Design Services
Design work I can undertake for you is:
- Site selection – sourcing, short listing and analysis of suitable sites to build data centres.
- Design management – Management of data centre design and construction projects.
- Design reviews – Analysis of new or existing data centre designs to ensure they are to the client’s specification.
Projects
Some of the projects I have undertaken are…
Data Centre Expansion: African Colocation Operator, Johannesburg
Project Overview
I led the development of a major Data Centre expansion on an existing campus for an African Colocation Operator in Johannesburg. The project delivered essential infrastructure to support the growing demand for both colocation and hyperscale services in the African market, significantly strengthening the operator’s regional position and service capabilities.
Scope of the Project
As Project Director and Design Manager, I was responsible for coordinating all stakeholders involved in this complex technical infrastructure project. This included leading the design team while working closely with the client, Project Manager, Main Contractor, Sub-Contractors, and Long Lead Equipment suppliers to ensure the successful delivery of four data halls with a combined IT capacity of 10MW across 6,000m² of technical space.
Key Outcomes
The project was successfully delivered in 2021, achieving several critical business and technical objectives:
- Expanded the client’s market position with state-of-the-art colocation and hyperscale facilities
- Delivered 10MW of IT capacity on time and within project parameters
- Demonstrated expertise in managing complex mission-critical infrastructure from concept through completion
Data Centre Site Selection: African Colocation Operator, Africa Various
Project Overview
Led a comprehensive site selection initiative for a colocation operator targeting aggressive market expansion across Africa. Working directly with the operator’s strategic team, we evaluated 14 potential locations to identify optimal sites for their data centre infrastructure development. The assessment required extensive coordination with property owners, real estate developers, and local regulatory authorities to validate site suitability against technical and business requirements.
Scope of the Project
Managed a multidisciplinary engineering team conducting detailed technical surveys and analyses of candidate locations. Each site underwent rigorous evaluation against critical parameters including power availability, connectivity options, geophysical characteristics, and regulatory compliance. The assessment methodology incorporated both desktop research and physical site inspections to document technical constraints and expansion potential, enabling data-driven decision-making.
Key Outcomes
Delivered comprehensive RED flag reports that formed the foundation for the client’s business case development and investment decisions.
- Identified prime locations with sufficient power capacity and suitable ground conditions for immediate development
- Flagged critical infrastructure limitations at five locations that would require significant capital investment
- Established relationships with local authorities in target markets, streamlining the future permitting process
Data Centre Design Management: Pan-African Colocation Operator, Senegal
Project Overview
Served as Design Manager for a Pan-African colocation operator establishing their new footprint in Senegal. The project involved a greenfield data centre development scheduled for completion in 2026, designed to meet Tier III standards with redundant power systems and cooling infrastructure. This strategic facility expands the operator’s mission-critical infrastructure portfolio across the African continent.
Scope of the Project
Led comprehensive project development from inception through design phases, establishing technical requirements and performance specifications aligned with international standards. Responsibilities included procurement of the complete consulting team, implementing robust project controls, and developing standardized procedures to ensure consistent delivery. Acted as the operator’s technical representative throughout the design process, ensuring alignment with business objectives and operational requirements.
Key Outcomes
Successfully established a design framework that balanced technical requirements with local market conditions and business objectives.
- Developed a scalable design allowing for phased capacity deployment while maintaining Tier III operational integrity
- Implemented standardized project procedures for future design programmes