NTT Gyron Data Centre, Hemel Hempstead – Projects

The new 20MW 350,000 ft data centre is set in a 3-hectare Brownfield site in Hemel Hempstead some 24 miles northwest of London. Originally designed for Gyron Internet now part of NTT Ltd the global data centre provider the carrier neutral Hemel Hempstead 3 Data Centre is a striking state of the art facility.

Constructed in two phases, the steel and concrete two-storey building boasts around 100,000 square feet of IT space. Built around flexibility the server suites are formed as clear spanning column free spaces at both ground and first floor levels. Perimeter walls are also free of restrictive cross bracing to ensure maximum space for air handling and power distribution requirements.

Amongst other anti-terror attack mitigation measures, the building is protected with PAS-68 certified anti raid provisions including fixed bollards, automated vehicle barriers and earth retaining structures.

The fault tolerant concurrently maintainable facility includes a centrally located generator yard, coupled with its own high voltage (HV) substations and UPS battery backup to achieve up to 99.99% power uptime. On site power lines typically run through a below ground network of service channels and chambers fully designed and detailed by Elliott Wood.

Fair face visual grade concrete was used extensively throughout the building to provide an honest and secure aesthetic. The facility also includes tenant offices and meeting rooms, with a striking external motorised solar shading louvre system which responds to the sun’s movements across the sky.

Externally a complex cut and fill exercise incorporating site phasing was undertaken to optimise internal and external levels to minimise cart-away materials. The project also includes a series of sustainable urban drainage systems to reduce surface water run off rates.

The use of Revit 3D design environment led by Elliott Wood was instrumental to the design coordination of this highly complex world class facility.