The strong construction boom in data centers is driving interest in industrially manufactured concrete elements. Precast construction offers speed, safety, and cost-effectiveness for projects with tight schedules and high technical requirements. Over the past year, Consolis Parma has been involved in nearly 20 different data center projects in Finland.

Growing digitalization, the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence, and the increasing use of cloud services have boosted the need for new data centers in Europe and Finland. Construction companies are meeting this demand by increasingly utilizing precast concrete elements in the foundation, frame, wall, and slab structures of data centers. In addition, the infrastructure required by data centers increases the use of precast concrete elements in projects, for example, in protective ducts for cable runs.

Data center projects are characterized by large-scale investments, shared design responsibility between the client and the contractor, and extremely tight implementation schedules. For this reason, the expertise, sufficient resources, and delivery reliability of construction partners play a key role.

Over the past year, Parma has been involved in data center projects in regions such as Uusimaa, Päijät-Häme, Kymenlaakso, South Karelia, South Ostrobothnia, and Kainuu. In addition, numerous negotiations regarding new data center sites are currently underway.

Building data centers quickly and sustainably with precast concrete

The undisputed advantage of precast concrete elements is a fast construction schedule. The elements included in the CONSOLIS TecnyData solution, which are manufactured at the factory, are delivered to the construction site ready for installation, which shortens construction time and reduces the amount of work required on-site. At the same time, construction quality remains consistent regardless of weather conditions.

“In data center projects, every month counts. With precast concrete elements, the building envelope and load-bearing structures can be completed quickly, allowing the installation of technical systems to begin earlier,” explains Satu Parikka, Sales Team Manager.

“Fire safety and structural durability are also significant factors in material selection. Data centers house critical infrastructure, which is why these buildings must meet high safety standards. Concrete structures naturally offer good fire resistance and protection against external threats,” Parikka notes.

“Sustainability considerations also influence material choices. We have long been developing increasingly low-carbon products and solutions that help reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects. Furthermore, in prefabricated element production, material usage can be optimized more precisely than in traditional on-site construction,” Parikka points out.

Additional services that can be included in Parma’s data center deliveries include design and on-site services ranging from installation to the casting of element joints. By involving Parma’s professional bid planning team early on, the project’s design solutions are optimized, ensuring smooth precast production and on-time deliveries.

Parma’s network of factories extends from the southernmost part of Finland all the way to the north of Oulu. This enhances delivery reliability throughout the country as international technology companies seek new locations for their data centers. Concrete element solutions that can be implemented quickly, are of high technical quality, and have proven their effectiveness in real-world projects can help strengthen Finland’s position as an attractive data center market.

Data center construction is projected to remain brisk in the coming years, which will also keep demand for precast concrete elements in these projects at a high level. In particular, precast construction is expected to strengthen its position in large server halls and critical infrastructure sites.

Read more about Parma’s data center solution here.