Anodised aluminium for data centres: Why this façade type makes sense for architects

There has never been a greater demand for new data centres in the UK, but that need comes with serious design challenges. They are large, imposing and resource intensive buildings that are often positioned close to urban centres.

With reports suggesting that up to 100 new data centres are being planned, it’s important they are designed right first time. The UK government and RIBA have launched a national data centre design contest to explore how the nation’s booming wave of new centres could match the ‘civic ambition’ of ‘Britain's greatest infrastructure’.

AI and online safety minister, Kanishka Narayan, announced the contest in June 2026 and stated that future UK data centres must be:

• Resilient
• Sustainable
• Well integrated into the local community

The exterior design of the data centres of the future will play a key role in meeting all three challenges. Choosing the right façade material is therefore of paramount importance for data centre architects, designers and engineers.

Anodised aluminium is a resilient choice for data centre facades

One of the main advantages of anodised aluminium is its resilience in all environments, even the harshest marine locations. Our finishes are resistant to almost all forms of damage, including:

• Corrosion
• Abrasion
• UV and heat damage
• Weathering

An anodised finish can be specified with confidence in all environments in the knowledge it will be durable for the entire lifecycle of the building.

The United Anodisers portfolio includes projects which have proven their resilience for 50 years or more, including in some of the most arduous marine locations. In some cases our anodised aluminium finishes have outlasted the buildings themselves!

This level of durability and longevity is exactly what is needed for the next wave of key national infrastructure: data centres. We are so confident in the durability of our finishes that we can offer a 25+ year lifetime guarantee without the need for maintenance or cleaning.

Sustainability of anodised aluminium for data centre façades

The pure aluminium nature of anodised aluminium offers further sustainability benefits, including:

• Integral finish – No additional materials or plastic layers required.
• Fully recyclable – At the end of the building’s life, the façade can be 100% recycled.

Finally, our anodised aluminium finishes are A1 fire rated. That is a big advantage for any building, but especially for data centres which throw out huge quantities of heat and contain expensive, high-tech systems operating 24/7. We cannot afford fire in any key infrastructure, but especially always-on data centres.

Choosing a façade which does not combust, contribute to the spread of fire or produce smoke or flaming droplets at any point is a clear sustainability benefit which contributes to the safe, long-term operation of your site. It can also make it easier to achieve planning permission and expedite Golden Thread/Gateway 2 approval when designed, specified and installed correctly.

Anodised aluminium can make it easier for data centres to integrate with the local community

Finally, anodised aluminium can make it easier to get the all-important community and social approval needed to progress a data centre project. There is a high level of concern around this building type in local communities. People worry that their local area will be taken over by a giant, unfriendly monolith of a building which looks totally out of place.

Choosing an anodised aluminium façade can help you overcome local objections and achieve planning approval. With a vibrant spectrum of more than 40 colours, you can choose one which:

• Matches local materials and vernacular
• Integrates into the location without overwhelming it
• Becomes a positive addition to the local area rather than an imposition

If none of our existing colours fit your vision, we can help you create a bespoke colour, texture and finish. Once you have chosen the ideal finish, you can rest assured it will be uniform and fade-resistant over its lifespan.

Anodised aluminium is the best choice for new data centres

Specifying a new data centre is a complex task which comes with responsibility – but you can make it easier for yourself by choosing an anodised aluminium finish which is durable, sustainable and can integrate well with the local community.

Contact our team and request a free sample today to see the quality of our finishes for yourself.