Sustainability shapes every decision we make at Microsoft. From the built environment to the technology we provide to our customers, our ambitious sustainability initiatives in carbon, water, ecosystems, and waste put our planet first. Opened in 2022, the Thermal Energy Center (TEC) showcases our commitment to engineering bold solutions for a better future while enabling us to meet our ambitious carbon and water savings goals. This vision drove every aspect of the design for the TEC. We broke ground on our first geothermal well in early 2020 and finished our 900 wells 2 years later in 2022. The TEC began supporting our campus on a limited basis in August 2022 and will be more fully utilized when our first buildings open in Fall 2023.

The design of the TEC turns sustainability inside out, literally showcasing the beauty of the machinery and mechanics that make energy and water savings possible. Microsoft’s commitment to educating the public is woven throughout the design of the entire project, from its location to the smallest of details. Rather than relegate the TEC to a remote area of the campus, the TEC is located at the heart of its workplace. Its dynamic presence features a dark metal screen with vertical bands while expansive glass windows reveal the glowing, green industrious machines within. The building welcomes both employees and the community to explore the unique technology that is powering the next generation of workers. A pedestrian bridge leads visitors to the transparent exterior, allowing them to peek inside at the hardworking prefabricated structural tubes and hot water tanks that are driving the company’s environmental goals toward carbon-negative status. In addition, interactive, welcoming signage invites visitors to learn about Microsoft’s sustainability initiatives and impact.