“The project is interesting in terms of the negotiation between the scale of data centres, mushrooms and human bodies.” – Guillaume “Interesting contrast between the hardness of rock and the softness of mycelium. However, simply making the mycelium in ribbon may lose the possibility of experiential change.” – Joshua Some more aspects regarding the nature of project were spot on by the reviewers. As suggested by reviewers, there are potentials of exploring spatial experience in terms of three different levels, as a way of establishing dialogues between the contrast of the properties of light, temperature and material.

fig. 5.5

“The story of human appearance and the role of mushroom is not clear at the moment.” – Joshua “Maybe the project could be seen as an alternative ecosystem with mushrooms, architecture for the machines?” – Tatjana At the end of the review, the position of this project towards post-human architecture was being questioned by reviewers. This project challenges post-human architecture that rejects the appearance of human, and proposes a new form of data centre which welcomes public engagement through introducing a regenerative ecosystem. However, this need to be further demonstrated through explaining the different roles of agents within the project.

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fig. 5.6 panel, 2021

“At the moment, the drawings remain quite at the surface level, the methods or production of excavation process / mycelium growth process / experiments / transformation of excavated rocks are missing in the design.” – Tatjana “Keep working with the sequence of perspectives, as a tool to control the idea of excavations, layering of materials and mass from an architectural point of view.” – Guillaume “There is a rich potential of atmospheric experience, such as the sounds of generators / smells of mushrooms that could be pushed much further in the project.” – Cole As a wrap up, the main comment from the reviewers is that the project lacks a certain level of process that demonstrates the key transition of the project at different scales and time frame. It is important to address the changes of massing or materials in terms of how they shape the atmospheric, senses and spatial experience.

On the other hand, it is encouraged to continue with the method of parallel perspectives in sequence as a design tool narrating the experiential transformation of the project. While in terms of presentation, the trial of introducing projector as a way to present the perspectives was quite successful. However, in order to further push the idea of capturing the essence of cave experience, perhaps a more enclosed installation may be needed as a tool alongside with the projector.

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/ 20210531 / Reviewers: Tony Ip, Ashley Scott Kelly, Hendrik Tieben, Eric Schuldenfrei, Ulrich Kirchhoff , Valérie Portefaix In general, the narrative is clear and provocative to the reviewers. However, more challenges regarding technical issues are raised in the review. Revealing some of the design opportunities that are yet to be articulated in the project.

“What are the challenges? You seem to critique around two aspects of the project, one is technical, and also the economic. Also, there are critical positions on data centre itself as a number of companies have shelved their plans for new data centres in Hong Kong recently... Are there references that data centres that are opened to public?” – Ashley

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Despite with the background research of data centres operation, it is true that the targeted clients of the proposed cavern data centres are not being addressed in the presentation. Political issues such as privacy to data storage should also be mentioned and included in proposal.

“How about water? While it is a good approach to allocate data centres in cave for lower energy consumption, have you thought by problems such as water leakage?” – Tony “Another point is about how accessible are the space within the project, there should be more critique on the security level of data centres and articulate the issue through architectural solutions.” – Hendrik In terms of the data centres operation , there are also technical issues with water leakage or the accessibility of spaces that are not being touched on yet, causing a confusion in understanding the overall production chain.

“There are different parts I like a lot about your project, however in terms of tectonics, I am put down by the proposed plan, the relationship between the construction method and the form is not clearly articulated at the moment. It would be good to spend more time in the thesis regarding the tectonics and structural side to make the project more credible.” – Ulrich

fig. 5.7

“Because mushrooms and data servers need different living environments, architecturally you may think about carving them out separately since they represent two domains of knowledge...I appreciate how excavated waste are reused in the exterior rather than just being disposed, it would be interesting to see the same reuse of materials in the interior." – Eric In order to further push the project's credibility, it is suggested that more considerations from the testing of its form and structural innovations in relation to the process of construction are needed. Allowing rooms for resolving some of the expected technical issues. / R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

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fig. 5.8 panel, 2021

“The key to thesis is the integration of layers. So you have the logic of the survival needs of mushroom from ecological point of view on one hand , and the logic of technical needs of computers and servers on the other hand...You have developed enough architecture language that I could visualise how you could resolve some of the technical issues." – Eric “Thank you for bringing us back to the old tech days with the overhead projector.” – Hendrik As a wrap up, the general challenge from the reviewers is that the thesis project lacks a certain level of technical resolutions in pushing forward the credibility of the project, including water leakage, power, detailed operation and also its structural implications.

