Investors, asset managers, and designers are increasingly recognising the diversity of new data centre occupiers’ needs, and are adapting their proposals accordingly. This change will only increase as the market matures, writes Louis Fantis – Director at Chetwoods Architects.
One sign of this maturity is a new approach to data centre design. The industry is moving beyond conventional, isolated facilities to create schemes that better integrate into their surroundings while also ensuring long-term flexibility for evolving occupier needs. Much of this trend has been driven by an evolving approach to data centres from local planning authorities, who are increasingly recognising the jobs and investment they bring to local communities — as long as developers bring forward schemes with thoughtful, and contextually sensitive, designs.In urban locations and along the M4 corridor, designers are responding by making data centres better neighbours. Active frontages, integrated com
