As data centres draw ever larger amounts of power, sustainability becomes central.

That might sound a bit trivial, but the point is that the solution is almost never a building by itself.A building is a system that, together with other systems, realises the value that matters to client and stakeholders..

In the case of the prison transformation project we worked on, this meant that there were two key components to the solution: the people that work in the prison and the building that allows them to do what they need to do in order to help prisoners in their rehabilitation journey.In the case of a pharmaceutical plant it is the different value-adding steps of the overall process and the interface with people who operate that process and the utilities required for that process..The most important thing during these initial workshops is to keep an open mind.

Rather than tabling a design solution too early and possibly forcing the conversation to a preconceived solution, we encourage stakeholders to speak freely about what matters to them.Through structured questioning and diagramming on flipcharts and whiteboards (or their digital equivalents), we turn those concerns and desires into clear objectives.

The aim is to ensure that all stakeholders understand each other’s drivers and that we develop an agreed set of objectives that everyone feels is comprehensive and fair.. We turn that knowledge into an initial, digital model.

The model captures all the systems and their interfaces, and represents all aspects of the overall solution that affect the objectives of the various stakeholders.While sticking to proven designs can minimise risks, it can limit innovation and potential optimisation opportunities.

With changing market dynamics and growing environmental concerns, there's an urgent need to maximise energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints.Computational Fluid Dynamics provides the potential for a detailed and accurate insight into the operation of the data centre, throughout the design process.

This is incredibly useful to highlight any risks within the design, but it also allows for multiple design options to be tested at an early design stage, highlighting potential opportunities for lowering energy consumption and carbon emission.These strategies can include reducing storey heights, optimising Hot Aisle Containment (HAC) required and reducing the clearances between data racks leading to a smaller data hall footprint.. At Bryden Wood, we advocate for a broader application of CFD in optimising and innovating data centre design, aiming for a more sustainable future within the industry.. Data Hall Design Optimisation.