Central Saint Martins 
MArch [Architecture Masters] 
Major Project [2023/24] - Part 1
"Glitch Ecology in District 6" is a critical speculative project, set in 22nd-century Texas, investigating possible spatial realities for the future of a Microsoft data centre. Glitch Ecology uses the feminist imagination as a critical tool for storytelling and speculating futures. 

Energy Map of Texas outlining different geological regions, oil and gas activity, drought severity, and solar energy hotspots. 

Part 1 of "Glitch Ecology in District 6" uses cartography as a method for investigating the effect of rising global temperatures and extreme heat across the United States. The project looks at the physical impact of Artificial Intelligence on the landscape of San Antonio, Texas. 

Existing site plan, Microsoft data centre, San Antonio. 

Server components.

Server heat map.

Artificial Intelligence and its impact on the planet. 

Map of Texas, surrounding states, Mexico, and the Gulf of Mexico.

The heat dome effect over Texas and the South-West. 
Satellite imagery with heat map tracking. 

San Antonio's water source: The Edwards Aquifer. 
Underground water reservoir.

City of San Antonio.
Urban heat island map with figure-ground diagram. 

This historical lithograph collage explores the landscape of San Antonio after The Battle of the Alamo in 1836, during Texas’ war for independence from Mexico. The mapping explores the politics of the landscape, the local infrastructure, and water supply. 

Study of heat felt in the West Side of San Antonio using data from Southwest Research Institute and UTSA. The widespread presence of paved surfaces results in an environment that feels much hotter than surrounding areas. The blue represents cool areas and the red represents hot areas. Heat is concentrated in the south-west and east of the city. 

Local area plan showing Rogers Road site, surrounding other data centre sites, and adjacent residential parcels.

Rogers Road aerial view and site images from Google Earth.

Proposition:
Microsoft plans to build two new data centres in San Antonio named SAT80 and SAT81. The company said they would spend $230 million on the project. Microsoft already own eight data centres in San Antonio. 
Will sites such as Rogers Road become obsolete as data centres migrate further from the city centre in search of more space? 
Imagine possible alternative spatial realities for the future of the Rogers Road site. 

Outputs from a speculative game of "Yes...and"

Drawing each of the speculative outputs following the game, showing possible future spatial realities for the site. 

Speculative timeline of possible realities for the site looking 200 years into the future.

Site plan transformed into an Ecological Oasis. 

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