Global Switch Data Centre
Client:
Cockram and Hutchinson Builders
Location:
Sydney
Designing to support world-class data delivery
Founded in 1998, Global Switch is a leading international large-scale carrier and a multi-customer data centre owner and operator. Its Sydney data centre was established to provide critical infrastructure services to major global organisations, significant Australian companies and government agencies.
Working directly for the building contractor, Tonkin supplied structural design and documentation for the building. The client’s structural engineer had created a design but our role was to imagine a more efficient building that would provide a commercial advantage to the consortium bidding for the project.
What we did
Delivering a Design and Construct contract, Tonkin worked closely with the building contractor to provide alternative structural solutions to the preliminary design that were buildable and cost-efficient.
For all three stages Tonkin was responsive to queries that came about due to inevitable changes to services on site. We worked with the state 1 contractor to ensure that the imported structural steel complied with Australian codes.
Data centres are services-intensive buildings. Tonkin worked in collaboration with other consultants and stakeholders to make certain a fully co-ordinated structure was documented and constructed.
What we achieved
Tonkin was tasked with providing an efficient structural system for high floor loads and strict vibration requirements. To successfully achieve this, we ran several modelling scenarios before selecting the most workable solution.
The data centre was constructed under and adjacent to a significant road, the Western Distributor overpass, and immediately next to the existing operational data centre. Tonkin was called upon to provide structural advice on construction techniques that would not adversely impact either of these structures or their operations.
The building’s curved façade required significant detailing and substructure co-ordination to ensure it was both functional and buildable.
How we made a difference
The Global Switch data centre is a state-of-the-art building that met the client’s brief and was delivered on time and within budget.
According to Sam Elias of Hutchison Builders,
“Tonkin played a pivotal role in the success of this project. Tonkin were highly skilled, efficient and motivated to produce the right outcome.”
In a highly connected world, the need for reliable data delivery is becoming ever more important. This purpose-built facility was designed to meet the client’s growth projections for the next 20 years.