A new rooftop ‘urban farm’ has been unveiled at the Equinix PA10 data centre, which uses waste energy from the facility to power the farm.

Reid Brewin Architects (RBA) designed and completed the project, which is located on the outskirts of Paris. It comprises a 430 m2 greenhouse, set within a further 570 m2 of green space. The rooftop structures are powered via a heat recovery system with heat exchangers linked to the data centre’s water cooling system.

The greenhouses monitor humidity as well as internal and external temperatures via sensors. Working alongside sunshades, automated irrigation, and ventilation systems, the sensors ensure the greenhouses have a controlled climate year-round.

The project provides space for seasonal fruit and vegetables to be cultivated using a hydroponic system, while the gardens are planted with vegetation chosen specifically to maximise the amount of rainwater consumption.

“It is of increasing importance that we increase our actions and mitigate the environmental impact of an increasingly digital world,” explained John Hutchinson, Director at RBA.

“We’re extremely proud to support our clients with this shared goal, and PA10 heralds the start of an exciting new era, enabling us to apply learnings from this project across other projects. Sustainability and safeguarding the environment are at the heart of everything we do, and this opportunity has already inspired further initiatives across our client base.”