A new data center campus and tape library is being proposed in Sydney, Australia.
According to the New South Wales planning site, Cundall Johnston and Partners is planning a data center campus at 3 Davis Road in the Wetherill Park area of North Sydney.
Known as the David Road Data Center or “Project Blue Tongue,” the project will comprise the construction of two three-story data center buildings, a two-story tape storage building, and an on-site substation from Transgrid.
Each data center (DC-01 and DC-02) will offer a total of 80MW (66MW IT load) across 19,550 sqm (210,435 sq ft) of gross floor area (totaling three data halls) and 33 backup generators. The site will use direct evaporative cooling (DEC) with outside air economization, and no mechanical cooling system involving chillers and refrigerants will be used for the data halls.
The tape storage building will total 466 sqm (5,015 sq ft) across two data halls. It will consume 850kW (430kW IT load) and feature one backup generator.
An end user for the site hasn’t been named.
The site is currently home to a 44,600 sqm (480,070 sq ft) distribution facility known as the Reservoir Distribution Centre and home to two tenants. The area is surrounded by other industrial buildings.
The site would connect to existing NBN and Telstra fiber lines. A further four new private telecommunications connections are proposed.
Documents suggest the buildings will feature a “unique color scheme inspired by Blue Tongue lizards,” transitioning from dark at the base to lighter shades as they ascend. Plant and equipment will be covered with metal mesh veils, creating "intriguing light and shadow effects" that vary in transparency from base to top.
“The design draws inspiration from Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" album cover, using dichroic film within glass to create a subtle daytime light display and enhancing it at night with solar-powered LED lighting,” according to planning documents.
According to the NSW site, the application, environmental impact statement, and accompanying documents are on exhibition until Monday, April 15.
