Milan Data Centre Campus
Bryden Wood is delivering one of Italy's largest data centre campus – the first in a new generation, built on a reference design that scales without compromise.
We are at the forefront of designing one of Italy’s largest data centre campuses – a 52MW programme for one of the firm’s longest-standing clients, with engagement beginning in 2020. The first facility, a 19.2MW hyperscale data centre, was led by Bryden Wood from RIBA Stage 1 masterplanning through to construction, including Direzione dei Lavori and Direzione Operativa. Since then, Bryden Wood has delivered full Stage 1–4 designs for two further facilities, with the wider campus masterplan extending to 52MW across five buildings.
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A proven Reference Design, localised for the Italian market – enabling rapid masterplanning, phased delivery, and consistent quality control across a 52MW campus.
Bryden Wood’s involvement in the Milan Data Centre Campus began in 2020 with the design of a 19.2MW hyperscale facility – one of the largest data centre campuses in Italy. Bryden Wood led the project from early RIBA Stage 1 masterplanning through to construction, fulfilling the roles of Direzione dei Lavori and Direzione Operativa under Italian planning and construction regulations. Since then, Bryden Wood has delivered full Stage 1–4 designs for two additional facilities of 24MW and 12MW, with the wider campus masterplan including two further 24MW buildings developed to RIBA Stage 2.
A central feature of the project is the deployment of the Reference Design that Bryden Wood had previously developed for the same client. Applying this design to the Milan campus enabled rapid masterplanning, accelerated early-stage design, and consistent quality control across facilities. Prefabricated, repeatable components streamline construction and reduce risk – but localisation was required, primarily in the structural system. Adapting the Reference Design to a precast concrete structural solution brought it into alignment with Italian market conditions and local supply chain capabilities, while preserving the efficiency gains of the original approach.
Phased delivery has been central to the programme strategy. The Shell and Core for each facility is erected at once, with internal fit-out delivered in three phases – a sequencing that allows an early start on site and significantly compresses the overall programme. Bryden Wood also led engagement with the local municipality throughout the project, navigating a complex permitting process that included negotiating the removal of a strip of roadside trees. Working closely with specialist arboriculturists and local authorities, Bryden Wood preserved as many trees as possible and ensured sustainable replacement for those that had to be removed.
This long-term, ongoing programme demonstrates Bryden Wood’s ability to operate across every scale of a data centre project – from strategic masterplanning and local authority liaison to detailed design and construction delivery – in one of Europe’s most complex and rapidly growing data centre markets.
The Milan Data Centre Campus is evidence of what a long-term client relationship and a proven Reference Design can achieve. By combining design consistency with careful localisation, Bryden Wood is delivering one of Italy’s largest data centre campuses – at pace, at scale, and with full accountability from masterplan to operation.
