New administration building in Lefdal Mine Data Centers

17th December 2024

Lefdal Mine Data Centers (LMD) can look back on a year with solid growth in terms of turnover, but also in the number of employees. In a few months, we will round 40 employees and the number is expected to rise to 50 by the end of 2025. During periods of high construction activity, between 60-80 people are present at the site every day, both employees, customers and subcontractors. The need for new offices in Lefdal is therefore great, and during the spring the construction of a modern and efficient administration building will start.

Why a new building

"LMD has signed major contracts in 2024 that make development both possible and needed. We build to ensure good working conditions for our employees, but also to safeguard strict security requirements both internally and from our customers. Naturally, this sets some guidelines for the building and the future. When we now build a new building, there is a great focus on facilities related to security. A large part of the area on the 1st floor has been set aside for security measures with a good flow for customers, suppliers and guests on arrival and check-out, says Frode Strømmen, Chief Operations Officer at LMD.”

Several of the customers have own resources stationed in Lefdal, and next year the number of such external employees will increase. There may be a need for future expansion and the building is therefore designed to handle different expansion solutions.

Sustainability

"LMD plans to reuse the heated water from the cooling system to heat the building. In addition, we are looking at the feasibility of establishing solar cell systems on the roof surfaces. With this, we continue our environmental profile as one of the greenest data centers in the world to also apply to our office facilities, says Emma Midthjell Solibakke, project manager at LMD.”

Local resources

“We use local contractors and suppliers at all levels as far as possible. It is important for LMD to contribute to local employment and value creation. UNU will be the turnkey supplier of the 1000 m2 building, designed by NTC Architects. We are privileged to have such high-level expertise in our local area, says Frode Strømmen."

"We greatly appreciate the trust LMD has shown us in the process of developing the project. UNU has high ambitions for the project, and we look forward to working on the assignment in collaboration with LMD. Our goal is to deliver a building that combines functionality, durability and quality – a building that meets today's needs and future requirements. We are proud to launch this project at the start of the new year says Rune Sætren, CEO of UNU.”

"Our focus for this project has been to create an office building that is both functional and inspiring. The design has been developed with a balance between esthetics, user experience and context. The building's shape, footprint and facade reflect and support the surroundings and existing control rooms. Today's situation creates a unique, modern, but timeless architecture, says Vicente Ferrando, CEO NTC Arkitekter.”

A building for the future

The new administration building will further lift LMD, provide positive ripple effects in terms of increased activity for local subcontractors and strengthen its position as an attractive and innovative workplace.