Building a resilient data center in France’s Digital Hub, Paris
PAR13Building a resilient data center in France’s Digital Hub, Paris
PAR13
Key figures
Key figures
Client requirements
Our client, Digital Realty, is a global leader in colocation services for digital transformation and data management, providing customers with data center infrastructure from cloud to AI. In Paris, the largest digital hub in France, Digital Realty requires a strategic partner with in-house expertise to design, build, and commission a new data center meeting their capacity planning requirements.
Paris PAR13, a secure, scalable infrastructure facility offers 12,500m2 of net IT space, 30MW IT power, and N+1 redundant design architecture with no service interruption.
Our response
To deliver a high-performance colocation data center, we combined sustainability, digitalisation in design and build, pre-fabrication technique, and traditional construction approach ensuring the right time-to-market while meeting the precise market and specific Digital Realty standards aligning with the LEED certification.
Implementing sustainable strategies to reduce carbon footprint, energy efficiency, and improve environmental impact
We designed and built the PAR13 data center in adherence to Digital Realty's sustainability commitments. Our approach began with a thorough project due diligence, resulting in the development of a comprehensive methodology and tools based on carbon footprint analysis. This included calculating the financial emissions over a 30-year operational span, leading to a reduction of 7,000 tCO2e. As a result, we have proposed a range of sustainable solutions and enhancements to Digital Realty, aimed at reducing carbon emissions, optimising future design, and setting standards for upcoming projects within the company.
Following this evaluation, we successfully implemented a variety of sustainable solutions to reduce the carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency. These initiatives include:
- the use of low-carbon concrete and a real-time carbon intensity monitoring application ("cockpit") integrated into the project
- the use of power banks to reduce peak consumption while limiting the size of the temporary generators
- incorporation of HVO for commissioning
- and the adoption of recycling practices for construction materials such as copper and wood have all been instrumental in our sustainability efforts.
We are committed to being a considerate and responsible member of the community by implementing measures that minimise our impact. This includes using soundproofing technologies and materials for the HVAC and loop on the roof to reduce noise. Additionally, we have erected a green barrier, approximately 6.5 meters in height, around the data center and planted wildflowers to enhance biodiversity and further mitigate noise pollution.
Standardised digital strategies from design to delivery
In the design and build of the PAR13 data center, we implemented a comprehensive digital strategy that incorporated standardised Building Information Modeling (BIM) integrated with diverse digital platforms across all disciplines. At its peak, the project engaged 350 users, including our partners, to ensure collaborative work and complete coordination, thereby promoting transparency. This approach enabled seamless coordination among multiple trades working simultaneously, streamlining prefabrication processes, and ultimately reducing risks while enhancing health and safety.
To bring the data center facility to life, we employed innovative design and fit-out techniques, such as prefabricating the ceiling containment for electrical networks and chilled water piping. With 75% of the chilled water piping system prefabricated, amounting to 13km, we implemented a lean distribution system for Digital Realty. This system minimises leakage and will improve the operation and maintenance of the data center facility.
The project prioritises health and safety by integrating safety measures into the design process from the outset. Emphasising safety in leadership during the construction phase, we achieved a high compliance audit from Digital Realty.