Berlin
Data Center BER12
Berlin, Germany / 12.2022 - 08.2024
In the south of Berlin, near the capital’s BER airport, a new data centre called BER12 has been built. The building forms a key component of the digital infrastructure at the Ludwigsfelde site and was constructed as a design-and-build project on behalf of Vantage Data Centres. Covering a total area of around 11,400 m², the two-storey building comprises technical areas, storage space and offices. Even before the servers and technical equipment could be put into operation, the structural foundations for the data centre’s future use were laid.
Facts & Figures
Company
PORR S.A., PORR GmbH & Co. KGaA
Type
Data Center
Runtime
12.2022 - 08.2024
Digital infrastructure on the outskirts of Berlin
Data centres are among the technical hubs of modern data and communications networks. Extensive building structures and technical installations were planned for the operation of the BER12 site. In addition to the spaces inside the building, part of the technical infrastructure is located on the roof. As well as cooling systems, other technical installations required for the future operation of the data centre were installed there. The infrastructure comprises cooling systems with CRAH units, power generators, chillers, so-called ‘juice boxes’ as well as two independent power supplies.
Building for a highly technical building type
Data centres place special demands on planning, the construction process and technical building services. In addition to the structural elements, the spaces had to be prepared for extensive technical installations. The two-storey building combines technical areas, storage spaces and offices within a single, cohesive structure. The individual construction phases were tailored to the requirements of the future technical equipment. Step by step, this laid the foundation for a site where digital processes and data streams will be processed in the future.
Planning and construction process on site
Methods from Lean Design and Lean Construction were utilised for project management. Construction site activities were regularly coordinated and considered across different planning horizons. This included daily coordination of ongoing work as well as forward-looking planning for the next construction phases. The planning processes served to coordinate the various trades and ensure transparency regarding the current project status. Workflows were continuously aligned with construction progress on site and documented.
The foundation for the BER12 data centre
Even before technical systems, server rooms and utility facilities could become operational, the building envelope, technical areas and infrastructure were constructed at the Ludwigsfelde site. With the completion of the building, the conditions for the subsequent installation of technical equipment were established. This created a further location for digital infrastructure in the Berlin catchment area, situated between Berlin, the airport site and the industrial estate.
