Data Centers
Precast Data Center Construction
Data centers
Built for the pace of modern data center development
Data center owners need buildings that go up quickly, protect critical equipment and keep performing for decades. Precast concrete answers all three. Components are manufactured in our plants while site work is under way, then delivered and installed in sequence.
Coreslab Structures has designed, manufactured and installed precast concrete since 1975. Today 14 of our 17 plants across the United States and Canada supply data center projects, from insulated wall panels to complete structural systems.
At a glance
- Building system
- Structural and architectural precast concrete
- Typical components
- Insulated wall panels, double tees, columns, beams and flat slabs
- Services
- Design, manufacturing and installation
- Where
- 14 plants serving the United States and Canada
- Experience
- Precast producer since 1975
By the numbers
Our data center experience
Why precast
Why is precast a smart choice for data center construction?
- Faster schedulesComponents are made in the plant while foundations are poured, so the structure and envelope go up quickly once the site is ready.
- Long, open spansPrestressed double tees span long distances with fewer interior columns, leaving clear space for data halls and equipment.
- High load capacityPrecast floors and roofs can be designed for heavy mechanical and electrical equipment.
- Built-in resilienceConcrete is non-combustible and can be designed for extreme wind and impact loads.
- Plant-controlled qualityManufacturing indoors, under controlled conditions, gives consistent components whatever the weather on site.
- Sustainable constructionPlant production reuses forms and keeps waste low, the structure is built to last for decades, and insulated wall panels help reduce the energy a data center uses.Sustainability at Coreslab →
How we work
Partnership starts long before construction begins
Bringing the precaster in early helps the whole team. Here is how a Coreslab data center project typically runs.
- 1Early design inputWe work with the owner, architect and engineer on panel layouts, spans, connections and finishes while the design can still change.
- 2Engineering and drawingsOur team details the precast system and coordinates openings and embeds with the other trades.
- 3Plant manufacturingComponents are cast and finished in our plant in parallel with site preparation.
- 4Delivery and installationPieces arrive in erection sequence and are set in place, so the building is enclosed quickly.
Services vary by plant. Your local Coreslab team will confirm what is available for your project.
Applications
Precast systems for mission-critical facilities
Whether it is a single telecommunications building or a larger campus, precast concrete gives data center teams a durable shell and a predictable schedule.
- Enterprise and colocation data centersStructural frames and insulated wall panels for purpose-built facilities.
- Telecommunications and network buildingsHardened buildings designed for severe weather.
- Insulated building envelopesInsulated precast wall panels that combine structure, insulation and finish in one piece.
- Support and ancillary buildingsEquipment yards, screen walls and associated structures.
Featured project
Ritter Communications Data Center
Completed in 2019 in Jonesboro, Arkansas, this data center was designed to withstand 250 mph winds. Coreslab's Conway, Arkansas plant supplied 44 insulated wall panels, 16 double tees and 2 flat slabs, with architectural form finishes painted in contrasting colours to complement the building's other finishes.
- LocationJonesboro, AR
- OwnerRitter Communications
- ArchitectCTA Architects Engineers
- Precast producerCoreslab (ARK) Inc.
Where we build
Coreslab plants serving data center projects
Fourteen Coreslab plants across the United States and Canada supply precast concrete for data centers. Contact the plant nearest your site to talk through your project.
Keep reading
Continue exploring our data center expertise
Build your next data center with Coreslab
From early design input through manufacturing and installation, our team is ready to help.
Talk to us
Request a consultation
Tell us about your data center project and choose the Coreslab location nearest your site. Your message goes straight to that plant's sales team.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Why is precast concrete well suited to data centers?
Precast concrete is durable, non-combustible and can be designed for extreme wind and impact loads. It is manufactured in a plant while site work proceeds, which shortens the construction schedule, and prestressed components span long distances to leave open floor space.
How does precast speed up data center delivery?
Precast components are cast in the plant at the same time as foundations and site work are completed. Once the site is ready, the pieces are delivered in sequence and installed quickly, so the building is enclosed sooner.
Is precast concrete a sustainable choice for a data center?
Precast is manufactured in a plant, where forms are reused and materials are measured precisely, so waste is low. The finished structure is durable and needs little maintenance, and insulated precast wall panels help reduce the energy needed to cool the building.
What precast components does Coreslab supply for data centers?
Typical components include insulated wall panels, double tees, columns, beams and flat slabs. The Ritter Communications Data Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas used 44 insulated wall panels, 16 double tees and 2 flat slabs.
When should Coreslab get involved in a data center project?
As early as possible. Early input on panel layouts, spans, connections and finishes helps the design team get the most from precast and avoids changes later.
Where does Coreslab build data centers?
Fourteen Coreslab plants across the United States and Canada supply data center projects, including Phoenix, Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, Indianapolis, Omaha, Oklahoma City, Conway, Marshall, Albuquerque, Thomaston and Dundas, Ontario.