Project Brief
Winner of the 2010 Enterprise IT Award in Data Centre Design, this project involved the conversion of a speculative industrial warehouse into an advanced low-energy data centre. The transformation of the building into a high-performance facility utilised cutting-edge technology and innovative design strategies, which set it apart in terms of energy efficiency and operational excellence.
Solution
A key design feature was the 5-metre void beneath the four 1,000 sq m data halls to support the passive cooling strategy by allowing large volumes of slow-moving air to be drawn in through eight 2.2 metre variable-speed axial fans. These fans enable precise airflow control, reducing the need for energy-intensive cooling systems and contributing to the facility’s low-energy consumption credentials.
Five years after it was first completed, the facility was expanded to deploy a modular data centre concept in an unused section of the building. This scalable approach allowed the client to add a fully operational data centre within 14 weeks, demonstrating the flexibility and efficiency of the modular design in meeting growing data demands without disrupting operations.
The project, which won the Enterprise IT Award, set a new standard for data centre design through its energy-efficient cooling, rapid deployment, and adaptability for future growth. The integration of low-energy technologies and the modular expansion model allowed the facility to scale efficiently
Due to the nature of this scheme, the client has requested that key information be kept under an NDA.
