The main body of the building, which serves as a data processing and storage center, is rectangular and functions as the data center and supporting infrastructure. The protruding limestone core elements complement the clean, rectangular volume and include elements such as elevators, stairs, utility closets, restrooms and entries. “We desired a clean and simple aesthetic,” said architect Jim Kehoe of Arcturis in St. Louis. “We wanted to create a more visually appealing building within the non-descript landscape along the highway. We used a simple material palette and forceful geometry to breathe significant qualities and identities into the building.”
Finding the right limestone for the building cores and front entrance was a process that took into account aesthetics, practicality and cost. The first limestone that the architect looked at was Indiana limestone. “This limestone was a fairly typical stone used on more traditional buildings like many university structures,” said Kehoe. “Panels of the Indiana limestone were looked at, but the thickness needed were so great, it seemed overkill to the building’s structure. We also preferred a stone with a high modulus of elasticity for greater durability.” The next stone that was considered was an Alabama limestone, but the issue of cost came into play. It would have been specified much thicker similar to the Indiana stone and the product cost more per square foot than the 1 1⁄4-inch-thick Portuguese Gascogne Blue limestone, and therefore, not as cost effective, according to the architect. The limestone was supplied by Global Granite & Marble of St. Louis.