FX.co ★ Unique data centers: blending nature and technology

Barcelona Supercomputing Center (Spain) — IT at the cathedral

The MareNostrum supercomputer, one of the most powerful in Europe, has found a home in an astonishing location. It resides in the former 19th-century chapel of Torre Girona, situated on the campus of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. The server room is encased in a glass cube within the classic nave adorned with high vaulted ceilings. This combination of Gothic architecture and cutting-edge technology creates a unique atmosphere reminiscent of a “digital altar.” The project symbolizes a continuity of knowledge, where complex computations have replaced religious texts.

Bahnhof (Stockholm) — A James Bond-style data center

Bahnhof is renowned for its unconventional approach to space design, and its headquarters in Stockholm is no exception. The interiors of the office and technical spaces are inspired by the aesthetics of spy films: futuristic meeting rooms suspended above server halls and the use of raw stone create an atmosphere of technological avant-garde. The entire project is infused with a spirit of innovation, transforming a typical technical facility into a tourist attraction and a manifesto for digital freedom.

Pionen White Mountain (Sweden) — A sci-fi bunker

The Pionen data center, also operated by Bahnhof, is located 30 meters underground in Stockholm, housed within a former Cold War bomb shelter. Its interior features vibrant jungles, artificial waterfalls, and a massive aquarium filled with seawater. The granite walls are capable of withstanding a hydrogen bomb blast. Powerful diesel engines from German submarines serve as backup power sources. This austere military architecture has been transformed into an eco-friendly space for storing critical data.

Green Mountain (Norway) — A fjord-cooled data center

Green Mountain, a Norwegian data center company, is uniquely situated inside a mountain on the island of Rennesøy, once home to a secret NATO munitions depot. Its main innovation lies in a unique cooling system that uses icy water from the adjacent fjord, resulting in minimal electricity costs. This makes Green Mountain one of the most environmentally friendly data centers in the world, operating with zero carbon emissions. Shielded by hundreds of meters of rock, the facility provides an exceptionally high level of physical security.

Citadel (Nevada, USA) — A solar fortress in the desert

The Citadel campus, located in the Nevada desert, is the world's largest data processing center. This massive complex operates entirely on renewable energy sourced from its own solar power plants spread across thousands of acres. Citadel's architecture is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the desert, and the facility meets military-grade security standards. Citadel showcases how natural conditions can be harnessed in some of the most inhospitable corners of the planet, transforming sunlight into an endless flow of data.

Modular data centers — Agility in a box

Modular data centers housed in standard shipping containers have become a revolutionary solution for rapid IT infrastructure deployment. These "data centers in a box" come fully equipped with servers, power systems, and cooling technology right from the factory. They can be delivered anywhere in the world, including disaster-stricken areas and remote construction sites, and they can be operational within hours. Their mobility makes them indispensable for edge computing and temporary projects, where constructing a permanent building is not feasible.

Kolos (Norway) — Integration into the Arctic landscape

The Kolos project in Ballangen, Norway, strives to be the world's largest data center seamlessly integrated into the harsh Arctic environment. The architectural concept is inspired by the shapes of glaciers and cliffs, enabling the colossal structure to blend into the surrounding landscape. Located above the Arctic Circle, it benefits from natural free cooling thanks to cold air and water. Kolos plans to rely exclusively on hydroelectric and wind energy to minimize its ecological footprint.

Space Data Centers (Lonestar) — Humanity’s lunar backup

The Lonestar Data Holdings project marks a new chapter in information storage history, aiming to establish servers on the Moon. The primary idea is to create a "digital time capsule." Lunar conditions, including vacuum and extremely low temperatures in shaded craters, are ideally suited for passive cooling of electronics. However, engineers face complex challenges in protecting the lunar data center from cosmic radiation and ensuring stable communication with Earth.