2024 Server Farm TOR2.1 Data Center
March 5, 2025
The Server Farm TOR2.1 Data Center is Ontario’s first tilt-up panel data facility, designed to meet rising data storage demands. The project was originally planned for precast panels but switched to fully insulated tilt-up panels due to supply chain delays. This change ensured that construction stayed on schedule while maintaining efficiency and durability.
Site constraints required creative solutions from all team members. Crews cast 49 composite panels, covering 43,542 square feet, on a temporary slab before lifting them into place. A dual-crane operation transferred the panels with precision, overcoming space limitations. Though non-load-bearing, the panels efficiently transferred shear and lateral loads, reducing steel costs while ensuring structural stability.
Several challenges arose, including permit delays and tight site conditions. Careful planning and advanced construction techniques allowed the team to address these issues. A 3D preplanning model optimized panel placement, ensuring a smooth and safe installation process. The highly skilled crew, with an average age of 31, showcased the expertise of the next generation in handling complex builds.
The project garnered significant industry recognition, receiving a prestigious Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) award and earning distinction in the Ontario Builder Awards (Group 3, Innovation Category). These accolades underscore the growing importance of tilt-up construction in advancing modern data center development.
Beyond its technical success, the data center contributes to Ontario’s economy and tech infrastructure. It supports local job growth while setting new standards in construction efficiency. By integrating advanced building methods, the project demonstrates the potential of tilt-up construction in large-scale industrial development.
TILT-UP ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Tilt-Up Achievement Awards were established to honor projects that use site-cast tilt-up concrete to introduce new building types, advance industry technology and provide unique solutions to building programs. Winning entries illustrate the variety, beauty, and flexibility of tilt-up construction.