The University of Alabama’s High Performance Computing and Data Center project is aimed at developing a 40,000 gross square feet (GSF) data center at 709 Johnny Stallings Drive, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The project addresses the academic and research needs of the university, the Office of Research and Economic Development, and strategic partners. The HPC center is designed to support a wide range of research, workforce development, and economic growth in Alabama by providing world-class computing capabilities.

The facility includes two floors, with dedicated space for computing equipment, UA staff offices, work spaces, and a future secure suite. The building is designed to support scalable expansion and future growth of both the computing infrastructure and support systems. An adjacent electrical substation of approximately 22,500 GSF will provide power capacity for current and future operations.

Scope and Objectives

The primary objective is to develop a state-of-the-art HPC facility that supports the needs of scientific, industrial, and societal advancements through high-computing capabilities. The center will facilitate research in water security and hydrology, with a focus on water quantity and quality consistent with the portfolio of the Alabama Water Institute and its federal partners. 

Additionally, the center will focus on the portfolio of the Alabama Transportation Institute, with a focus particularly aligned with the Alabama Mobility and Power Center. Other UA centers and institutes will also be a key portion of the HPC portfolio, especially the Alabama Materials Institute, and the Alabama Life Research Institute.

Key aspects of the project include:

• The building is master-planned for 14.6 MW of computing power and will support leadership-class HPC machines.
• Construction of a 2-story facility with 40,000 GSF to house HPC equipment, staff offices, and shell space for future secure suites.
• Dedicated chiller plant and a new electric substation to ensure resilient power supply and uninterrupted operations.

Building Design and Features

The HPC Data Center will be a two-story structure with significant attention to architectural aesthetics and functionality, aligning with UA’s historic campus design principles. The design is based on a hybrid classical and modern concept, utilizing proportion systems and traditional materials. The key components of the building are:

• HPC Data Hall: A two-story space for housing the HPC infrastructure, with the computing machines located on the upper level and supporting infrastructure on the lower level.
• Support Spine: A space running east-west, housing the lobby, office areas, circulation spaces, and mechanical rooms.
• Central Plant: A one-story space dedicated to the cooling plant.

The facility is designed to accommodate future expansion of computing resources, with shell space for an additional secure suite and mission-critical enterprise data center.