Scalable Designs: Preparing Data Centres for Emerging Technologies at MCA Architects24 June 2025
‘A data centre planned without inherent adaptability risks rapid obsolescence.’ - Simon Sedgwick, Data Centre Sector Lead
Header Image: Dublin region data centre, designed by MCA Architects in 2010 to be scalable. Still operating as a DC, scaled for a new client.
As architects of the spaces that power our connected world, we understand that data centres are not static structures, but dynamic ecosystems that must evolve at the pace of innovation.
Ireland, as a leading global technology hub for tech giants like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and AWS, faces a demand for scalable and sustainable data infrastructure that is more critical than ever.
Our digital world, from streaming and cloud services to AI, runs on data centres. As industry leaders in data centre design, we understand the need to design DCs that can adapt to the emerging technologies of tomorrow, meeting the ever-changing needs of our clients.
Our approach to data centre design is rooted in a core philosophy: future-proofing through scalable, flexible infrastructure. We don’t just build for current capacity; we engineer for future potential. Our portfolio reflects over 15 years of specialised experience in data centre design, driven by the deep expertise of our dedicated data centre team. Through all the services we provide at MCA Architects, we've become trusted partners to some of the world's largest technology companies such as Google, Meta, IBM, Microsoft and Salesforce, delivering a wide range of innovative and technically complex facilities that support their operations. Explore our Data Centre projects and discover how MCA delivers for leading clients here.
The Increasing Pace of Technological Advancement
Consider the forces shaping data demand: the exponential growth of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, the vast expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), and the nascent promise of quantum computing. Each wave of innovation places new and often unpredictable loads on data centre resources, from power and cooling densities to data processing and storage capabilities. For our clients - be they construction consultants, investors, developers, facility managers, IT Directors/CTOs, or sustainability officers - this means that a data centre planned without inherent adaptability risks rapid obsolescence.
The Blueprint for Agile Data Centre Infrastructure
How do you create infrastructures that can embrace this evolution?
- Strategic Masterplanning & Vision: Like any critical infrastructure, a successful data centre begins with a robust masterplan. We consider the entire lifecycle of a campus, often developed in phases over 10+ years. Early decisions regarding site layout, power infrastructure, and regulatory navigation are paramount. Our experts excel in guiding clients through complex planning and political landscapes, zoning, and land use restrictions, ensuring a solid foundation for growth.
- Power and Cooling for Tomorrow’s Demands: Power supply and efficiency are critical. Our designs anticipate future increases in power density, optimising layouts for efficient power distribution and advanced cooling systems that significantly reduce energy consumption. This foresight is crucial for managing operational expenditure (OpEx) and ensuring the facility can handle next-generation hardware.
- Intelligent Infrastructure Pathways: The unseen infrastructure - ducting, cabling pathways, and below-ground services - is carefully planned. We ensure that pathways for power, data, and cooling can accommodate future expansion or technological retrofits with minimal disruption to live operations, protecting our clients' ongoing business continuity.
- Data Centre Design and Sustainability: At MCA Architects, sustainability, energy optimisation and building performance are foundational principles woven into every phase of data centre design. We stay ahead of regulatory developments, ensuring our designs comply with directives like the EU's Energy Efficiency Directive, which mandates data centres to report on energy use and environmental impact. Every design strategically supports our clients in attaining leading green building certifications such as BREEAM or LEED.
- Future-proof design for re-use: The most sustainable building is one that already exists. By prioritizing adaptability and scalability in our designs, we ensure that buildings can evolve alongside changing needs—reducing the need for demolition or major reconstruction. This not only extends a building’s lifespan but also significantly lowers its environmental footprint over time.
- Navigating Regulatory and Time Constraints: We understand the pressures of speed to market. Our team's technical and organisational capacity are geared to meet tight deadlines and budgetary controls. We proactively navigate regulatory frameworks, ensuring data centre projects comply with local zoning laws, building codes, and environmental regulations, mitigating risks and accelerating deployment.
Solving problems with design and creativity
The MCA specialist Data Centre team has a unique skill and knowledge set - we have been delivering DCs internationally for over a decade. We elevate our clients' professional standing by delivering inspirational project outcomes that are not only functional and efficient but also align with their long-term strategic growth and financial objectives.
Better is our blueprint.