Start-up of the world’s first modular construction data centre

With the constant increase in data volume, data centre operators must be able to react more and more quickly. The Stuttgart company Globalways AG based in Leverkusen, therefore, commissioned Cadolto to build the world’s first modular construction data centre.

Choosing the modular construction specialist not only meant that the data centre could be built quickly and perfectly matched to requirements -  it can also grow in line with IT needs and has flexibility to be extended while continuing to operate. In addition, the free adiabatic cooling system is highly energy efficient. And like all Cadolto buildings exceptionally sustainable.

The concept is called Cadolto Space ®. The building is designed exactly to the customer’s specifications and requirements, 90 percent prefabricated in the workshops and installed on site in just a few days. This gives the client complete certainty with respect to deadlines and budget. And above all, the enormous advantages compared to conventional building, which were not previously possible, such as the option to extend while continuing operations. Everything is provided from a single source:  As the general contractor, Cadolto is responsible for the entire design, fabrication and erection of the building.

This Cadolto Space ® comprises 30 modules and was completed in a mere nine months from placing of the order to handover of the keys. By comparison: construction of the building by conventional methods would have taken at least twice as long. And instead of several modular building phases, Globalways would have had to construct, finance and operate a larger building than currently required.

The service block is in the centre of the two-storey data centre, with the IT racks in rows on either side; each with a power density up to 20 kW. The total gross floor area is 2.500 m² after the initial construction stage - the IT power is 1.5 MW and the total PUE is less than 1.15. This is due not least to the free adiabatic cooling system. At the back there are the UPS units and transformers as well as the tanks holding 80,000 litres of water.

Cadolto Space ® has been developed with a visually attractive outward aspect: facing the road, a semi-transparent, air-permeable expanded metal façade conceals the cooling equipment. The outside of the building has a composite thermal insulation system, with a dark plaster finish The flat roof is a foil roof of the type that Cadolto uses successfully on healthcare buildings around the world.

In addition to this customised data centre solution, Cadolto Space ®, Cadolto Datacenter GmbH also offers prefabricated data centres with 6, 12, 18 and 24 racks – the Cadolto Microspace ®. These have all the same advantages, such as free adiabatic cooling, optimum handling sizes, modular extendibility while operations continue and rapid installation.