Other than that, the narrative between the comparison of mushroom cultivation and data storage is interesting and provocative as an alternative data storage system.

On the other hand, the installation and the use of overhead projection in presentation of the project was successful. With the overall set up, it demonstrates a sense of first-person atmospheric experience, such as the heat and light generated by the projector. The curation matched in alignment as part of the storytelling.

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/ 20210604 Morning Session / Reviewers: Eric Schuldenfrei, Cole Roskam, Joshua Bolchover, Valérie Portefaix / Guests:

Charmaine Chan Design Editor, South China Morning Post Claude Godefroy Partner and Design Director, Henning Larsen Clover Lee Director, plusClover Ivy Lee Managing Director, Leigh & Orange Michael WT Ng Partner, Foster and Partners

2021 MArch Thesis

Rocco Yim Principal, Rocco Design Architects It is an honour to present in the Public Review 2021 with guests across the discipline. As a wrap up the project is considered as a worthwhile subject to be carried out in the future.

“In terms of sustainability, is it more sustainable to excavate a new cave than to build a building?

You need to have a global vision of the equation on how energy consuming it would be to excavate new caves.” – Claude “I am quite interested to know where are the powers come from?.” – Michael “The thesis topic is a good notion, but there is a missing opportunities to demonstrate how cavern data centres could be of other educational purposes as a way to engage public...We want to know how you resolve the problem of heat generated from data centre operation.” – Ivy "However, the project still remains an architecture for machines and mushrooms, but not human. More thoughts should be put on considering the allocation of staff." – Rocco “The way you represent the project as a matchmaker is insufficient, the perspectives are suggesting way beyond that but you have to articulate in certain approach that show the role of architects in the discipline.” – Clover From the guests' point of view, the thesis topic is exciting to be realised in actual projects. However, there is a lack of technical evidence and resolutions in pushing its credibility, causing the project resulting more as a narrative, but yet to be a thoughtful proposal.

/ R E VE L ATION : M AC H I N E ARCHIPELAG O

fig. 5.9

"I like the project and the narrative, and all the drawing / representations are poetic." – Rocco “In fact, there have also been existing cavern / tunnel projects in Hong Kong which are in much larger scale with drawings published in public domain.” – Ivy “What came first? Designing data centres or excavating in caves?... With the expense in excavation, are you referring to the storage of business assets than just personal images” – Charmaine “You deliberately designed this set up as way to address the atmosphere. As a thesis project, potentially another approach to the project could have been the study on the production of such experience.” – Cole

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fig. 5.10

“I think the project is provocative in a way you are taking the role to say that engineering could be beautiful and experiential.” – Joshua “I understand from the Government point of view that the project is about tackling the land use problem.” – Michael "Despite all these challenges and limitations, I think this is a worthwhile subject to explore in the context of Hong Kong. I am sure it is more unsustainable than building a building and problems with fire escape. But in the end the goal is trying to save land resources, which is most pressing problem." – Rocco Similar to the comments from Final Review, it is a pity that the thesis project lacks evidence in pushing the technical resolutions as an actual proposal to be realised. Other than that, it is a very poetic and provocative narrative that the discipline and the Government should reflect on.

This general comment is well reflecting to the role of architects in practice, that the balance between the negotiation of knowledge from different domains is important in order to push forward the success of projects.

While there is limitation in trying to get a touch of addressing all the technical issues in realising the proposal, I am pleased that all of guests enjoyed the curation and storytelling of my thesis project.

