In data centre projects, design has a significant impact on both construction costs and the project schedule. For this reason, our design approach always focuses on practical and cost-efficient solutions. Structures are designed not only to meet structural requirements, but also to enable efficient construction.
This brings practical on-site construction expertise into the design process and enables geotechnical and structural design to be coordinated from the early stages of the project.
Anfra provides structural and geotechnical design for data centres as an integrated service. We design solutions that take into account the demanding loads of data centre facilities, ground conditions, construction schedules, structural safety and long-term durability.
We are responsible for keeping the project on schedule, which gives us a strong incentive to deliver the designs on time. Based on our experience of projects where design responsibility has been assigned to a third party, approximately 90% have experienced delays in design delivery that have subsequently affected the overall project schedule.
Because we have both the expertise and a strong incentive to optimise the design, we typically use 10–20% less material than conventional structural design solutions.
Our designers and procurement engineers work closely together, allowing us to prepare procurement activities even before the designs are finalised.
We have in-depth expertise in both geotechnical and concrete structural design. We ensure that our structures are carefully engineered and that the design calculations stand up to detailed technical review. Together with the client, we agree on a target utilisation range, for example 75–90%, and design the structures to remain within that range.
Our construction experts work closely with our design team, ensuring that constructability is considered throughout the design process. Based on our experience, projects where Anfra is responsible for the design have approximately 30% shorter overall lead times.
We develop our weekly schedules using a detailed 3D model, with clear and visual weekly targets assigned to each team member. The model is developed to a high level of detail, including reinforcement and even minor construction details. This allows our site teams to work directly from the model without relying on inefficient paper drawings.
A large-scale data centre is a relatively demanding construction project. Equipment loads, technical system requirements, settlement control, vibration, fire safety and potential future expansions all place specific demands on the structural design.
In the structural design of data centres, we take into account factors such as:
Geotechnical and structural design are carried out using Building Information Modelling (BIM) and coordinated with the other design disciplines involved in the project.
The BIM model also provides a clear three-dimensional system for production scheduling and management during the construction phase.
Data centre construction starts with the ground conditions. Site-specific geotechnical conditions and earthworks mass balance can have a significant impact on the overall project costs, construction methods and schedule.
In Anfra’s geotechnical design, we consider the project as a whole. Based on ground investigations and the available geotechnical and elevation data, we develop solutions for building and yard area foundations, ground improvement, excavations and site-wide earthworks mass balance.
When geotechnical and structural design are carried out within the same organisation, the foundation solution, structural design and construction methods can be seamlessly coordinated without unnecessary interfaces between design disciplines.
The objective is to find a solution that is technically sound, safe and as efficient as possible to construct..
A significant proportion of construction costs is determined during the design phase. At the scale of a data centre project, even small reductions in the quantities of concrete, reinforcement, piles or earthworks can have a significant impact on the overall project cost.
For this reason, Anfra’s design process actively identifies opportunities to optimise structural solutions.
For example, we assess:
However, the objective is not to minimise individual structures, but to find the most cost-effective solution for the project as a whole.
A distinctive feature of Anfra’s design expertise is its strong connection to construction. Our designers work closely with Anfra’s construction teams, allowing construction methods, work sequences and practical site requirements to be taken into account already during the design phase.
This is particularly important in data centre projects. These projects are large in scale and often have demanding schedules, making it essential that design deliverables support the construction process in the correct sequence.
In our construction-driven design approach, we consider factors such as concrete pour sequences, formwork solutions, reinforcement installation, coordination of construction activities and the timely delivery of design documentation.
The purpose of a design is not only to demonstrate that a structure can withstand the required loads. It must also enable efficient construction.
In a data centre project, geotechnical and structural design are closely interconnected. The foundation solution should not be considered separately from the building loads, nor should the structural design be considered separately from the ground conditions.
When Anfra is responsible for both disciplines, geotechnical and structural design can progress in parallel.
This facilitates, for example:
At the early stages of a data centre project, we can initiate preliminary geotechnical design and earthworks mass balance assessment based on available ground and elevation data, and refine the designs as ground investigations progress.
This allows design and ground investigations to progress in parallel, rather than each subsequent phase having to wait for the previous one to be completed.
Using Anfra’s design services does not require Anfra to act as the construction contractor for the project.
We can provide geotechnical and structural design for a data centre project as an independent design partner , or take responsibility for the design as part of a broader Design & Build delivery.
If the project already has existing designs, we can also review them from the perspectives of constructability, material efficiency and cost, and propose alternative solutions where appropriate.
When Anfra is responsible for both design and construction, geotechnical and structural design can be integrated directly into the construction schedule.
In this case, design can proceed in the sequence required by construction, while solutions are continuously evaluated from both technical and constructability perspectives.
A single-provider model reduces interfaces between design and construction and enables faster decision-making. At the same time, responsibility for the constructability of the design solutions is clearly defined.
Anfra’s scope for data centre projects can include geotechnical and structural design, earthworks, foundations and concrete structures, substation infrastructure, as well as other critical infrastructure works.
Ground conditions, foundations and load-bearing structures are designed as an integrated whole.
Anfra’s in-house construction expertise and practical experience from our project sites are integrated into the design process.
3D and BIM-based design facilitates coordination between design disciplines and provides clear visualisation of design solutions.
We actively identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary material use and construction activities without compromising safety or service life.
Anfra has experience not only in data centre projects, but also in substations, industrial construction and demanding concrete structures.
We can act solely as a design partner or take responsibility for both design and construction.
