A chip can, therefore, be a whole factory, a building, a production line, or a single machine within a production line.

In other words, you can have two floors for data halls in a 20 metre planning envelope.. A fundamental reassessment of the integration of cooling systems and structure, and optimised M&E services zones through close coupling of electrical and mechanical systems will yield geometric reductions that can reduce floor to floor height.Constructing less costs less, but this approach has the potential to yield much more.

For example, a reduction in floor to floor height to 6.5m would enable a three-storey data centre on that same site – an instant gain of 50% in site yield and significant reduction in cost per kW.. A similar approach to close integration of design and the arrangement of primary plant and ancillary systems will optimise the data centre facility plan footprint.Again, this maximises yield per m2, with the added benefit of a reduction in costly M&E distribution paths..Deferring CapEx, delivering predictability.

Data centres are expensive.Being able to compress the time from project inception to occupancy, as well as having reliable procurement and supply chain, and a predictable construction programme, is hugely valuable in being able to defer CapEx and cost of finance.. One of the core principles of DfMA is the standardisation of parts and construction/assembly processes.

It enables the ‘industrialisation’ of data centre design and construction.

This allows us to work with clients to standardise procurement, through a prearranged supply chain with stockholding, if necessary, of pre-agreed capital plant and equipment.P-DfMA identifies commonality across entire sectors in the built environment to define the ‘kit of parts’ of components and processes that we can use to deliver a wide variety of built assets.

(You can read more about P-DfMA.The step change achievable with P-DfMA is in bringing the benefits of standardisation across all services and to the entire building – and adding value at every stage.

P-DfMA sees the project as a whole, understanding the positive and negative effect of each design decision on as many other aspects of the project as possible; seeking shared efficiencies between all elements of the building.This is unlike traditional design and build, where a project is often more like a linear series of separate tasks, where consequences can be passed down the chain..