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fig. 5.11

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fig. 5.12

< R EC OR DS > / other

5.2 OT HER I MAG E S

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fig. 5.13

C U RAT ION C ARD Highly driven by narratives and spatial experience, the curation becomes a key presentation of the thesis project.

The wood frame installation captures the essence of the proposal’s entrance, recreating a first-person cavern experience for the audience.

In addition, the overhead projector adds not only to the visual experience of films as vignette, but also a sense of light, heat and sound generated by machine, echoing with the operation of proposed cavern machines.

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< C L O UD

S E RVE RS >

fig. 5.15

C LOU D SE RVE RS

< Pre-thesis work >

The drawing captures a software interface which detects data servers flying over terrains, the surreal imagination of data servers as real clouds reflects that data have become part of human nature in the post-digital age. Yet, data infrastructure is mysterious and mirror-like as not being discussed widely.

The concept drawing is a combination of digital and line drawing. The hybrid drawing method questions architects’ role across the digital and paper world in design process. The current usage of technologies in digital architecture should shift away from building certain representative aesthetics that are arguable, to focus on performance that are measurable.

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LI ST OF I LLUSTRATION S

/ fig. 0.1 - Public Review, 2021 [Image] Author / fig. 0.2 - Thank you all, 2021 [Image] Author / fig. 0.3 - Abstract, 2021 [Drawing] Author / fig. 1.1 - Hong Kong Jo Sun P1, 2021 [Image] Author / fig. 1.2 - Hong Kong Jo Sun P2, 2021 [Image] Author / fig. 1.3 - Of Other Spaces [Online image] Author / fig. 1.4 - e-flux journal issue #50 [Online image] Author / fig. 1.5 - Machine Landscapes: Architectures of the Post Anthropocene [Online image] Available at: https://media.wiley.com/product_data/coverImage300/11/11194530/1119453011.jpg

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/ fig. 1.6 - Signal. Image. Architecture: (everything is already an image).

[Online image] Available at: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1681/2497/products/SignalImage_19s.jpg?v=1586693389 / fig. 1.7 - Aesthetics of the Data Centre, OMA, 2018 [Online image] Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ad.2390 / fig. 1.8 - Rem Koolhaas at the Guggenheim Museum, OMA, 2018 [Online image] Available at: https://sharpmagazine.com/2020/03/02/rem-koolhaas-guggenheim-countryside-exhibition/ / fig. 1.9 - Plan, OMA, 2018 [Online image] Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ad.2390 / fig. 1.10 - The Museum, OMA, 2018 [Online image] Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ad.2390 / fig. 1.11 - Pilot study in Lyseparken in Os, Snohetta, 2018 [Online image] Available at: https://snohetta.com/project/388-the-spark / fig. 1.12 - Excessive heat reuse, Snohetta, 2018 [Online image] Available at: https://snohetta.com/project/388-the-spark / fig. 1.13 - Aerial of the Spark, Snohetta, 2018 [Online image] Available at: https://snohetta.com/project/388-the-spark / fig. 1.14 - Strategic heating needs, Snohetta, 2018 [Online image] Available at: https://snohetta.com/project/388-the-spark / fig. 1.15 - Exterior, Ensamble Studio, 2010 [Online image] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/57367/the-truffle-ensamble-estudio / fig. 1.16 - Paulina the cow, Ensamble Studio, 2010 [Online image] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/57367/the-truffle-ensamble-estudio / fig. 1.17 - Carving out by cow, Ensamble Studio, 2010 [Online image] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/57367/the-truffle-ensamble-estudio / fig. 1.18 - Interior, Ensamble Studio, 2010 [Online image] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/57367/the-truffle-ensamble-estudio

