housing a new generation of supercomputers
For one of the leading technically oriented universities in Germany, the University of Stuttgart, Benthem Crouwel Architects and Birk Heilmeyer und Frenzel Architekten are designing a state-of-the-art building that offers efficient and functional accommodation for a new generation of supercomputers.
CUTTING EDGE
Simulation, visualization and Artificial Intelligence have become essential tools for understanding and addressing many of society’s most complex problems nowadays. The High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS) supports large-scale computational research in the Stuttgart region, but also for researchers across Germany and Europe. As home to one of Europe’s fastest supercomputers and a large team of HPC experts HLRS provides essentials tools and solutions for cutting-edge academic and industrial research.
THIRD BUILDING
The new building, HLRS III, will be built east of the existing buildings HLRS1-II. It will be a new addition to the high-quality architecture of the Vaihingen Campus, and will set a new standard in the field of responsible construction: sustainable, energy-efficient, circular and nature-inclusive.
HEART OF THE BUILDING
Everything in the new building serves the server room, the HPC room. The optimal functioning of the servers is the essence of HLRS III. The server room therefore literally forms the heart of the building; a completely obstacle-free space that is surrounded by technical rooms and the areas for employees and visitors.
RESPONSIBLE
HLRS III will be a responsible building. A lot of energy is needed for the servers to function. The residual heat that accumulates is fed into the university's underground heat distribution network. This makes it possible to cover half of the heat demand of the university buildings at peak times. This reduces the energy demand for these buildings. Furthermore, the roof will be provided with vegetation and solar panels.
Additionally HLRS-III will be the first data center to be constructed largely from wood. Wood is a renewable material and stores CO2. Moreover, wood is a warm material and forms a nice contrast with the technology.
The project is commissioned by Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg and realization should take place in 2027.
