2025 Southwest Best Projects
Award of Merit, Manufacturing: Comarch Data Center
Comarch Data Center
Ariz.
Award of Merit
Submitted by Gensler
Owner Comarch
Lead Design Firm Gensler
General Contractor Weitz
Civil Engineer Wood Patel
Structural Engineer PK Associates
MEP Engineer Swanson Rink
Landscape Architect Colwell Shelor
This $26-million project represents a significant shift in how data centers are conceived and integrated within the built environment. Challenged to meet strict energy compliance codes in a desert climate, the project team implemented passive cooling strategies such as south-facing glazing and custom steel shading louvers on the east and west facades. This helped regulate indoor temperatures and decreased reliance on mechanical systems. The sloped roof channels rainwater into a retention basin, which serves both as a water source for irrigation and a visual design element.
Inside, the technical demands of a high-performance data center are seamlessly integrated with a dynamic, amenity-rich office environment.
Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, which maximize natural light and foster a strong connection to the surrounding landscape, required precise coordination to meet energy performance targets and required precise installation to support views and daylighting. Flexible work areas, lounge spaces, and adaptable conference rooms support a dynamic and versatile work environment that fosters productivity, collaboration and employee well-being.
In the data hall, LED lighting was integrated to provide intuitive wayfinding and to highlight rack capacity, combining functionality with visual impact.
Even mechanical areas were treated with care, balancing technical accessibility with architectural cohesion.
