We’re proud to announce that Rio AI City, our partnership with Elea Data Centers, has been shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival 2025, recognised in both the Future Projects – Masterplanning and Future Projects – Infrastructure categories, from a record field of global entries.
A new benchmark for digital districts
This double shortlisting is a testament to a project that challenges the status quo. As Hyphen’s Javier Moya Ortiz, Senior Architect and lead designer for Rio AI City, explains:
“Typically, data centres have been developed as black boxes, usually at the outskirts of the city. With Elea, we want to challenge this model.”
Javier Moya Ortiz, Senior Architect and lead designer
Instead of isolating technology, the masterplan for Rio AI City proposes an open campus of over 30 modular buildings, each one part of a connected district that’s deeply embedded in the fabric of Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro. Designed to scale up to 3.2 GW of AI-powered operations and run on 100% renewable, certified energy, the campus also incorporates hospitality, offices, retail, and public spaces to support daily urban life.
The scalable, modular masterplan is designed for adaptability as digital needs evolve, supporting operational efficiency and long-term value for our partners and the city.
Designed for people, place and progress
From the outset, the project has put human experience and ecological stewardship at its core. “We have put a lot of emphasis on user experience,” Javier notes. “That’s why we have created protected corridors and public spaces between buildings, so people can relate in their daily lives with the landscape.”
The design integrates green façades, biodiversity corridors and water features, all supporting the Mata Atlântica rainforest, one of Brazil’s richest ecological regions. These strategies lower temperatures, encourage social interaction, and help create a diverse, vibrant environment where people and nature thrive together.
Efficiency was a key consideration from day one, resulting in a modular/scalable, sustainable and deliverable design that sets a new standard for resilient, AI-ready digital infrastructure. By working closely with Elea, we’ve combined ambitious targets for resilient, sustainable digital infrastructure with a deep respect for local context and long-term social value. “It’s not just about keeping the fast pace of the AI era,” Javier adds, “it’s about finding creative ways to bring value to people, places, and the planet.”
Looking forward
Being shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival 2025 is testament to Elea’s bold vision for Rio AI City and the strength of our partnership. For us, this project embodies what’s possible when technological ambition is matched with architectural know-how, environmental understanding and a deep respect for place.
As the boundaries between digital infrastructure and the city continue to blur, we’re excited to be helping redefine what’s possible, not only for Rio, but for how the world imagines, delivers, and lives with the next generation of AI-enabled districts.
