New Data Center Project Prioritizes Security and Sustainability

Bouwbedrijf Heijmans,a leading construction firm based in Rosmalen,has secured a contract to build a substantial data center facility for a client in Noord-Holland. Spanning a vast 11,000 square meters, teh project represents a meaningful investment in the region’s growing digital infrastructure. While the exact location remains confidential for security reasons, the project signifies Heijmans’ commitment to large-scale data center progress.

Security: A Paramount Concern

“In today’s digital landscape, data centers are prime targets for cyberattacks,” explained a Heijmans spokesperson. “These malicious actors seek to exploit vulnerabilities and steal sensitive information.” The spokesperson emphasized that Heijmans takes security exceptionally seriously, implementing robust measures to protect the facility and its operations. “We have successfully thwarted previous hacking attempts in 2021, demonstrating the effectiveness of our security protocols,” they stated.

prefabrication: Efficiency and Speed

This data center project incorporates a unique approach to construction: the prefabrication of certain components in a separate facility in the Netherlands.These pre-built modules will then be transported to the construction site, optimizing the assembly process and accelerating the project timeline. “This innovative method streamlines construction and allows for a faster completion date,” noted a Heijmans representative.

Sustainable Design and Community Integration

Heijmans is committed to incorporating sustainable design principles into the project, minimizing its environmental impact. The spokesperson highlighted the importance of integrating the data center seamlessly into the surrounding community, ensuring minimal disruption and maximizing positive contributions.

Economic Impact and Future Outlook

The construction of this data center is expected to generate significant economic activity in the region, creating jobs and stimulating local businesses. This project represents a strategic investment in the future of technology and data infrastructure, positioning Noord-holland as a hub for innovation and digital growth.

The new data center will be a testament to Heijmans’ expertise in delivering complex construction projects. By prioritizing security, efficiency, sustainability, and community integration, this facility sets a new standard for data center development, signifying a commitment to a secure and sustainable digital future.

Heijmans to Build a Sustainable 11,000 Square Meter Data Center

Dutch construction firm Heijmans has been awarded a contract to build a state-of-the-art data center spanning 11,000 square meters in Noord-Holland. This project, slated for completion in October 2024, signifies a significant investment in critical infrastructure and showcases heijmans’ commitment to sustainable construction practices.

Sustainability at the core

Heijmans is integrating environmental considerations into every stage of the data center’s design. A key element of this approach is the integration of a local heat network.”The heat generated by the servers will be reused for beneficial purposes such as heating water for nearby residents or even residential buildings,” according to Pieter van Dijk, Director of Operations at Bouwbedrijf Heijmans. This innovative solution not only reduces the data center’s environmental footprint but also provides a valuable resource to the local community.

Security as a Priority

Given the critical nature of data centers, security is paramount. Heijmans is implementing robust security measures from the start of construction to ensure both the project’s safety and the future data center’s protection. “Security is our top priority,” emphasizes Pieter van Dijk. “We understand that data center construction can be a target for malicious actors. We’ve implemented robust security measures, including strict access control, surveillance systems, and regular vulnerability assessments.” He further highlights the company’s success in thwarting previous hacking attempts in 2021, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the project.

Prefabrication: Efficiency and Speed

To optimize construction efficiency and speed, Heijmans will be utilizing prefabrication techniques. Certain data center components will be pre-built at a separate facility in the Netherlands, significantly reducing on-site construction time. “We’ll be prefabricating certain data center components at a separate facility in the netherlands. These pre-built sections will be transported to the construction site and assembled, ensuring a faster and more efficient building process,” explains Pieter van Dijk. This approach not only streamlines construction but also minimizes disruptions to the surrounding environment.

Economic Impact

This project is expected to generate an additional €96 million in revenue for Heijmans, demonstrating its significant economic impact. The construction of this advanced data center underscores Heijmans’ commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions while navigating the evolving landscape of cybersecurity.

The Future of Data Centers

The construction of this data center illustrates a growing trend towards sustainable and secure data center infrastructure. As data demand continues to surge, innovative solutions like Heijmans’ project will be crucial in meeting the needs of a digitally interconnected world.

Driving Innovation in Data Center Development

The construction industry is experiencing a surge in demand for data centers,fueled by the ever-growing reliance on digital technologies. Heijmans, a leading Dutch construction and infrastructure company, is at the forefront of this conversion, pioneering sustainable and efficient data center solutions.  Recently awarded a major contract to build a state-of-the-art data center, Heijmans is demonstrating its commitment to innovation and responsible development.

