Consolidating Data Servers in a Secure Location

The City of Omaha's data servers were spread throughout the existing 11-story government building located in the heart of the downtown area. Many of the servers were at risk of environmental damage and security issues. The building's sublevels A and B are designated parking, and over 90 feet underground, sublevel C was used primarily for storage.

The Omaha Douglas Public Building Commission asked HDR to renovate a portion of sublevel C to consolidate all data servers into one secure data center environment. At 90 feet below grade and well below the water table, HDR was challenged to protect the critical equipment from water and create a conditioned environment with proper air intake and exhaust systems.

Key features include:

• Highly reliable and redundant mechanical and electrical systems that minimise single points of failure and provide N+1 reliability of major systems, allowing for 24/7 operations.
• A transparent environment where the data servers are on display.
• Thoughtful lighting design that compensates for lack of windows or access to natural daylight and creates a positive work environment.