INVOLTA DATA CENTER
Duluth, Minnesota. As an owner and operator of multi-tenant data centers, Involta’s Tier III data center in Duluth, Minn. is a world-class, purpose-built colocation facility. This 26,400-squarefoot, LEED designed (pending silver-certification) structure serves as a secure data storage building offering high-paying job opportunities, while building network connectivity and enhancing Duluth’s technology infrastructure.
Key features include controlled temperature and humidity, fully-redundant power and HVAC, 24/7/365 critical monitoring and 24/7/365 secure access with biometric security, which reduce the risk of unauthorized use. This reinforced concrete structure is secured, as validated by tests conducted on the doors for flying debris per Miami-Dade County protocol. Fully-redundant generators and a redundant fiber optic ring have also been engineered into the design of this Tier III facility. Additionally, the $11.5 million data center core is secured inside high-density, reinforced concrete walls.
From the coordination of design and unique building features, all components of this project were carried out with the highest quality in mind. Challenges included construction through winter months as the project began in the month of December, and heavy rain storms during the spring and summer seasons. Interior footings and stem walls were added, as well as frost and interior block walls were changed to precast to avoid winter heat and cover costs. Further, rock blasting and excavation were performed for the extension of the entry roadway, and heavy soil correction was required for the building and site.
“From the coordination of design and unique building features, all components of this project were carried out with the highest quality in mind.”
Project Specs:
Project Size: 26,400-square-feet
Owner: Involta
Design Team: Bick Group, Solum/Lang Architects
Engineer: Alper Audi, Inc.
Completion Date: 2012
Total Project Value: $11.5 million
Services Provided: • Pre-Construction • Construction estimating • Design-Build • New Construction • LEED/Sustainable Design Integration • Deep Foundations