Caverion to deliver Aalto University’s data center project in Finland. The aim is to responsibly and sustainably safeguard the scientific computing capacity essential to the University’s research

Caverion will deliver a data center project on Aalto University’s campus in Otaniemi, Espoo, Finland. The office and maintenance building completed in 1968, along with its extension completed in 1982, was originally built for the needs of the Otaniemi caretaker organisation. The protected building is part of the campus ensemble designed by Alvar Aalto’s architectural office.

The building will undergo a comprehensive renovation to become an energy-efficient and modern data center. The aim is to responsibly and sustainably ensure the scientific computing capacity that is vital for the University’s research. Waste heat generated by the equipment will be recovered and utilised for heating other buildings on the campus.

Caverion is responsible for the design and implementation of the data center infrastructure, including cooling, electrical, HVAC and automation systems, as well as the interior construction of the data center. The company will also deliver the building automation system, which supports control room operations and the management of the entire data center infrastructure. The project will be carried out under a design-and-build (DB/KVR) contract model, with Caverion acting as the main contractor for the data center project.

Delivering critical facilities with Finnish expertise

In selecting its design and construction partner, Aalto University required strong expertise and experience in data center construction. Caverion’s selection as the design-and-build partner highlights the high level of Finnish expertise in data center construction as well as the high standards of safety and quality. Data infrastructure is a rapidly growing market segment and a key element of Caverion’s strategy.

“I would like to thank Aalto University for its trust. It is an honour to deliver a data center serving the needs of world-class research. Caverion has a strong position in Finland as a partner for demanding industrial and infrastructure projects. Our company has participated in ten data center projects as well as dozens of other technologically advanced industrial and infrastructure projects that require exceptionally high safety and quality standards,” says Riku Mandelin, Head of Building Systems at Caverion.

“The data center is an essential part of Aalto University’s scientific computing and research infrastructure. It is important to us that the data center operates reliably, supports high-quality research and functions in a sustainable manner,” says Mikko Hakala, who is responsible for scientific computing services at Aalto University.

A reliable and energy-efficient data center

The data center’s cooling system is implemented as a comprehensive solution with backup systems. Primary cooling is based on Fortum’s district cooling network. The backup cooling system ensures the operational capability of the data center even during potential disruptions.

Special attention has been paid in the design to ensuring operational reliability even in disturbance situations, and the redundant electrical system safeguards the operation of the data infrastructure under all conditions.

Technical works will commence in April–May 2026, with completion planned for February 2027. The overall electrical capacity of the facility is approximately 2 MW, making it technically comparable to a mid-sized data center.

Photo: Aalto University, Mikko Raskinen

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