Green infrastructure for data centres
Build nature back into your scheme. Viritopia is an end-to-end living wall and green roof supplier for data centre developers and hyperscalers, with a portfolio of tried-and-tested greening solutions.
Delivering green data centres in partnership with
How green infrastructure supports regulatory compliance
Living walls and green roofs introduce nature back into developed land, providing a number of benefits that help data centres comply with the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
Temperature regulation
Vegetation shades the building behind or beneath it, naturally regulating indoor temperatures. Outside of the building, the foliage helps cool the surrounding area, reducing the urban heat island effect.
Energy efficiency
Greenery naturally insulates a building, helping to minimise the need for heating and cooling. This reduces a data centre’s carbon footprint, supports compliance, and can deliver cost savings.
Air quality
Green infrastructure acts as natural air filters, removing pollutants and providing cleaner air. In data centres, improved air quality supports equipment performance and employee well-being.
Carbon capture
The vegetation and soil in living walls and green roofs absorb CO₂. When combined with carbon offset initiatives, they help move your project closer to carbon neutrality.
Biodiversity
Green walls and sedum roofs create new habitats where there would otherwise be none. We design plant palettes that reintroduce native species lost to development and offer habitats for wildlife.
Community engagement
Green data centre construction offers an opportunity to leave a positive impact by educating communities on the benefits of nature and creating a space the community can feel proud of.
Our greening solutions for data centres
With 20+ years of experience, industry-leading products, and insight into the compliance landscape across Europe, we offer the end-to-end service you need in a green infrastructure partner.
Living walls
Viritopia designs, plans, installs, and maintains living walls for data centres across Europe. We offer modular systems that support a range of plant species, wire and mesh systems for climbing plants, and freestanding green walls that sit separate from your façade.
Green roofs
Maximise your data centre’s green coverage with a sedum green roof. Our modular system comes pre-grown (no planting needed), fire-tested, and FLL-compliant, with trays that click together for fast installation.
Sustainability consulting
Sourcing support to meet sustainability regulations, or wish to do something even greater? Our consultants can help you navigate requirements and explore innovative options, like biochar, to maximise your impact.
Green data centre projects
From early-stage strategy to full-scale installation, we’ve helped clients create sustainable data centres. See our recent work.
Equinix Data Centre FR10
More than 50,000 plants with a range of environmental benefits helped this Frankfurt data centre secure planning — and a premium tenant.
Longcross Park Data Centre
Green data centres treat sustainability as a project driver, not an afterthought. At Longcross Park, biodiversity and environmental performance shaped the scheme from the early stages of design.
Union Park
One data centre campus, three uniquely designed buildings, and a modular living wall system that’s adaptable enough to accommodate the aesthetics of each one.
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Data Centre 01
Amongst what was proposed was a variety of native trees, plants and shrubbery to give the site a biophilic and ecological value.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about our green infrastructure for data centres.
Still have questions? Reach out to our team.
What types of green infrastructure do you offer for data centres?
Viritopia offers a range of greening solutions for data centres:
- Viritopia Living Wall System: A soil-based modular living wall that fixes to your façade with five options for build-ups. Offered in polypropylene and steel.
- Viritopia Living Mesh System®: A proprietary metal grid solution that directs the growth of climbing plants across your façade.
- Wire-and-climber systems: Additional green wall solutions, including façade planters and vertical wires.
- Viritopia Modular Green Roof System®: Sedum trays that come pre-grown and snap together for fast and easy installation. Offered in Classic and Lite for weight load constraints.
Learn more about our systems.
Can data centres have both living walls and green roofs?
Living walls can support EED compliance by improving natural cooling, which reduces a building’s HVAC needs and energy use. For CSRD, they can help reduce your carbon footprint and support biodiversity, which can be reported as part of your sustainability performance. Living walls may also help meet your local planning conditions.
How does greening support EED and CSRD compliance?
Living walls and green roofs can support EED compliance by improving natural cooling, which reduces a building’s HVAC needs and energy use. For CSRD, they can help reduce your carbon footprint and support biodiversity, which can be reported as part of your sustainability performance. Green infrastructure can also help your development meet local planning conditions.
Do you work on data centres in our region?
Our consultants assist with planning and design for projects in any region. We install green infrastructure across the UK and in Germany, and partner with local contractors to offer installation and maintenance in more than 30 countries around the world. View the locations we serve.
How early should we consider greening in the planning process?
We can help before or after your scheme achieves planning, but we’ve found that considering green infrastructure early delivers the best results. Our consultants can walk you through all of the options available and help you choose the ideal materials for your project — potentially saving on costs, construction time, and embodied carbon.
Can a living wall work for our data centre?
Yes. We offer multiple build-up options — such as steel frames and insulation panels — to suit different building types, including designs that support air circulation where needed. Reach out to request a complimentary feasibility report to see what’s possible for your data centre.
Resources for data centre developers
Learn how development firms and contractors across Europe are delivering greener data centres that comply with evolving regulations.
How Data Centres Are Driving Innovation in Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions
Green Infrastructure for Carbon-Neutral Data Centres: Boosting Thermal Performance
The Science of Carbon Sequestration in Ecological Architecture
Work with experienced data centre partners
We understand your industry’s regulatory environment, unique constraints, and fast-paced nature. Reach out to see how living walls or green roofs could work on your development.
