Designing Data Centers and High-Tech Facilities That Perform

What's in the presentation?

Data centers are one of the fastest-growing building types and the pace of change within them and the facilities that support them is remarkable. This presentation will not only cover current trends and challenges across the market, but it will also outline how proper FF&E can deliver an environment that contributes to the success and well-being of data centers and their occupants.  Additionally, it will identify areas within facilities where designing spaces for efficiency and accessibility are relevant, examine design considerations that are available when planning storage within projects, review technical applications, and discover the importance of partnering with a proven storage provider to ensure facilities are sustainable and resilient.

This presentation counts toward 1 AIA LU | Elective Credit.

Objectives:

• Gain awareness of the trends and challenges driving high-tech facility and data center design — including AI-driven rack density, liquid cooling, floor loading, and power constraints — and how they reshape spatial requirements.
• Demonstrate how interior architecture and storage systems support uptime and redundancy through solutions engineered for raised access floors that improve airflow and serviceability while meeting Tier III/IV requirements.
• Identify storage and locker solutions that address security, chain-of-custody, and cleanroom compliance to help facilities meet standards such as SOC 2, PCI-DSS, and ISO Class 8.
• Understand how compact, high-density storage strategies support efficiency and sustainability goals — reducing building footprint, optimizing MRO and fiber/cable inventory, and contributing to LEED® objectives across building design and construction, interior design and construction, and building operations and maintenance.