Unleash Creativity: Shape the Sustainable Datacenter for Terakraft

Introduction

Terakraft AS is thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for architects, designers, and students to shape the future of sustainable architecture. As a pioneering Green AI Data Center Operator, Terakraft merges sustainability with cutting-edge technology to redefine the possibilities of environmentally responsible design.

Our flagship facility, a repurposed hydropower plant from 1919, is a testament to this commitment. Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Sauda, Norway, the data center operates entirely on 100% renewable energy and employs innovative solutions like lake water cooling. Now, we’re inviting you to help us enhance this legacy with a visionary architectural redesign.

The Challenge

We are calling on creative minds to design a facade and supporting architectural elements that reflect Terakraft’s core values of sustainability, innovation, and preservation. The design must honor the rich heritage of the hydropower plant while integrating modern Scandinavian aesthetics and eco-friendly principles.

To better interpret the challenge, participants are encouraged to refer to the provided drawing outlining the four parts of the challenge, a user story, and a mood board. These resources are designed to help align designs with the vision and values of Terakraft.

Key elements of the contest include:

1. Facade Redesign: Transform the exterior of the data center with a design that embodies Scandinavian minimalism and uses wood and glass elements.

2. Generator Concealment: Create architectural solutions to seamlessly hide  container generators located between the facility and the lake. To host 40-foot diesel generators, we will rock fill part of the lake (up to 10 m) to extend the area in front of the facade.

3. Wood Cabin: Design a lakeside cabin with:

   1. An indoor infinity jacuzzi, heated using waste heat from the data center.

   2. Changing rooms, showers, and a WC.

   3. A panoramic glass wall offering breathtaking views of the lake.

4. Natural Pool: Develop a pathway from the wood cabin to the lake with stairs leading to a natural pool, surrounded by rocks. This pool will contain warmer water cooled by the data center, creating a unique and eco-friendly experience.

location of the 4 items to design.

4 40-foot diesel generators.

To be noted that for security reasons the Data Center shall be isolated from the rest of the road via fence/wall to prevent unauthorized access to the data center.

For a 3D rendering model of the old facility, refer to the following link where you can download the file in obj, USDZ, gITf or GLB: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/sauda-i-kraftverk-b858a46113c44d06ae04101c43a8a784.

What We’re Looking For

Your designs should:

• Celebrate Terakraft’s identity as a Green AI Data Center Operator.

• Integrate seamlessly with the natural surroundings and use sustainable materials.

• Provide an exceptional experience for clients visiting the facility.

This architectural transformation should embody the essence of the nature and Terakraft: preserving the past, optimizing the present, and innovating for the future.

About Terakraft AS

Terakraft AS is a pioneering Green AI Data Center Operator, focusing on GPU compute infrastructure through its unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. By repurposing historical infrastructure, like our flagship hydropower plant, we combine environmental stewardship with cutting-edge technology to power the future of AI systems.

Our motto, “Power your Future, Today,” reflects our mission to enable businesses to access powerful AI solutions while minimizing their environmental footprint. Sustainability at scale, green innovation, and cultural preservation are the pillars of our operations.

How to Participate

1. Submission Guidelines:

   • Submit a sketch of your design, accompanied by either a brief video describing it or a written description (up to 1,500 characters) explaining how your design aligns with Terakraft’s values.

   • Send your submissions via email to info@terakraft.no.

2. Timeline:

   • Submission Deadline: 10-Feb-2025

   • Winners Announced: 20-Feb-2025

3. Eligibility:

   • Open to architects, students, and design enthusiasts worldwide.

4. Incentives:

   • Winning designs will be featured on Terakraft’s website and in press releases, providing an opportunity to be part of the design of one of the greenest data centers in the world.

   • Winners will receive €1,000 and the opportunity to be part of the final design process for the datacenter in collaboration with Terakraft.

Join Us in Shaping the Future

This is more than a contest; it’s a chance to contribute to a groundbreaking initiative at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and architecture. Let’s redefine what’s possible and create a design legacy that will inspire generations to come.

For inquiries or more information, please contact us at info@terakraft.no.

Power your Future, Today.

