We are delighted Ada Infrastructure – the data centre platform of GLP Capital Partners (GCP) – has received planning consent from Newham Strategic Development Committee to build one of London’s largest data centre campuses in the Docklands area. It will be Ada’s flagship development in the UK.

Our Thrive team has acted as Sustainability Champions on this development, running a series of in-depth workshops with the project team and the client to set new standards to achieve significant reductions in both embodied and operational carbon in a data centre. The buildings have been designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent ratings and feature energy solutions such as air and liquid cooling systems that operate without water evaporation. Current project targets include Net Zero Operational Carbon, over 95% waste diversion from landfill and over 35% regulated operational energy reduction.

Nick Cook, president of GCP Europe, said: “We are delighted to see our vision for a large-scale data centre come to life at Docklands. We will continue to leverage our significant footprint across Europe to support the growth of our data centre and clean energy strategies.”

The campus will provide significant public realm improvements to benefit those who live, work and study in the local area. The 210 MW 2,290,000 sqft facility comprises three 70 MW data centre buildings, and multiple other smaller buildings, such as the multi-functional community building which will create an enhanced urban edge between the campus and the road frontage, as well as providing flexible space, and job opportunities for the community.

Robert De Jong, director at the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability at the University of East London (UEL), commented: “We are pleased to note the significant public realm improvements that will be of huge benefit to those who live, work and study in the local area, as a result of the new data campus. These proposals are highly sustainable, in line with UEL’s own values, and have evolved to improve the design and architectural approach, as well as enhancing access to public space and the River Thames.”

The project will create an exemplar of a vibrant and more sustainable development with a strong sense of community and a diverse range of urban characteristics, playing a vital part in the delivery of the wider strategic regeneration of the local area.

Jennifer Weitzel, President of Ada Infrastructure said “This new data centre development embodies our commitment to driving positive change through the use of sustainable technology and materials, a robust environmental, health and safety program, and an ongoing investment in the communities in which we work and live. In addition to collaborating with local partners to provide job training and employment opportunities, the project’s future-ready design, including energy-efficient systems, net positive landscaping, and strict physical and cybersecurity protocols, will set new standards for safe and sustainable development in the age of AI.”

Our wider data centre experience

We are currently involved in the design of a range of data centre projects across the UK, totalling over three million sqft. They all feature key principles such as carbon reduction, diversion from landfill, regulated energy savings, circular economy principles, and enhanced social value.

Designing data centres offers architectural opportunities to deliver structures that positively contribute to the surrounding area, especially in sensitive urban settings. Innovation is always front and centre of our approach, with sensitive and detailed individual requirements for each specific project.

Our research and development of new typologies is supported and informed by the input we seek across the wider industry on the challenges, opportunities, and constraints within this fast-evolving market to help us arrive at exemplar design solutions. With suitable site locations for these buildings at a premium, our designs can be single level or multi-level to achieve maximum value. We are also exploring how to combine data centres with other uses.

Embedding sustainability from the early stages of design is critical in achieving planning consent and ensuring the long-term efficiency of a facility in use. We apply new initiatives and strategies to improve the energy efficiency of data centres, and to design schemes which ensure that a building supports a client’s long-term strategy for sustainability and energy efficiency.

If you are interested in discussion a data centre project please contact Louis Fantis who leads our data centres team: louis.fantis@chetwoods.com

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