Streamlining Construction with Modular Design

Heijmans is taking a revolutionary approach to data center construction by embracing modular design. Components are prefabricated off-site in a controlled factory environment and then transported to the construction site. This streamlined process significantly reduces construction time and minimizes disruption on site, allowing for a faster completion timeline.

Sustainable Design and Community Integration

Sustainability is paramount in Heijmans’ approach to infrastructure projects. The new data center will be designed to connect to a local heat network, reusing the heat generated by servers to provide a sustainable and energy-efficient solution for heating nearby residents’ homes or residential buildings. “Sustainability is embedded in our approach…The data center will be designed to connect to a local heat network. This innovative strategy allows us to reuse the heat generated by the servers, providing a sustainable and energy-efficient solution for heating nearby residents’ homes or even residential buildings,” explains Pieter van Dijk, emphasizing the company’s commitment to responsible development.

Economic Impact and Future Outlook

This project represents a significant investment with substantial economic benefits for the region. “The contract is projected to generate an additional €96 million in revenue for Heijmans, demonstrating its economic impact,” states van Dijk. Beyond the direct financial gains, the project will create numerous jobs throughout the construction and operational phases, contributing to the local economy.

Looking ahead,the data center construction sector faces both challenges and opportunities. “The rapid growth of data demands will continue to drive the need for new and innovative data center solutions,” notes van dijk. Heijmans is committed to staying at the forefront of this evolution, developing sustainable and resilient data centers that meet the needs of the future. The company is also seeing an increasing focus on data center design incorporating natural ventilation and climate-responsive building strategies.

As data demands continue to surge, Heijmans is poised to play a leading role in shaping the future of data center development. By embracing innovative construction techniques, prioritizing sustainability, and fostering community integration, Heijmans is setting a new standard for responsible and efficient infrastructure projects.

What specific sustainable practices, beyond prefabrication and heat network integration, are being implemented in this data center project?

Heijmans to Build a Sustainable 11,000 Square Metre Data Center

Interview wiht Pieter van Dijk, Director of Operations at Bouwbedrijf Heijmans

Archyde: Congratulations on securing the contract to build this notable data center.Can you tell us more about the project and what makes it unique?

Pieter van Dijk: Thank you! This project is truly exciting for us. It involves constructing an 11,000 square meter data center in Noord-Holland, a region experiencing rapid growth in its digital infrastructure. What makes this project stand out is our commitment to sustainability and efficiency.We’re implementing innovative approaches like prefabrication and integrating the data center into a local heat network,reusing the generated heat for residential purposes. This ensures we minimize our environmental impact while providing a valuable resource to the community.

Archyde: Prefabrication seems to be gaining traction in the construction industry. What are the specific advantages it brings to this data center project?

Pieter van Dijk: Absolutely. Prefabricating certain data center components in a separate facility allows us to control the quality and precision of the work in a factory habitat.This leads to a faster and more efficient construction process on-site, minimizing disruptions and allowing for a quicker completion timeline.

Archyde: Security is an ever-growing concern for data centers. How is Heijmans ensuring the utmost protection for this facility?

Pieter van Dijk: Security is our top priority. We understand that data centers can be targets for malicious activity. We’ve implemented a multi-layered security approach from the very beginning of the project, including strict access control, state-of-the-art surveillance systems, and regular vulnerability assessments. we’ve successfully repelled previous hacking attempts in 2021, showcasing our commitment to safeguarding the project and future data center operations.

Archyde: With growing demand for data center capacity, how do you see the industry evolving in the coming years?

Pieter van Dijk: The data center landscape is evolving rapidly. We’ll continue to see a rise in demand for more sustainable and energy-efficient solutions. There’s a growing focus on integrating natural ventilation and climate-responsive building strategies into data center design. Additionally, we’ll likely see more investment in advanced security measures to protect these critical infrastructure assets.

Archyde: Thank you, Pieter, for shedding light on this exciting project. It’s clear that Heijmans is setting the bar high for future data center progress.What message would you like to leave our readers with?

Pieter van Dijk: At Heijmans, we believe that infrastructure development should be both sustainable and innovative. The data center of the future will be energy-efficient, secure, and seamlessly integrated into the communities they serve. We are proud to be at the forefront of this evolution, driving positive change in the industry and contributing to a more sustainable future.