Steel Shortage? Carbon Emissions? Construction Timelines? Could Mass Timber Data Centers be a solution?

Data Centers are traditionally built from concrete and steel, Microsoft has adopted a hybrid cross-laminated timber (CLT), steel and concrete construction model.

> Microsoft currently building two mass timber data centers in Northern Virginia. Architect: Gensler / Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
> The 2-storey centers are being build with a steel primary structure sat on top of a concrete base with CLT used to construct the uppers floors.
> Meta: piloting mass timber campuses in South Carolina, Wyoming, and Alabama to also reach net-zero goals.

☑️ Reduction in Carbon Emissions: “The embodied carbon footprint of two new data centers will be reduced by 35% compared to conventional steel construction, and 65% compared to typical precast concrete.” – Microsoft

☑️ Steel Shortage: Surging costs and longer lead times have meant leaders are looking towards alternatives like mass timber.

☑️ Faster Construction: prefabrication, off-site CLT panels accelerates building timelines to meet surging digital demand.