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/ fig. 2.1 - Machine Cavern, 2021 [Image] Author / fig. 2.2 - Hong Kong Geology [Online image] Available at: https://hkss.cedd.gov.hk/hkss/eng/education/gs/eng/hkg/indexe.htm / fig. 2.3 - Geology Map [Image] Author / fig. 2.4 - Large reclamation platform, West Kowloon [Online image] Available at: https://hkss.cedd.gov.hk/hkss/eng/education/gs/eng/hkg/chapter9.htm / fig. 2.5 - Meandering stream, Yuen Long Plain [Online image] Available at: https://hkss.cedd.gov.hk/hkss/eng/education/gs/eng/hkg/chapter9.htm / fig. 2.4 - Large reclamation platform, West Kowloon [Online image] Available at: https://hkss.cedd.gov.hk/hkss/eng/education/gs/eng/hkg/chapter9.htm / fig. 2.5 - Meandering stream, Yuen Long Plain [Online image] Available at: https://hkss.cedd.gov.hk/hkss/eng/education/gs/eng/hkg/chapter9.htm / fig. 2.6 - Quartz veins in sandstone, Fung Wong Wat, Tolo Channel [Online image] Available at: https://hkss.cedd.gov.hk/hkss/eng/education/gs/eng/hkg/chapter9.htm / fig. 2.7 - Granite boulders, Chung Hom Kok, Hong Kong Island [Online image] Available at: https://hkss.cedd.gov.hk/hkss/eng/education/gs/eng/hkg/chapter9.htm 20/21 MArch Thesis

/ fig. 2.8 - Columnar joints, High Island Formation, North Nine Pin Island [Online image] Available at: https://hkss.cedd.gov.hk/hkss/eng/education/gs/eng/hkg/chapter9.htm / fig. 2.9 - Steep layers of light grey sandstone and red mudstone, Bluff Head, Tolo Channel [Online image] Available at: https://hkss.cedd.gov.hk/hkss/eng/education/gs/eng/hkg/chapter9.htm / fig. 2.10 - Geoguide 4: Guide to Cavern Engineering, Second Edition [Online image] Available at: https://www.cavern.gov.hk/geoguide4.htm / fig. 2.11 - Cavern Suitability Map [Image] Author / fig. 2.12 - Cavern Construction, 2021 [Image] Author / fig. 2.13 - Long term strategy for cavern development - feasibility study executive summary [Online image] Available at: https://www.cavern.gov.hk/Sources/Leaflet%20of%20Cavern%20Development%20Draft01h_Page.pdf / fig. 2.14 - HK Cavern Master Plan, 2021 [Image] Author / fig. 2.15 - Fact Sheet: Hong Kong - The Prime Location for Data Centre [Online image] Available at: https://www.cavern.gov.hk/Sources/Leaflet%20of%20Cavern%20Development%20Draft01h_Page.pdf / fig. 2.16 - South Korea’s Naver relocates Hong Kong data centre to Singapore [Online image] Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/4fa8d97e-7231-4459-90ff-3ba3773a3124 / fig. 2.17 - Facebook refused all 202 Hong Kong gov’t user data requests since onset of security law [Online image] Available at: https://hongkongfp.com/2021/06/08/facebook-refused-all-202-hong-kong-govt-user-data-requestssince-onset-of-security-law/ / fig. 2.18 - Why did Google abandon plans to open in Hong Kong? After seven years, a clue [Online image] Available at: https://hongkongfp.com/2020/04/19/why-did-google-abandon-plans-to-open-in-hong-kong-after-seven-years-a-clue/ / fig. 2.19 - Data centre + cable landing stations [Image] Author / fig. 2.20 - Hong Kong: Next Data Hub, 2021 [Image] Author

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/ fig. 3.1 - Mappings in Different Phasing [Drawing] Author / fig. 3.2 - Experiment with Tissue [Image] Author / fig. 3.3 - Mushroom Cultivation [Image] Author / fig. 3.4 - Physical Model [Image] Author / fig. 3.5 - Installation [Image] Author / fig. 3.6 - Projection with Films [Image] Author / fig. 3.7 - Simplified Data Centre Space Adjacency Diagram by Room [Drawing] Author / fig. 3.8 - Behind Data [Image] Author

