A marvel of Brutalism by some, a monstrosity by others. An awesome building, in a brutal sort of way, by me. Vertical. Massive. Minimal. Windowless. It looks the same from every angle. It looks like a CGI fortress.
Not surprisingly, it was featured in Mr. Robot Season 2 plot. Even less surprisingly, it became the subject of an investigation by The Intercept, where the idea that parts of the building may used as an NSA surveillance hub was explored. Sounds plausible but we will probably never know for sure.
What we do know is that it was built for the AT&T Long Lines to house switching equipment. Although AT&T has now moved some of it to another building nearby, the monolith is still in use for telephone switching, but also as a highly secured data centre facility.
What I would like to know, is how does it feel to spend one’s working days in a windowless, fortified environment among cables and servers, with zero access to natural light? It takes a certain type of person, doesn’t it?
Adding to the layers of mystery, the AT&T building has also been the subject of a short film by Field of Vision, “Project X“. Interestingly, it was narrated by Rami Malek (of Mr. Robot) and Michelle Williams.
January 29th, 2017
The Humble Fabulist 
No window at all?
LikeLike
Not a single one! The openings you see are for the ventilation shafts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would die
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’ t say about the cables and the servers as I have no experience. But as I am electro-sensitive, I would not like it. About the absence of windows, I can say : I have had a number of meetings in blind rooms. It does not matter what time it is, I always feel it is 8’o clock at night !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, that’s one place you should never get a job at, Gil! Yes, I’ve had meetings in windowless rooms too and couldn’t agree more. Imaging having such a meeting for 8 hours a day. Every day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Be light in your life, The Humble Fabulist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An ugly thing not worthy of being called a building. It fits with at&t’s “Death Star” logo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha I hadn’t made the connection… now I’ll look at at&t in a new light! But the structure and the whole mystery around it fascinate me so!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes,creepy…. lugubrious…. lifeless…. reminder of Death Stars
LikeLiked by 1 person
But who knows what it’s hiding inside! This antithesis (or the idea of it) fascinates me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’ t allege about the cables and the servers as I give no experience. Imaging having such(a) a get together for 8 hours a day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The horror! We’d end up insane!
LikeLike