Integrated Design Group(ID) completed construction at the North Hall Data Center located at the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). Integral to the university’s computing operations, the data center, which contained enterprise computing capabilities and all campus network connections, was fully operational during the project, allowing the university community to access the servers normally and not cause disruption to the institution’s computing.
A major client goal was for the new research data center to become flexible and scalable in order to provide the opportunity for future expansion as needed. Although the existing facility posed significant limitations on interior clearances, restricting both the depth of the raised floor and the overall height within the computer room, ID was able to nearly double the raised floor space by using innovative cooling technology. With updated mechanical and electrical systems, the research data center is now able to support the latest in high performance computing.
By utilizing the 415/240 V AC power distribution system, which is standard in most European and Asian countries, ID was able to implement efficiency gains within the data center, and provide monetary savings for the university. This application offers a significant amount of energy improvement over North America’s standard of 208/120 V. Delivering power to IT loads at 415/240 V instead of 208/120 V eliminates power distribution unit (PDU) transformers. This elimination not only offers energy efficiency gain, but also reduces copper costs and floor loading while freeing up additional space within the data center. +
Related Stories
| May 11, 2014
Final call for entries: 2014 Giants 300 survey
BD+C's 2014 Giants 300 survey forms are due Wednesday, May 21. Survey results will be published in our July 2014 issue. The annual Giants 300 Report ranks the top AEC firms in commercial construction, by revenue.
| May 10, 2014
How your firm can gain an edge on university projects
Top administrators from five major universities describe how they are optimizing value on capital expenditures, financing, and design trends—and how their AEC partners can better serve them and other academic clients.
| May 9, 2014
It's official: Norman Foster-designed Harmon hotel and casino to be razed due to structural issues
Construction of the Las Vegas tower was halted in 2008 after experts discovered faulty steel beams in the structure. Now its owner, MGM, has received permission to demolish the building.
| May 9, 2014
5 trends transforming higher education
Performance-based funding models and the adoption of advanced technologies like augmented reality for teaching are just a few of the predictions offered by CannonDesign's higher education sector leader, Brad Lukanic.
| May 9, 2014
40 Under 40: Where are they now?
BD+C catches up with two past U40 honorees: Matt Dumich of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture and David Montalba of Montalba Architects
| May 8, 2014
Perfecting prefab: 8 tips for healthcare construction projects
Leading AEC firms offer helpful advice for using BIM to pull off prefab for everything from MEP infrastructure to whole bathrooms.
| May 8, 2014
Don’t bother planning for the future - it doesn’t care about you
Though strategic planning has helped many businesses move forward, its time has passed. So says Economist and Author Bill Conerly. SPONSORED CONTENT
| May 8, 2014
Infographic: 4 most common causes of construction site fatalities
In honor of Safety Week, Skanska put together this nifty infographic on how to prevent deadly harm in construction.
| May 8, 2014
Sporting events in style: Infographic showcases novel stadiums of the world
UK precast concrete maker Banagher, which specializes in precast stadia solutions, has assembled a list of the world's top stadiums in terms of architectural and structural design.
