Design ID provided civil engineering design services and construction support for the BER 14 project, an 8 MW IT data centre in Ludwigsfelde, Germany. The project, completed within 16 months, involved coordinating mechanical, electrical, communications, and civil works, ensuring seamless integration of below-ground services and utilities.
Design ID addressed challenges such as incompatible level strategies and the absence of a drainage system for the access road by developing revised strategies and incorporating strategically placed gullies. They also optimised the site entrance for heavy goods vehicles and enhanced traffic flow with robust line marking solutions. This project underscores Design ID's expertise in delivering innovative, user-centric, and reliable engineering solutions for complex data centre projects.
The BER 1 campus spans over 10 hectares and houses four high-tech data centres that together provide 56 MW of IT load capacity. BER 14 is the fourth and final data centre to be built within this campus.
One of the project’s key challenges was the coordination of mechanical, electrical, communications (M&E) services, and civil works. Below-ground services, utilities, and drainage infrastructure had to fit within narrow corridors to facilitate maintenance while adhering to minimum cover depths. Proposed surface levels could not be lowered without impacting above-ground drainage and SuDS features. To address this, Design ID conducted extensive clash detection using project BIM models and provided detailed coordinated 3D data to the M&E design team, ensuring seamless integration and transition of drainage information.
The utilities responsible for carrying data and power around the site were critical to the project’s success. Design ID adapted the civil engineering design to optimise the layout of these networks, ensuring essential maintenance methods and space requirements were maintained. Through a creative and detail-oriented approach, the team successfully incorporated late-stage design changes, often occurring during construction.
Following comprehensive site due diligence, Design ID identified that the proposed level strategy was incompatible with the site layout which could lead to potential ponding issues and surface damage during winter months with subzero temperatures. To address this, Design ID developed a revised level strategy featuring appropriate longitudinal and crossfalls to ensure effective drainage. This solution also required close coordination with adjacent developments to align with their existing levels, ensuring a seamless integration.
Additionally, Design ID observed the absence of a drainage system for the access road located to the southwest of the site. Utilising the revised level strategy, Design ID incorporated strategically placed gullies along the access road to effectively manage surface water drainage. These actions demonstrate Design ID's commitment to thoroughly reviewing design information, proactively identifying challenges, and delivering detailed solutions to ensure the success of the project.
Further site due diligence checks indicated that the proposed site entrance did not accommodate the expected site traffic due to clashes between Heavy Good Vehicles (HGV) and site furniture. To address this issue, Design ID conducted a detailed Swept Path Analysis, evaluating both construction and permanent traffic flows at the site entrance. Based on the findings, Design ID developed a practical and effective solution to ensure the road design aligned seamlessly with the operational requirements of the facility. This included proposing a revised layout for the site entrance, which involved reducing the length of the central island to facilitate HGV exit movements and ensuring the entrance gates provided a minimum clear opening width. It was crucial to ensure effective coordination with below ground services so that the intercoms for the gates did not clash with services already present. These adjustments mitigated potential clashes and optimised traffic flow, enhancing the overall functionality of the site.
Design ID also incorporated a robust line marking solution to direct drivers throughout the site creating a smooth traffic flow across the BER 14 site. The initial design did not incorporate any separation between vehicles and pedestrians through the site. The road line markings therefore placed an emphasis on protecting pedestrians from vehicular traffic with multiple designated pedestrian walkways detailed across the site. A new footpath was also proposed by Design ID to the east of the site entrance to ensure that pedestrians can safely access the data centre from the site entrance, and a pedestrian refuge island was detailed at the site entrance junction to ensure pedestrians can safely cross the site entrance. This approach by Design ID goes beyond compliance with health and safety regulations but actively seeks to enhance the design. This highlights Design ID’s ability to anticipate maintenance and operational challenges, ensuring that safety considerations are at the forefront of the design.
The BER 14 project highlights Design ID’s expertise in the technology and data centre industry. Our creative problem-solving, commitment to ensuring a user centric approach, and meticulous engineering design exemplify our dedication to delivering innovative and decisive solutions for complex projects.
