Amazon is rethinking how data centres are built with its new initiative, Project Houdini, aimed at accelerating infrastructure deployment for rising AI demand.
Led by Amazon Web Services, the approach shifts from traditional on-site construction to factory-built modular systems. Prefabricated “skids” complete with racks, power systems, cabling, and security components will be assembled in controlled environments and then transported for rapid installation.
This model could cut data hall construction timelines from nearly 15 weeks to just two to three weeks, while significantly reducing on-site labour requirements. Amazon is targeting readiness by August, with plans to scale production to support over 100 data centres annually.
While modular data centres already exist, Project Houdini pushes integration deeper into hyperscale facilities. However, industry experts note that power availability and grid connections remain the biggest bottleneck, often taking years.
Even so, faster construction could help Amazon respond more efficiently once energy infrastructure is secured, strengthening its AI capacity rollout.
