Backed by Experience and Precision
Keeping People Connected and Informed
In today’s world, data centers have become one of the most critical elements of every business. From keeping employees connected and operating efficiently to serving clients all hours of the day, companies are striving for system reliability and data security. That in and of itself is what makes this type of construction unique with the heightened awareness to maintain facility operations without incident. Our team specializes in data center construction. We are mission critical experts that understand the sensitive nature of this work and know how to operate effectively within a mission critical environment while minimizing disruption and ensuring “0” downtime throughout the project.
UCRC II Data Center Upgrades
University Hospitals
The project used a CM and subcontractor design-assist approach to handle substantial electrical and mechanical upgrades in an existing tenant space. This method allowed the team to evaluate refrigerant piping routes spanning five floors to the roof and plan large groups of 4" electrical conduits from new exterior generators to the second-floor data center. Upgrades included 2N+1 cooling capacity (with 1.75N installed on this project), new 2N emergency generators, separate Bus A and Bus B electrical rooms, a new building automation system, and an emergency power-off system. Located in the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s office, the project required coordination with County officials. The primary challenge was separating the data center load from the rest of the building using existing switchboards; this was resolved by routing the data center load through backup generators during switchboard modifications. The project's success was driven by early planning, pre-qualifying team members, and constant coordination among contractors, the owner, and the County, resulting in a seamless execution without any power interruptions to the main data center.
Akron Data Center
AT&T Property Management
This project upgraded existing data, mechanical, and power rooms to support over 27,500 SF of new data center space. Shook provided pre-design budgeting, with the final cost landing within 2% of the initial estimate. To maintain uninterrupted operations, the work was carefully phased and included extensive temporary protection measures. Four new power rooms were built to house AC/DC equipment and UPS systems, cooled by a custom 150-ton chilled water air handling unit. New automatic transfer switches and switchgear integrated the power systems with the existing infrastructure, supported by structural upgrades for an auxiliary iron grid and cable tray system. Five new 100-ton chilled water CRAHs—located in perimeter galleries—cool the data center, with rough-ins for five more. Two 500-ton chillers and new 12” supply and return loops feed the cooling system. Humidity and pressurization are controlled by two humidifiers, two make-up air units, and multiple exhaust fans and louvers. The data hall features 36" raised flooring, an acoustical ceiling for controlled airflow, and hot/cold aisle separation with curtain dividers. Fire protection includes early and very early smoke detection (VESDA), double-interlock cross-zone detection, pre-action sprinklers, and clean agent suppression. The project concluded with full system commissioning and integrated testing.
Corporate Office & Data Center Upgrade
Bridgestone
This project involved the complete remodel of the 84,000 SF office building and corporate data center. Specific scope items for this project included new N+2 electrical service, new cooling for data space, significant architectural upgrades, new preaction fire suppression system, new generator yard, and administration office space remodel. Because the facility remained fully operational throughout construction, the project was completed in seven phases. After one phase/section of the building was finished, staff would move into the completed portion of the building, allowing our construction team to begin work on the recently vacated area. The facility houses a corporate printing operation in the basement. In addition to maintaining operations throughout the project, specific measures were taken to protect the security and confidentiality of this space as payroll and social security information is produced there. These restrictions were incorporated into our project approach and managed without incident.
Data Center Expansion
H5 Data Centers
The H5 Building 1 & 4 project is a data center expansion to increase their existing capacity. This project is split into two major areas, the new building 1 generator building and renovation of building 4. Phase 1 work for the generator building consists of (2) new 11.4 kV diesel generators. Additionally, the generator building was designed to structurally support future vertical expansion to accommodate additional data center space (concrete roof deck/ micro pile foundation system). Phase 1 work for building 4 consisted of renovation to existing shell space to add additional 2nd floor infrastructure (Uninterruptible Power Supply rooms) and 3rd floor data center space.
Data Center Expansion
Verizon Wireless
Verizon’s Twinsburg Data Center is one of two major East Coast facilities supporting national operations. This Tier III-certified center features full redundancy with 18MW of emergency power (6×3MW diesel generators), a chilled water plant (6×825-ton centrifugal units with cooling towers and economizers), and 8 separate battery backup systems. Shook has partnered with Verizon since 2013, providing general contracting, construction management, budgeting, scheduling, and procurement support. The facility includes an older structure (Building 1) and a main addition (Building 2) built in 2010. Designed for phased construction with modular MEP systems, the site allows seamless expansion while maintaining 24/7/365 operations. Phase 1 delivered the shell, substation, and 20% of core infrastructure; the final module is scheduled for completion this year, with future expansions planned due to the facility’s proven reliability.
Corporate Data Center
Poly One Corporation
This project involved the master plan and execution of Poly One’s corporate data center at their HQ campus in Northeast Ohio. The project was completed using a design-build delivery. The goal was to create greater capacity and redundancy for the facility’s long term power demand. Shook coordinated closely with the multiple user groups that worked in the immediate vicinity of the data center to manage shut downs and potentially invasive construction activities. Phase I involved expansion of the existing space to accommodate “A” and “B” side power rooms. Phase II involved major electrical upgrades to the new “A” side electrical system. Work included a larger feeder into the data center with a new 150kW modular UPS power supply with PDU’s to provide a second source of power to Poly One’s network structure. Work also included new power whips and a grounding grid of the data center environment. During the project the existing data center and corporate operations continued with “0” downtime.
Data Center & UPS Renovations
Macy's
On this project Shook constructed three new electrical/UPS rooms and generator to provide back-up power for the existing Data Center. The scope of work included demolition and abatement of existing interiors, masonry knee wall containment, interior wall partitions, raised access flooring, doors and security hardware, pre-action sprinkler system with VESDA smoke detection, new mechanical CRAC units, and new main service electrical connections for commercial power upgrade. Electrical work also included a new generator, ATS’s, UPS’s, transformer, and dual feed network power. The existing Data Center also received two new mechanical CRAC units and a new VESDA smoke detection system. Other work included build out of new mechanical room storage and office space for IT staff.
Driving Success
Collaboration
Any data center, telecommunications building, or call center is critically dependent on its mechanical and electrical systems to maintain the building environment necessary for operation. For this reason, the MEP trades are critical to the project’s overall success. We have a list of Class-A subcontractors with whom we collaborate regularly—and early on for every project.
Corporately, we have close working relationships with the key equipment vendors, material suppliers and subcontracting partners that are critical components in data center construction. No builder performs more of this type of work locally, understands its unique elements effectively or will receive more favorable pricing and terms. We are proud that we have many repeat clients, thanks to the commitment and amazing work our team devotes to each project.
Training & Standards
Procedural Excellence
On every project, we establish a clear method of procedure (MOP) for all work involved. This document addresses issues like dust protection, negative air pressure, vibration and moisture minimization, and maintenance work windows. The step-by-step set of instructions ensures that all team members are on the same page to complete each task seamlessly.
In addition to the method of procedure, we created a standard Network Awareness Training (NAT) program that every worker must complete before they are able to set foot on any of our mission critical jobsites. This program provides a uniform and consistent process for addressing unique challenges found in this type of construction. This training program has been adopted nationally by one of our major telecommunications clients and now is responsible for training more than 13,000 contractors each year.
