Subterranean Homesick Blues

Harvard GSD Department of Landscape Architecture, Core III

Instructor: Danielle Choi

In a globalized world, it is easy to think of things like “the cloud” as ephemeral and intangible, but data centers are very much physical. They take up space, they use an enormous amount of energy, and, they need to be kept cool. They also require a regional distribution. In industries where milliseconds matter, the closer, the better.

Subterranean Homesick Blues is interested in the preservation of knowledge, both ex-situ, and in-situ.

This project asks how we can utilize a network of abandoned extraction sites to continue to offer a regional economic resource. How can we capitalize on this genre of abandoned extraction site that would otherwise be restored and passively managed? What more can these sites do to generate revenue that can mitigate the effects of climate change and serve as a regional educational resource? And finally, how might an arboretum evolve as a regional and educational resource in our shifting world?

I propose an abandoned extraction site as a data storage solution, as well as a botanical one. As both share the same need for cooling to operate and survive, we can combine a phenomenally lucrative local industry with a fundamentally important one. Together they might create a new working landscape, both of which are dedicated to the storage and preservation of knowledge.

The new botanical archive will draw vulnerable specimens from the Arnold Arboretum (some directly, and some through cuttings), so that we may make observations and derive conclusions as the climate warms. In the future, this will perhaps become a true archive, ex-situ, and subterranean.

PHASE 1

In a globalized world, it is easy to think of things like “the cloud” as ephemeral and intangible, but data centers are very much physical. They take up space, they use an enormous amount of energy, and, they need to be kept cool. They also re… — In a globalized world, it is easy to think of things like “the cloud” as ephemeral and intangible, but data centers are very much physical. They take up space, they use an enormous amount of energy, and, they need to be kept cool. They also require a regional distribution. In industries where milliseconds matter, the closer, the better.
This dymaxion projection shows the global distribution of LafargeHolcim extraction sites, major botanical gardens, and Google Data Centers, the three layers considered in this project.

In this Territorial Drawing, you can see the frequency of extraction sites in Eastern Massachusetts, many of which are reaching the end of their productive lifespan. All the extraction sites shown here are owned and operated by LafargeHolcim, a glob… — In this Territorial Drawing, you can see the frequency of extraction sites in Eastern Massachusetts, many of which are reaching the end of their productive lifespan. All the extraction sites shown here are owned and operated by LafargeHolcim, a global aggregates company.
Because aggregate is so heavy, the industry remains relatively local, even under a large worldwide holding.
So how can we capitalize on this genre of abandoned extraction sites that would otherwise be restored and passively managed? What more can these sites do to generate revenue to mitigate the effects of climate change and serve as a regional educational resource?

And finally, what can an arboretum, highlighted here, be as a regional and educational resource in our shifting world? You can see in this drawing, that the area surrounding the arboretum is particularly at risk for urban heat island effect. The tem… — And finally, what can an arboretum, highlighted here, be as a regional and educational resource in our shifting world? You can see in this drawing, that the area surrounding the arboretum is particularly at risk for urban heat island effect. The temperature is projected to increase 1-3 degrees F by 2050, which will significantly change the types of species able to survive in the arboretum.

There are three collections in the arboretum that are most at risk as temperatures rise: Hemlock Hill, Rhododendron Dell, and the beloved Lilac Collection, all of which require low temperatures to survive.

There is however, a significant temperature differential between the quarry and the surrounding land. And even as the regional temperature increases, the quarry will stay relatively cool. Once the water table is restored, the water will get down to … — There is however, a significant temperature differential between the quarry and the surrounding land. And even as the regional temperature increases, the quarry will stay relatively cool. Once the water table is restored, the water will get down to around 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Swampscott Quarry therefore offers a unique opportunity for migration. As species migrate north or up in elevation as the climate warms, it might also be possible that they could migrate down, into the cooler subterranean environment.

PHASE 2

This image on the left shows a typical terrestrial data center in Oregon, typically requiring an enormous amount of cooling to keep the servers running. They also give off a fair amount of steam as a byproduct. The image on the right shows the … — This image on the left shows a typical terrestrial data center in Oregon, typically requiring an enormous amount of cooling to keep the servers running. They also give off a fair amount of steam as a byproduct.
The image on the right shows the first successful suboceanic data storage project, called Project Natick, which concluded with Microsoft earlier this year. It was a great success, and the consistent temperatures of the water helped save an enormous amount of energy and cost in the data storage process.

Here I have designed a modified version of the project that is designed to remain submerged at the bottom of the quarry, allowing for easier accessibility and optimal cooling.

