Image Courtesy: X
Meta is turning to an unconventional construction strategy as it races to expand its artificial intelligence infrastructure, building large tent-like structures to house data center equipment in a bid to dramatically reduce deployment times.
The company has erected six so-called “rapid deployment structures” outside New Albany, Ohio, according to findings shared by Cleanview founder Michael Thomas, who tracks data center developments. The temporary-looking facilities are designed to accelerate construction and bring computing capacity online faster than traditional data center builds. The project’s scale and progress became visible through satellite imagery and permit records reviewed by Thomas.
City permits indicate Meta began constructing five structures, each spanning roughly 125,000 square feet, between April and June. Satellite images show the buildings have already been completed, highlighting the speed at which the company is expanding its AI infrastructure.
The approach mirrors tactics previously used by Tesla, which famously erected temporary structures at its Fremont factory during the rapid production ramp-up of the Model 3. Meta’s Ohio site also reportedly relies on 200 megawatts of nearby modular gas turbines for power, a strategy that has gained popularity among AI companies seeking quick access to energy for large-scale computing operations.
The facilities are expected to house advanced AI hardware worth billions of dollars as Meta continues investing heavily in artificial intelligence development. The company is engaged in an increasingly competitive race with rivals to build the computing infrastructure needed to train and operate next-generation AI models.
The expansion comes as Meta faces pressure to deliver new AI products. Recent reports have suggested delays in making some of its latest AI models available to developers, despite the underlying systems reportedly being completed.
Meta has previously said it plans to spend as much as $145 billion on data centers and other capital expenditures tied to its AI ambitions. The use of rapid deployment structures could help reduce costs and accelerate timelines as demand for computing capacity continues to grow.
