The Unsung Hero of Our Digital Age: The Data Centre
Data centres are the physical heart of our information superhighway, crucially underpinning the digital infrastructure across Europe, the UK, and the world. These facilities store and process the critical data that keeps our world operational. However, the intricacies involved in designing a data centre—both internally for performance and externally for physical space—are often overlooked.
Key Considerations for Building a Secure and Efficient Data Centre
Given the complexity and scale of data centre infrastructure, several key considerations must be addressed to ensure the construction of a secure and efficient facility:
Connectivity is King:
Modern data centres are designed to facilitate seamless communication. Modular builds enable easy scaling of IT infrastructure, while robust cabling systems ensure smooth data flow and minimize downtime.
Energy Efficiency and Cooling:
Data centres consume vast amounts of power, making energy-efficient practices essential. Advanced cooling technologies and renewable energy sources play a critical role in providing optimal ventilation and airflow and reducing heat and humidity. These measures not only lower operational costs but also minimize environmental impact.
Security:
Protecting sensitive data requires robust physical security measures, stringent access controls, and comprehensive cybersecurity protocols. These elements are crucial to safeguard against unauthorized access and cyber threats.
These considerations must be meticulously planned and executed when designing a data centre. This will create a facility that is secure, efficient and meets the demands of our increasingly digital world.
Challenges for Architects and Designers
Architects and designers face unique challenges when integrating data centres into communities without sacrificing aesthetics or functionality. After site selection, avoiding the industrial fortress look with imposing metallic exteriors is a significant challenge, often raising community concerns.
Is Brick Slip Cladding the Answer?
Brick slip cladding stands out as an ideal choice for data centres in residential areas. It offers aesthetic integration and the ability to recreate brickwork indistinguishable from conventional hand-laid bricks.
Unique Benefits of Brick Cladding for Data Centre Builds
Aesthetic Advantages:
Brick cladding’s natural aesthetic can make a data centre less conspicuous. Instead of a giant metal eyesore dominating a neighbourhood, brick cladding systems help disguise a data centre as a brick structure.
Design Possibilities:
Modern brick cladding systems offer a variety of colours, textures, and finishes, opening up significant design possibilities and allowing data centres to blend in with existing architectural styles.
Building Integrity:
Brick cladding can withstand harsh weather conditions and requires minimal maintenance, adding an extra layer of protection to the critical infrastructure and ensuring the data centre remains structurally sound for decades.
Easy Build:
The installation process of brick slip cladding systems is straightforward. Mechanically fixed systems like MechSlip and NaturAL-X feature a lightweight ‘brick slip in rail’ system that combines natural clay brick slips with lightweight aluminium panels. Systems like Gebrik use high-performance cement-based adhesives to adhere stitching slips to adjoining panels.
Quicker Build Time:
Brick cladding systems mean faster construction and less chance of product overrun and noise pollution in the surrounding area.
Sustainability Champion:
Brick cladding requires fewer deliveries to the site, reducing emissions and the environmental footprint due to quicker on-site builds. Throughout its lifecycle, it acts as a thermal insulator and noise barrier, making a data centre more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
The Perfect Data Centre with Brick Cladding – Inside and Out
By incorporating the advantages of brick cladding, you are well on your way to building a data centre that is not only functional but also secure and built to last. Remember, your data deserves a fortress, and brick cladding can be a cornerstone in creating one.
To discuss your next data centre project with the experienced team at Aquarian Cladding Systems, contact us today.