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/ fig. 3.9 - Proposed Data Centre Space Adjacency Diagram by Room [Drawing] Author / fig. 3.10 - Proposed Data Centre Growth [Drawing] Author / fig. 3.11 - Branch of Possible System Growth Pattern [Drawing] Author / fig. 3.12 - Mycelium Cultivation on Agar Plate [Image] Author / fig. 3.13 - Tseung Kwan O Area 137 Temporary Construction Waste Sorting Facility [Online image] Available at: http://www.skywalker.autozine.org/Place/681_Fat_Tong_Chau/P3.html / fig. 3.14 - Waste Disposal Facilities Managed by CEDD [Image] Author / fig. 3.15 - Reuse of Excavated Materials [Image] Author / fig. 3.16 - Fire Station Fleres, Roland Baldi Architects, 2015 [Online image] Available at: https://architizer.com/projects/fire-station-fleres/ / fig. 3.17 - Hong Kong Old Quarries [Image] Author

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/ fig. 3.18 - Mount Butler Quarry [Online image] Available at: https://droneandslr.com/travel-blog/hong-kong/jardines-lookout-mount-butler-hike/ / fig. 3.19 - Cha Gwo Ling Quarry [Online image] Available at: http://www.weshare.hk/hotyick/articles/2000336 / fig. 3.20 - Lei Yue Mun Old Quarry (Pt.1) [Image] Author / fig. 3.21 - Anderson Road Quarry Site [Online image] Available at: https://news.591.com.hk/detail/26701 / fig. 3.22 - Quarry Pattern [Drawing] Author / fig. 3.23 - Natural Archipelago, Ninepin Group, Hong Kong [Online image] Available at: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3096586/hongkongers-turn-remote-sai-kung-islands-relax / fig. 3.24 - Underground or Submarine Cables Connecting Neighbouring Caves [Drawing] Author / fig. 3.25 - Caves Providing Colocation Services that Share the Same Cloud Network [Drawing] Author / fig. 3.26 - Part of Proposed Machine Archipelago [Image] Author 20/21 MArch Thesis

/ fig. 3.27 - Construction Process [Drawing] Author / fig. 3.28 - Facebook Lulea Data Centre, Sweden [Online image] Available at: https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/inside-facebooks-lulea-data-center / fig. 3.29 - Mushroom Tunnel, Mittagong, Australia [Online image] Available at: https://hkss.cedd.gov.hk/hkss/eng/education/gs/eng/hkg/chapter9.htm / fig. 3.30 - Heat Recovery Process [Image] Author / fig. 3.31 - Growing Pavilion, Pascal Leboucq & Krown Design, 2019 [Online image] Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2019/10/29/growing-pavilion-mycelium-dutch-design-week/ / fig. 3.32 - Mycelium Growth in Agar Plate [Image] Author / fig. 3.33 - Thread-like Properties of Mycelium in Growth [Image] Author / fig. 3.34 - Experiment with Tissue from Mature King Oyster Mushroom [Image] Author

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/ fig. 4.1 - NATURE | DATA [Image] Author / fig. 4.2 - PT. I Map [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.3 - Information Note: SCVA No.30 - Yau Tong, CEDD, 2017 [Online image] Available at: https://www.cedd.gov.hk/filemanager/eng/content_96/27/SCVA_30.pdf / fig. 4.4 - SCVA -30 Yau Tong [Image] Author / fig. 4.5 - TKOIE leaflet, HKSTP, 2016 [Online image] Available at: https://www.hkstp.org/about-us/our-future/dthub/ / fig. 4.6 - Devil’s Peak Fortifications [Online image] Available at: https://droneandslr.com/travel-blog/hong-kong/devils-peak-hike/ / fig. 4.7 - Tin Hau Temple at Ma Wan Tsuen [Online image] Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomosang32jp/35313091176 / fig. 4.8 - Old Quarry Site Structures [Image] Author

