AI Is Powering a Building Boom

Over the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI) has broken out of the lab and into everyday business. From generative tools to predictive analytics, AI requires massive computing power to function.  That power lives inside data centers, and across the United States, the demand to build them is skyrocketing.

According to Goldman Sachs, AI could drive a 165% increase in data center power demand by 2030. The takeaway is simple: as AI grows, so does the need for stronger, faster facilities to sustain it. To keep up, developers and contractors are turning to precast concrete as the fastest, most durable, and most efficient way to build.

Why AI Is Driving Data Center Construction

AI applications process massive volumes of data that require advanced chips and servers. These components generate more heat, draw more energy, and require precise environmental control. This means that the facilities housing them must be structurally sound, thermally efficient, and built for heavy electrical and mechanical systems.

Traditional cast-in-place construction struggles to keep up with today’s speed and scale demands. Precast concrete can. It delivers the speed, reliability, and flexibility the market now expects. By manufacturing panels off-site while foundations are prepared, site and plant work can happen at the same time, allowing projects to move from concept to completion significantly faster than traditional methods. This streamlined process helps data centers come online faster, reducing overall construction schedules and minimizing downtime for clients eager to meet growing AI demand.

Precast Concrete: Built for Performance and Speed

According to McKinsey & Company, “in the United States, data center demand could grow by 20 to 25 percent per year” by 2030. Meeting that demand requires smarter, faster, and more resilient construction. Precast concrete delivers on all fronts.

• Durability and Security: Precast provides fire resistance, storm protection, and structural longevity, essential for protecting multi-million-dollar technology investments.
• Thermal and Acoustic Benefits: The mass of precast concrete stabilizes internal temperatures and minimizes noise, both critical in facilities packed with sensitive electronics.
• Quality and Consistency: Controlled production environments ensure every panel meets exacting standards, reducing on-site rework and accelerating schedules.
• Labor and Supply Chain Efficiency: Precast minimizes the need for large on-site crews and mitigates delays caused by skilled labor shortages.
• Sustainability: Less waste, fewer on-site emissions, and recyclable materials align with corporate ESG goals and community expectations.

Designing for Expansion and Adaptability

AI technology is evolving quickly and so should the data centers that support it. Precast systems are inherently modular, allowing for future expansion or phased construction without disrupting operations.

We’re also seeing more multi-story designs in the U.S. as land near major power and fiber routes becomes more valuable. Our precast systems offer the strength and span capabilities needed for these heavier, more compact facilities, whether the project involves stacking levels upward or expanding outward.

Meeting the Moment

As AI accelerates, the demand for precast concrete data centers is redefining how America builds its digital backbone. Data center owners need facilities that go up fast, perform flawlessly and last for decades.

At ATMI Precast, we build for that future. Our thermally efficient insulated wall panels, precise connections, and ability to integrate architectural and structural systems make us a trusted partner for AI-ready data centers. Whether delivering a full precast structure or integrating precast elements into a steel frame, we provide the strength, accuracy, and dependability needed to protect essential infrastructure and keep projects on schedule As Promised.

“As technology evolves, the demand for mission-critical data centers will only continue to grow. ATMI Precast is proud to have contributed to more than 30 data center projects in the past four years, delivering the strength, efficiency, and precision these facilities require.”

Want to learn how ATMI Precast supports mission-critical data center projects? Read our blog.

Mission-critical data centers are the backbone of our digital world, housing the servers, hardware, and software that power everything from cloud storage and financial transactions to streaming services and gaming. These facilities are not just commercial buildings; they are high-stakes environments where security, durability, and efficiency are non-negotiable. With millions of dollars in equipment inside, data centers require structures that can withstand both the elements and the test of time.

That’s where precast concrete comes in. ATMI Precast provides sturdy, durable solutions designed to protect mission-critical infrastructure. Our thermally broken panels help maintain optimal interior temperatures, ensuring energy efficiency and reliability. And because function doesn’t have to come at the expense of form, our wide selection of finishes allows for architectural flexibility, delivering an eye-catching exterior without sacrificing performance.

In this blog, we’re highlighting three major data center projects where ATMI Precast played a crucial role in providing strength, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. These three projects are a small preview of how our expertise helps keep the digital world running – safety and securely.

Project Spotlight

Project A

For this mission-critical project, ATMI Precast was key in constructing a five-building data center complex, designed with future expansion in mind – allowing for an additional five buildings in Phase 2. Over the course of two years, we supplied and installed thermally broken precast panels to enhance energy efficiency and structural durability, complete with an architectural finish.

One of the unique aspects of this project was the integration of 2,000 electrical embeds directly into the precast panels. By casting the electrical conduits within the walls, we eliminated the risk of exposed wiring, enhancing safety, reducing potential damage to key components, and creating a cleaner, more streamlined design. This approach improved functionality and reinforced the reliability and longevity required for a data center complex of this scale.

Project B

This seven-building, 200,000-square-foot-per-building footprint data center complex project pushed the limits of efficiency and execution. While most projects of this scale take 18 months to 2 years, ATMI Precast completed it in just 9 months – a remarkable feat given the complexity and precision required.

From design and fabrication to erection and field services, our team handled every aspect of the precast process. With 3,500 precast pieces used in construction, this was a massive undertaking that required careful coordination and execution. Despite the tight timeline, the project was a resounding success, demonstrating the power of precast efficiency, expertise, and teamwork in mission-critical construction.

Project C

This single-building data center project came with unique challenges, as it was built on a brownfield site – a location with an existing industrial building. Unlike a blank slate, brownfield sites require careful planning to navigate pre-existing infrastructure and systems, adding layers of complexity to every construction phase.

The site’s location presented its own challenges, with tight logistics, which meant limited space for trucks and equipment. This required precise scheduling and phased execution to keep the project on track. Despite these obstacles, ATMI Precast delivered a seamless, high-performance solution, proving that even the most constrained sites can be transformed into mission-critical facilities with the right expertise.

Within Every Project, A Lesson

As technology evolves, the demand for mission-critical data centers will only continue to grow. ATMI Precast is proud to have contributed to more than (30) data center projects in the past 4 years, delivering the strength, efficiency, and precision these facilities require. We understand that protecting the technology inside starts with building a secure foundation, and we’re committed to delivering comprehensive solutions tailored to the unique needs of each project. As promised.

ATMI Precast would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our customer, Mortenson Construction, for our participation in the Facebook Data Center in DeKalb, Illinois. Mortenson Construction has been a solid construction partner throughout the project. This project began with our Sales/Estimating department in 2020 and ultimately a project award for Buildings 1 and 2. Subsequently, we were awarded Buildings 3, 5 and 6 in 2022.

Our ultimate project included manufacturing and erecting thermally broken architectural precast panels that were non load-bearing clad to a steel frame. This panel ultimately performs as the exterior wall panel barrier for the Data Centers and Link Buildings. These panels include an architectural concrete mix with a light abrasive blast, nonconductive glass fiber wythe connectors, fully insulated, multiple electrical embeds, and numerous openings for mechanicals.

ATMI Precast is proud of our Engineering, Project Management, Erection, and Production personnel for their commitment to quality throughout this three (3) year period.

In order to provide prospective of this project, here are some specific details:

• 423,000 SF of insulated precast wall panels
• 1,617 precast panels
• 2,133 electrical embeds
• 1,508 truck loads
• 120 days of erection
• 16 separate mobilizations
• 187,042 LF of caulk
• 67,208 wythe connectors

Mortenson Construction is the General Contractor, Sheehan Nagle Hartray are the Architects, and this project was erected by our sole erector, Waubonsee Development. Full completion of this project is expected by late 2023.