Find RBA in Business Focus Magazine
Reid Brewin Architects are happy to share our participation in the most recent issue of Business Focus Magazine, showcasing our dedication to sustainable and forward-looking data centre development.
You’ll find us in the article, ‘Making Data Happen’, an interview with CBRE’s Director of Data Centre Solutions in France, Séraphin Bravard. In this thoughtful discussion, he explains the expansion of the data centre industry with the coronavirus pandemic, the complexity of the industry in Europe, and what’s in store with the development of AI and an increased demand for cloud-based services. At RBA, we have seen these changes firsthand and continuously push for more efficient and powerful data centres that also respond to sustainability challenges. As demand for IT capacity grows, it is necessary to create data centres that minimise environmental impact.
We have always integrated sustainable practices into our projects, and we continue to search for new ways to offset our footprint. With two LEED consultants on our team, we follow environmental certifications such as LEED, BRREAM, and HQE in many of our projects, including our Nike retail project, which received LEED Gold, and our data centre for KDDI’s new French technical hub, which received HQE Exceptionnel. We also have projects with green roofs, rooftop gardens, and vertical greenery, and some data centres repurpose residual heat for the city or local community buildings. Data centres require a lot of energy to run, but by finding ways to repurpose residual heat and partnering with clients who champion renewable energy like Equinix, we can minimise the environmental impact of our projects. With these steps, we are able to respond to the increasing demand for cloud capacity while increasing resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
In Business Focus, Séraphin Bravard also emphasises the importance of local knowledge in the data centre industry, explaining that the range of cultures and regulations, particularly in Western Europe, requires flexibility in professional relationships: ‘you do not do business the same way in the UK, Italy, or Germany’. Like CBRE, RBA are proud to have a presence in multiple countries and to be adaptable to local regulations. Across our four studios, our colleagues hail from 22 countries and speak almost as many languages. This diversity is reflected in the care we take with each project to learn about the local community, design buildings that are considerate of the culture, and follow building requirements. Furthermore, our involvement in the IDeA Network means that our partners around Europe and the Middle East can provide context from locals themselves. We pride ourselves in being open and receptive to all our clients.
Thank you to Séraphin Bravard and Business Focus for the insightful conversation and the opportunity to share our commitment to innovative and sustainable data centres.
Read ‘Making Data Happen’ below and head to the Business Focus website to learn more: businessfocusmagazine.com