Kao Data has shared plans for a ‘desert data centre’, designed by Kao Academy participant, 11-year-old Jasmine Wales.

The design, which incorporates sustainability, biodiversity and energy efficiency features, was chosen as the winner of the Kao Academy competition, which challenged 7–11-year-olds to design a data centre.

The academy worked with the Cambridge Science Centre and schools across the Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Essex areas, encouraging key-stage 2 students to submit data centre designs to win £150 worth of LEGO.

The winning ‘desert data centre’ design was created by 11-year-old Jasmine Wales from Ely, Cambridgeshire. It incorporates such sustainability features as a condensation pit to harvest water for the building, one way glass to reduce the amount of energy needed to power the facility, and solar panels to make it more energy efficient. The design also features walls that promote biodiversity while at the same time reducing heat levels inside the facility.

Some of the quirkier features of the design include spiky cacti on the external sides of the data centre to deter intruders, a snake-pit encircling the site for an extra layer of security, topped off by security cameras and biometric technologies.

“I have seen lots of new buildings which are full of concrete and have no space for nature, so I wanted my design to help wildlife and the environment,” said Jasmine.

“I chose the desert as it’s an interesting idea and so that I can add some features for that location, like the solar panels and snake pit. I’m very passionate about sustainability, and we are all part of nature and shouldn’t make, build, or do things that would harm it. My design includes lots of ways to offset the impact that a data centre could have on the environment.”

“We loved Jasmine’s design for her desert data centre. Not only had she tailored the data centre to fit within the hot, dry surroundings, but she had also shown how she could use the desert’s own unique climate and ecology to better power and protect the facility,” said Adam Nethersole, VP, Kao Data.

“It’s the perfect combination of a futuristic data centre development being designed and built in-harmony with its natural surroundings, and the snake-pit is a touch of genius.”

First launched in May 2022, Kao Academy was created in collaboration with Cambridge Science Centre to engage primary and early secondary school-aged children with the purpose and role of a data centre.