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/ fig. 4.9 - GISH N86 - Old Quarry Site Structures, AAB, 2015 [Online image] Available at: https://www.aab.gov.hk/historicbuilding/en/N86_Appraisal_En.pdf / fig. 4.10 -Site [Image] Author / fig. 4.11 - Quarry Activities 1 [Online image] Available at: https://www.devb.gov.hk/tc/home/my_blog/index_id_293.html / fig. 4.12 - Quarry Activities 2 [Online image] Available at: https://www.devb.gov.hk/tc/home/my_blog/index_id_293.html / fig. 4.13 - Lei Yue Mun Old Quarry [Online image] Available at: https://www.hkmemory.hk/MHK/collections/postcard/All_Items/Images/201106/t20110613_34336_cht. html / fig. 4.14 - Rock Surface 1 [Image] Author / fig. 4.15 - Rock Surface 2 [Image] Author / fig. 4.16 - Section Model 1 [Image] Author / fig. 4.17 - Section Model 2 [Image] Author / fig. 4.18 - Branch Components [Image] Author

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/ fig. 4.19 - Sections [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.20 - PASSAGEWAY [Image] Author / fig. 4.21 - Machine Landscape [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.22 - VENTILATION PORTAL [Image] Author / fig. 4.23 - PT. I Plan [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.24 - DATA TUNNEL [Image] Author / fig. 4.25 - Data Tunnel Specifications [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.26 - Regenerative Data [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.27 - LANDSCAPE RESTORATION [Drawing] Author

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/ fig. 4.28 - NEW LANDSCAPE [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.29 - MAN-MADE CONSTRUCTION [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.30 - NATURAL GROWTH [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.31 -TRACES In TRANSISTION [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.32 - SOFTNESS AGAINST ROCK [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.33 - RACKS FOR DATA [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.34 - RACKS FOR MUSHROOM [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.35 - PT. II Scope [Image] Author / fig. 4.36 - PT. II Map [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.37 - PT. II [Drawing] Author / fig. 4.38 - Film Transcript [Image] Author / fig. 4.39 - PT. III Map [Drawing] Author

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/ fig. 5.1 - First Review [Image] Author / fig. 5.2 - First Review Panel [Image] Author / fig. 5.3 - Second Review [Image] Author / fig. 5.4 - Second Review Panel [Image] Author / fig. 5.5 - Third Review [Image] Author / fig. 5.6 - Third Review Panel [Image] Author / fig. 5.7 - Final Review [Image] Author / fig. 5.8 - Final Review Panel [Image Author

2021 MArch Thesis

/ fig. 5.9 - Public Review 1 [Image] Author / fig. 5.10 - Public Review 2 [Image] Author / fig. 5.11 - Degree Show 1 [Image] Author / fig. 5.12 - Degree Show 2 [Image] Author / fig. 5.13 - Projection Card [Drawing] Author / fig. 5.14 - Curation Card [Drawing] Author / fig. 5.15 - Cloud Servers 1 [Drawing] Author / fig. 5.16 - Cloud Servers 2 [Drawing] Author

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BIBLIO GRA PH Y

READI NG S Foucault, Michel, and Jay Miskowiec. "Of Other Spaces." Diacritics 16, no. 1 (1986): 22-27.

Geotechnical Engineering Office, “Long-term Strategy for Cavern Development - Feasibility Study Executive Summary,” Civil Engineering & Development Department, December 2012, https://www.cavern.gov.hk/Sources/Leaflet%20of%20Cavern%20Development%20 Draft01h_Page.pdf Masanet, E. et al. (2020). Recalibrating global data center energy-use estimates, Science, 367(6481), 984-986, https://doi.org/10.1126/ science.aba3758.

May, John. 2019. Signal. Image. Architecture: (everything is already an image).

Medcalf, Richard. “Tseung Kwan O emerges as one of region’s largest technology hubs as data centre investment takes off.” Hong Kong Buzz. 6 September 2019.

Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, “Update on Data Centre Development in Hong Kong,” Innovation and Technology Bureau, May 2020, https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr19-20/english/panels/itb/papers/itbcb1-644-1-e.pdf.

