Telia Helsinki Data Center World Architecture Finalist

Telia Helsinki Data Center is Finland’s largest data center. Designed by architects Parviainen Arkkitehdit Oy, the energy-efficient building uses only renewable forms of energy. The energy generated by the building provides energy to the surrounding buildings. The project was a finalist in the 2019 World Architecture Festival.

The location of the Telia data center differs from many other large data centers, as it is located in a dense urban environment instead of in a sparsely populated area or in the countryside. This starting point provided us with both a challenging and interesting design task. We paid special attention to energy efficiency, which is partly made possible by its location: the data center uses only renewable forms of energy, it is water-cooled, and the surrounding buildings are heated with surplus energy.

A significant challenge in the design of the building for us was to integrate the architecture of the data center into the urban environment and landscape. The functions of the building require a closed solution, and the area requirements on the plot lead to a clear rectangle form. From this, we wanted to create a look that corresponds to the high technology inside the building.

“The main reason we chose Steni Vision rainscreen panels is that they effortlessly blend in with the cityscape, are sustainable, and require minimal maintenance,” says architect Juha Heiska. “The appearance is one of high quality and durability, and the collaboration with Steni has been seamless,” says Heiska.

Steni delivered approximately 2,000 square meters of the Steni Vision façade panel for this project. In addition to being robust and low-maintenance, Steni rainscreen panels can be adapted to print information, artwork, and identity-creating illustrations for buildings.

“I think the architect used the distinctive and unique properties of Steni Vision panels in a highly effective manner. The result is a customized façade unlike any other in the world,” says Steni’s Marketing Manager, Jan Terje Nielsen.

The Telia Data Processing Center earned a LEED gold rating. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an international certification system for green buildings. To be certified, a building must meet certain requirements relating to sustainability and location, and energy, water, and material consumption, throughout the building’s life cycle.