This flow chart illustrates how that transition could happen under the future East MA Climate Change Task Force. We are currently “here” in the timeline, when the quarry is nearing the end of its lifespan. Because the extraction site remains a worki… — This flow chart illustrates how that transition could happen under the future East MA Climate Change Task Force. We are currently “here” in the timeline, when the quarry is nearing the end of its lifespan. Because the extraction site remains a working landscape for the entirety of its lifetime, it poses an interesting opportunity to prepare the site for the following use, utilizing the earth moving capabilities of LafargeHolcim. Concrete can be extracted and made on site, while the pods can be lowered with existing cranes. Utilizing cooling capabilities would save money, and can go towards covering adjacent operations of the arboretum. This would be a chance for companies to save money, do good, and look good in the process.

Here you can see a direct comparison of the proposed planting in the Swampscott Quarry on the top, and the existing Arnold Arboretum on the bottom. The new botanical archive will draw vulnerable specimens from the Arnold Arboretum (some directly, an… — Here you can see a direct comparison of the proposed planting in the Swampscott Quarry on the top, and the existing Arnold Arboretum on the bottom. The new botanical archive will draw vulnerable specimens from the Arnold Arboretum (some directly, and some through cuttings). You can see the migration between the North slopes at different elevations.

PHASE 3

Here we are at the Arnold Arboretum, bordering Brookline and Boston, off the Greenway, and just West of Franklin Park. My strategy for the Arnold Arboretum is simple: identifying the most at-risk species, and relocating, either through cuttings or a… — Here we are at the Arnold Arboretum, bordering Brookline and Boston, off the Greenway, and just West of Franklin Park. My strategy for the Arnold Arboretum is simple: identifying the most at-risk species, and relocating, either through cuttings or a literal migration, to the new subterranean botanical archive in Swampscott.

Here I have identified a number of lilac cultivars that don’t require a winter freeze to survive, and I’ve introduced these along the lower path, while maintaining traditional cultivars along the upper.

This collection has been reimagined to mimic a mountainous environment encountered in the wild, while focusing on two key conifer species that are responding well to warmer temperatures in New England.

And finally, Rhododendron Dell focuses on mimicking a larger-scale elevation change, while introducing Rhododendron cultivars that tend to thrive in warmer climates. My hope is that as time goes on, we can study how these species fare, and observe t… — And finally, Rhododendron Dell focuses on mimicking a larger-scale elevation change, while introducing Rhododendron cultivars that tend to thrive in warmer climates. My hope is that as time goes on, we can study how these species fare, and observe the interactions in specific planting groups based on elevation and temperature.

PHASE 4

That brings us to the Quarry in Swampscott, Massachusetts, on the North Shore of Essex County. It’s a medium density, middle class city, and the quarry itself is surrounded by the Harold A King Forest to the West, and Salem Woods to the East.This pl… — That brings us to the Quarry in Swampscott, Massachusetts, on the North Shore of Essex County. It’s a medium density, middle class city, and the quarry itself is surrounded by the Harold A King Forest to the West, and Salem Woods to the East.
This plan shows the relationship of the public arboretum on the South and West side of the site, and the private and secure data storage on the Northern side of the quarry. While the public arboretum is regraded with the existing tools on site, allowing for accessible circulation, the northern end is largely untouched, utilizing the existing access roads. The server distribution is determined by suitable employee access as well as the radius of the cranes that will be used to install them. In the middle you can see the Dam and Pedestrian Bridge, controlling water flow, and separating the botanical archive from the data storage.

These Serial Plans to the right illustrate the temperature differential while moving down in elevation, and hints at the different botanical zones that will arise as a result.

While this timeline highlights a different succession, and juxtaposes the multi-century-long process across LafargeHolcim and the Arnold Arboretum, while noting the temperature change across time.

This axonometric diagram illustrates the planting, organized by collection, and then family, focusing on variation in scale.

This brings us to the Northern View, from the Pedestrian Bridge, looking down to the data center, with steam produced by the cooling process hovering in the quarry.

Here you can get a sense of what it’s like to be at the bottom of the botanical center, surrounded by the Hemlocks, looking up to the Lilacs.

This Section Perspective shows a view from the northern side of the pedestrian walkway, immersed in the top of the quarry. As well as providing refuge for plants, the new arboretum will also provide refuge for the public from urban heat island effec… — This Section Perspective shows a view from the northern side of the pedestrian walkway, immersed in the top of the quarry. As well as providing refuge for plants, the new arboretum will also provide refuge for the public from urban heat island effect. Particularly in times like these, when utilizing indoor air-conditioned public spaces for refuge is not advised, a naturally cooled outdoor space could substitute.

And finally, this view of the working landscape shows a worker monitoring the data storage operations, immersed in the landscape, with a view of the dam and botanical center to the south.

My hope is that this rather unusual pairing might come together to create a new working landscape, dedicated to the storage and preservation of knowledge in an inexplicably perfect subterranean environment.

Thank you!