User Story: A Prospective Client’s Journey to Terakraft’s AI Data Center

Act 1: The Journey to Sauda

The prospective client arrives at Stavanger Airport, excited and curious about the world-renowned Terakraft facility. The journey ahead is a 2.5-hour drive to Sauda, but it quickly becomes more than just travel—it’s an immersive experience in the heart of Norway’s untamed beauty.

As the client begins their journey, the scenery unfolds with breathtaking views of fjords, endless white forests, and frozen waterways. The surprises along the way capture their imagination—kilometers-long Norwegian galleries carved into the mountains, illuminated with mesmerizing LED lighting, and even underground roundabouts. Electric ferries silently glide across the fjords, transporting cars as if by magic, requiring no tickets and leaving no carbon footprint. The sheer power of nature is undeniable: cliffs rise like sentinels, and frozen expanses stretch as far as the eye can see, contrasting sharply with the subtle hum of sustainable human innovation.

Act 2: Sauda to Hellandsbygd

The final leg of the trip leads through Sauda to the historic Hellandsbygd. The road ascends through rugged terrain, weaving through dramatic gorges and cliffs of dark stone that whisper of a bygone era when miners extracted zinc from their depths. Along the way, the client notices the Peter Zumthor-designed museums commemorating the mining legacy, their minimalist designs blending seamlessly into the stark, natural surroundings.

Peter Zumthor Installation. https://visitsauda.no/allmannajuvet/

Frozen waterfalls cling to the cliffs, glistening in the winter sunlight, but one in particular catches the eye—a shimmering cascade still flowing, its light-blue ice edges evoking the majesty of permafrost. As the road climbs higher, Storlivatn Lake emerges, its surface frozen except for pockets of water fed by melting falls.

In the distance, the client catches their first glimpse of Terakraft’s AI Data Center. Standing like a sentinel of modern innovation, the repurposed hydropower plant commands awe. Its massive structure is both a tribute to a century-old engineering feat and a symbol of the future, housing the formidable “brain” of artificial intelligence powered entirely by nature.

Act 3: Arrival at Terakraft

Upon arrival, the client is struck by the imposing presence of the facility. Videos and pictures had hinted at the juxtaposition of technology and nature, but standing before it, the scale is staggering. The historic architecture and the cutting-edge design fuse effortlessly, embodying strength, sustainability, and innovation.

Giorgio, the CEO, warmly welcomes the client into the reception area. It is minimalistic yet inviting, with Scandinavian touches that radiate warmth against the cold climate outside. Giorgio begins the tour, sharing Terakraft’s vision and values, and the story of the historic building. As they walk through the facility, the client is introduced to the “white hall,” where the powerful GPU racks operate—a mesmerizing display of advanced technology humming with potential. Giorgio explains the company’s vertical integration, from renewable energy sourcing to cutting-edge AI services, leaving the client thoroughly impressed by the dedication and expertise of the Terakraft team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5YqLKbYuC8

Act 4: A Unique Leisure Experience

After the extensive tour, Giorgio invites the client to unwind in Terakraft’s leisure area—a hidden gem powered entirely by waste heat from the data center. The client is provided with everything they need: towels, flip-flops, and swimwear, ensuring a seamless transition to relaxation.

Inside the wooden cabin, warmth envelops them as they step into the indoor infinity jacuzzi. Through a glass wall, the tranquil lake stretches out before them, framed by snowy landscapes. The contrast between the cozy heat inside and the cold outside is sublime, offering a deep sense of tranquility.

Next, the client moves to the sauna, where the stress of travel melts away entirely. Feeling rejuvenated but adventurous, they step out onto the cabin’s balcony, where a ladder leads down to a natural pool. Heated by exhaust water from the data center, the pool offers a surreal experience—floating in warm, glacier-fed water surrounded by icy shores. The purity of the water, combined with its sustainable sourcing, heightens the sense of wonder and appreciation for Terakraft’s integration with nature.

Epilogue: A Lasting Impression

As the visit concludes, the client reflects on the journey, the facility, and the values embodied in every detail. Terakraft isn’t just a data center; it’s a beacon of sustainability, innovation, and respect for history and nature. The experience leaves the client inspired and eager to become a part of this extraordinary vision for the future.

Mood Board

Norwegian Hydropower Plant Ovre Forsland https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/08/norwegian-power-station-ovre-helgeland-hydroelectric-renewable-energy