KBC Bank & Verzekering aims to provide its customers with first‑class services, including high‑performing digital solutions and secure data storage and transfer. To support this, the financial institution is building two identical sustainable data centers in Mechelen and Heist‑op‑den‑Berg, Belgium.
These facilities must meet the highest standards across several critical areas:
- Security: Data centers manage large volumes of sensitive information and must meet robust security requirements.
- Reliability: The facilities are designed to comply with the TIER III operational reliability standard, ensuring a minimum availability of 99.98%.
- Sustainability: KBC is committed to applying the most energy‑efficient and sustainable solutions available, with sustainability performance tracked continuously throughout both the design and construction phases.
- Biodiversity: KBC aims to increase biodiversity at both sites through targeted design and landscape strategies to support a nature-positive outcome.
- Flexibility: The buildings must be adaptable to future layout and technology changes without requiring major structural modifications.
Energy, cooling, and emissions in data center design
KBC entrusted Arcadis and BAUT Architects with the design of its data center project, with Arcadis managing the full scope from program definition to delivery through its sustainable design services. From the preparation phase onward, measurable energy‑performance criteria and regulatory requirements guide the design approach, ensuring efficiency targets inform key decisions.
From sustainability ambition to design
In addition to defining specific requirements in areas such as ICT, technical systems, construction, and permits, we are applying our integrated approach to sustainable design in this project using our 'ambition web'.
The project delivers a data center design that balances operational performance with positive planet- and people-centric outcomes.
Using Arcadis’ own Biodiversity Net Gain Calculator, biodiversity was assessed before, during, and after the project, with targeted landscape design and maintenance measures implemented to achieve a measurable increase in biodiversity at both sites.
Dynamic simulations were used to optimize thermal comfort and natural daylight, supporting the health and wellbeing of employees. Sustainable mobility is also promoted through bicycle parking and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Combined with energy-efficiency improvements, these measures demonstrate how a data center can achieve measurable efficiency gains while delivering a sustainable design.
KBC is fully aware of our responsibility to society, the environment, and the economy as a whole. That is why our sustainability principles are fully embedded in our corporate strategy, integrated into all our activities, and well established in every part of the organization. With these new, highly energy-efficient data centers, KBC is prepared for flexible capacity growth. We can smoothly integrate new technologies and further strengthen our physical and cyber security.
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