Silicon Valley Data Center Nears Completion

Attempting LEED Certification

Our client’s new 126,569 sf data center in San Jose, California is nearing completion this summer. The 2 story data center is the fifth and largest new construction data center in Silicon Valley for this client.

LEED Certification for Data Centers Achieving LEED Certification is particularly challenging for buildings that house data centers; points for energy savings and natural lighting are not feasible because of inherent design, safety and security requirements for these types of structures. Therefore, LEED data centers must focus on finding ways to mitigate their impact on the environment by alternative strategies such as implementing mandatory recycling programs, reducing the use of indoor lighting, and using renewable and local materials for construction.

Foundations/Structure This structure, housing offices, customer support areas, computer rooms, and electrical and mechanical equipment rooms, is supported on auger cast displacement piles at depths of up to 50’-60’. The first floor slab is supported on grade. Below the slab, there are concrete grade beams spanning in both directions connecting the pier caps. Additionally, cast in place concrete grade beams are provided at the perimeter of the building to support the exterior wall. The lateral force resisting system consists of concentrically braced steel frames. The frame occurs around the perimeter of the Colocation space, electrical space and office space. Additionally, due to the long span of the building in the East-West direction, bracing is provided within the Colocation and electrical spaces.

The expected completion date is November 1, 2010.


Architect's rendering