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Sewell, R., R. Shaw, and D.L.K. Tang. 2009. Hong Kong Geology: 400-Million Year Journey. Kowloon, Hong Kong: Civil Engineering and Development Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Van der Velden, Daniel, and Kruk, Vinca. “Captives of the Cloud, Part III: All Tomorrow’s Clouds.” e-flux Journal 50, December 13, 2013.

Wallace, M. I. 2018. Guide to Cavern Engineering (Second Edition). Hong Kong: Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering Dept.

Young, Liam. “Machine Landscapes: Architectures of the Post Anthropocene.” Architectural Design 89, no. 1 (2019): 10-11.

P OD C A ST Charlie Clemoes, Mark Minkjan and René Boer, “#01 Data Space: the Architecture and Impact of Data Centres,” May 18, 2018, in A Podcast on Architecture and the Real World, produced by FA Failed Architecture, podcast, MP3 audio, 0:58:52, https://failedarchitecture. com/podcast/01-data-space-the-architecture-and-impact-of-data-centres/.

Liam Young, “3.2 Building Worlds for Future Storytelling,” 2019, in Future of Film Podcast, produced by Alex Stolz, podcast, MP3 audio, 0:53:00, https://podcasts.apple.com/hk/podcast/3-2-building-worlds-for-future-storytelling/id1213384613?i=1000450342019&l=en Matthias Kohler, Chris Luebkeman and Emina Reissinger, “Episode 7: Resetting Normal | From Digital Fabrication to the Post-Anthropocene,” July 24, 2019, in nextcasts, produced by Perrine Huber., podcast, MP3 audio, 0:25:56, https://www.nextrends.org/blog/2019/7/24/episode-7-resetting-normal-from-digital-fabrication-to-the-post-anthropocene

VI DE O Liam Young. “Worlds Less Travelled. A Video by Liam Young,” Disruption Network Lab. October 22, 2020. Video, 20:12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87_dtBWL2ZA&feature=emb_logo Rem Koolhaas. “Questioning the Future: Rem Koolhaas/AMO at the Guggenheim Museum,” Guggenheim Museum. September 18, 2020. Video, 7:17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87_dtBWL2ZA&feature=emb_logo Stephanie Wong. “Google Data Centre Security: 6 Layers Deep,” Google Cloud Platform.

June 18, 2020. Video, 6:09. https://youtu.be/kd33UVZhnAA.

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OT H E R R E A DI N GS Benjamin H Bratton, ‘Some Trace Effects of the Post-Anthropocene: On Accelerationist Geopolitical Aesthetics’, E-Flux Journal, 46, June 2013, pp 1-12 Faramelli, Anthony, David Hancock, and Robert G. White. Spaces of Crisis and Critique : Heterotopias Beyond Foucault. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2018.

Goodell, Jeff. The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World. First ed. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company, 2017.

Goodwin, Tom. “The Three Ages of Digital.” TechCrunch, June 24, 2016.

Jandric, Petar. “Post-digital Science and Education.” Education Philosophy and Theory 50, no.10(2018): 893-899.

Mayer Schönberger, Viktor, and Kenneth Cukier. Big Data: A Revolution That Will Transform How We Live, Work, and Think. First Mariner Books ed. Boston: Mariner Books, 2014.

Menga, Filippo, and Erik Swyngedouw. Water, Technology and the Nation-State. Earthscan Studies in Water Resource Management Ser. Milton: Routledge, 2018.

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Palmer, Daniel. “Share and Share Alike: Museums and the Digital Image Explosion.” The Exhibitionist, Jan 6, 2014.

Pearce, Fred. “Energy Hogs: Can World’s Huge Data Centres Be Made More Efficient?.” Yale Environment 360, April 3, 2018.

Ratti, Carlo, and Belleri, Daniele. "Sense and the City: Towards a New Digital Common.” urbanNext, 2017 Srnicek, Nick. Platform Capitalism. Cambridge: Polity, 2017 UCS. “Environmental Impacts of Hydroelectric Power.” Union of Concerned Scientists, Mar 5, 2013

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