Modular Data Centre

We were engaged by a confidential client to design a scalable, modular data centre tailored to their specific needs. The primary objective was to create data halls and plant rooms that conformed to standard shipping container dimensions. This approach ensured that both sea and land transportation would be straightforward, facilitating rapid deployment across various locations.

To achieve seamless coordination among all stakeholders, we utilised Revit for the design process. This form of Building Information Modelling (BIM) software allowed us to meticulously plan and optimise the spatial arrangement of plant equipment and service routes within the confined spaces of the containers, whilst maintaining the required plant access and maintenance spaces. The precision offered by Revit was instrumental in maximising efficiency and functionality.

The linear configuration of the data centre modules, each equipped with its own plant containers, was a strategic choice. This design enables modules to be positioned adjacent to one another, allowing our client to expand their infrastructure as needed and maximise the space on the sites they acquire. Such scalability is crucial in adapting to evolving customer demands and market dynamics. By employing standardised building blocks, the client can seamlessly scale their infrastructure on-demand, ensuring flexibility and efficiency.

We designed the MEP services to align with the modular and scalable nature of the data centre, ensuring reliability and efficiency throughout. The electrical infrastructure was configured to an N+N standard, providing full redundancy to guarantee uninterrupted power. This included uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems and generator backup to safeguard the customer’s operations. On the mechanical side, we implemented N+1 redundancy for the cooling and ventilation systems. This ensured that even in the event of a system failure, the data centre would maintain optimal environmental conditions. These resilient MEP systems are key to supporting the client’s operational Uptime requirements while enabling seamless scalability as their data centre needs grow.

In essence, our design not only meets the immediate requirements but also provides a robust framework for future growth. The combination of modular construction and advanced design tools, in line with Tier 3 and Uptime compliance, ensures that the data centre is both adaptable and resilient, ready to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital landscape