Meta’s data centers are the physical backbone – the home base – for the most widely used technologies in the world, connecting billions of people daily. Behind the digital magnitude of these data centers is a superior infrastructure that requires intense coordination, watertight and airtight construction and exceptional craftsmanship.
As part of a multi-building data center campus in Huntsville, Alabama, IWR was selected to deliver a complex, highly technical building envelope system across the data centers and office buildings. With a total contract value of approximately $23.3 million and more than 564,289 square feet of materials installed, this was one of IWR’s largest and most intricate builds to date. The project included foam panels, single-skin metal panels, coping flashing, perforated aluminum panels and stainless steel wire mesh accents, architectural metal (ACM) cladding and custom louvers.

Data centers have unique demands. For Meta, ensuring the protection of its equipment housed inside data centers is just as important as visual appeal. Every building containing computer servers, networking equipment and cooling systems must meet strict air and water tightness thresholds.

“Meta’s server buildings, or data centers, require more than the installation of foam panels to ensure air and water tightness,” Jeff Bange, IWR Project Executive, said. “Normally, foam panels are your line of defense, but flexible flashing takes it a step further. It involves closing every joint – horizontal, vertical, from the corners and top of the building to the base of the wall. IWR was prepared to go above and beyond for the project to create a fully enclosed system that’s safe from the elements.”

The data center project stands out for its scale and the level of detail and coordination required. IWR’s experienced union workforce executed the task with exceptional skill and consistency, often working around evolving site constraints such as delayed access to storage areas or late-arriving components. Through proactive planning, the team maintained momentum without sacrificing quality. As a result, IWR completed the project on time and under budget.
IWR’s long-standing relationship with general contractor Holder Construction was also key to the project’s success. Holder and IWR have partnered on multiple projects in the Huntsville area over the years, building a shared understanding of expectations and communication.

Beyond construction, IWR engaged with the Huntsville community through charitable outreach, including the donation of 110 bicycles to children in local shelters – reflecting Meta’s broader mission to support communities surrounding its data centers.

Elements such as architectural cladding, perforated aluminum and stainless-steel mesh added to the aesthetics of spaces, like the office building. However, the sealed, weather-protected envelope on the Huntsville data centers is the true signature of this IWR project.