Industrial

Private Client

Data Center Expansion and Optimization Project

Project Objective

The objective of this project was to provide engineering and architectural services for the design and construction of a high-capacity, energy-efficient AI data center campus. The facility includes buildings to support up to 70MW of computing power, with infrastructure tailored to meet the specialized needs of AI and data mining operations. The project also emphasized sustainability by leveraging a location with access to predominantly zero-carbon energy.

Unique Project Features

  • 70MW AI Data Center Capacity: Two major data centers (20MW and 50MW) with tailored support infrastructure.
  • Sustainability Focus: Located within an area with a high percentage of zero-carbon electricity generation.
  • Challenging Site Conditions: Design and construction required innovative solutions to accommodate large, existing foundations and site constraints.
  • Custom Structural and Electrical Design: Included specialized pile foundations, high collateral loads, and robust electrical distribution with redundancy.
  • Integrated Security and Safety Systems: Manhole intrusion detection, fire suppression systems, and secure facility access features were incorporated throughout.

Encorus Group Solution

Encorus Group provided comprehensive multi-discipline support throughout the project’s design and construction phases. This included architectural design, civil and structural engineering, and electrical engineering across the entire campus. Encorus’s team supported construction administration through submittal reviews, RFI responses, field visits, and engineering modifications during construction.

By closely collaborating across disciplines, Encorus was able to deliver innovative and reliable solutions that met strict performance requirements while navigating significant structural and site-related challenges.

 
 
 
 
 
1
1

Specific Project Tasks

Architectural Services:

  • Design of multiple buildings to support 20MW and 50MW data centers.
  • Layouts included custom data halls, raised floors for chilled water piping, secure storage, offices, MMRs, utility spaces, and employee facilities.
  • Support structures for switchgear, UPS, and Lithium-Ion battery backup systems.
  • Code compliance, including life safety plans and occupancy classifications.

Civil Engineering:

  • Site layout including roads, parking areas, grading, drainage, and perimeter fencing.
  • Coordination of downspouts and internal drainage systems.
  • Addressed legacy site conditions including deep foundations and limited layout flexibility.
  • Site investigation including survey, subsurface exploration, and utility locating.

Electrical Engineering:

  • Power system design based on ANSI / BICSI-002 guidelines.
  • Load analysis and coordination for 70MW power feed using SKM software.
  • Campus-wide underground power distribution and redundant fiber network planning.
  • 13.8kV and 5kV distribution integrated into new switchgear and UPS/battery buildings.
  • Internal building power distribution for equipment, lighting, safety systems, and IT infrastructure.
  • Fire safety power integration, including pre-action suppression systems in data halls.
  • Integration of security systems such as manhole intrusion detection.

Structural Engineering:

  • Design of steel and concrete structures including data center buildings and utility supports.
  • 20MW facility featured steel truss roof, heavy-load structural supports, and elevated HVAC platforms.
  • 50MW facility incorporated pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) with pile-supported foundation mat.
  • Two UPS/battery buildings designed with integrated monorails for equipment handling.
  • Design of multi-level support structures for electrical gear and custom steel framing in data halls.