Equinix DC 21 Data Center

Lighting the Next Wave of Technological Advancement

Artificial intelligence and cloud computing are no longer just emerging technologies. They are actively transforming industries and accelerating the need for massive digital infrastructure. Goldman Sachs projects a 160 percent increase in data center power demand by 2030, alongside a staggering five trillion dollars in funding required to build out the infrastructure and power systems needed to support it.

At the forefront of this surge is Ashburn, Virginia. Located just outside Washington, D.C., this unincorporated community in Loudoun County has earned the title of “Data Center Alley” and is home to the highest concentration of data centers in the world. The area continues to attract intense capital investment and construction activity.

One of the standout developments is Equinix’s DC21. Opened in late 2020, the facility was designed to meet the rapidly rising demand for digital services. It launched with a 95-million-dollar investment and includes plans to grow beyond 124,000 square feet of colocation space.

Reimagining the Data Center Façade

Positioned prominently at the gateway to Data Center Alley, Equinix DC21 holds a highly visible location within Loudoun County. Traditionally, the exteriors of data centers in this region have been described by both residents and local officials as too modest, functional, and utilitarian.

In response, Equinix introduced dynamic architectural lighting at DC21 with the goal of transforming the structure into a civic asset, not just a utility. According to its project application, the lighting installation was designed to “bring a more diverse visibility and positive exposure of data centers within the community, creating a landmark at the entrance to Data Center Alley.” County planning documents echoed this intent, highlighting the desire to make the building more visually engaging and to provide a sense of community benefit: 

Enhanced civic presence

The lighting system creates a more inviting and public-facing identity for the facility, moving beyond the standard industrial aesthetic.

Scenes for Daily and Special Occasions

Programmable scenes allow the façade to shift in color to reflect holidays and causes—for example, red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July, green for St. Patrick’s Day, or pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Additional scenes are tailored for local sports teams and high schools, reinforcing community connections.

A New Aesthetics Standard for Data Centers

As one of the first projects of its kind in the county, officials acknowledged DC21’s lighting initiative could “set a new precedent” for visual design in the region. Industry press noted that the installation “offers a new wrinkle on visual enhancement, echoing colored lighting for buildings like the Kennedy Center or Empire State Building.”

Equinix DC21 now stands as a model for how digital infrastructure can coexist with civic identity to a community built on connectivity.

Dynamic and Responsible Architectural Lighting

GVA supplied a high-performance architectural lighting system comprising 60 FL Series color-changing luminaires. The installation also incorporates advanced light-shaping accessories for precise glare reduction, along with state-of-the-art data communication and control via the PDC-AC.

The system ensures proper reduction of unwanted glare, as well as advanced dimming and scheduling to limit light intensity and hours of operation. According to a photometric study submitted by Equinix, it was demonstrated that measurable illumination did not escape above 85 feet, showcasing the effectiveness of such solutions in limiting impacts to the night sky.

Looking Ahead

The DC21 project establishes a new benchmark for how highly functional buildings can be transformed into vibrant, visually expressive landmarks through thoughtful and responsible use of architectural lighting. As data centers and other infrastructure become increasingly prominent within urban and suburban environments, this project offers a compelling model for future development that integrates utility with design to enhance the built landscape.

Recognition

This project was honored with the Pace Setters Award at the 2025 Signatures of Loudoun Design Excellence Awards. This category “highlights bold, forward-thinking projects” and celebrates buildings and spaces that “push boundaries, challenge assumptions, and help shape the future of our built environment.”

In their remarks, the jury praised the project, stating:

“Equinix DC21 challenges assumptions—elevating data center design through striking façade uplighting that transforms the exterior into a nighttime landmark, merging infrastructure with civic art.”