Evans: bringing a unique approach to data centre delivery
AI is changing everything. Not least the scale and complexity of the vast data centres required to meet increased AI workloads. From surging power demand, energy consumption and cooling requirements, to impact on site selection and the rise of hyperscalers, designing this new breed of data centre requires a unique approach.
“Demand is unprecedented,” says Corey Lemming, SVP of Evans General Contractors (Evans) Advanced Technology Construction, which specialises in building highly complex and mission-critical infrastructure including data centres. “Whether we’re building directly for an AI hyperscaler, a developer or a co-location partner we have minimal time to conceptualise, plan, design and cost a project that – more often than not – is a first of its kind.”
A revolutionary approach to data centre design-build
Fortunately, this is where Evans Advanced Technology excels. Formed just three years ago, it has delivered solutions from revolutionary cable landing stations to hyperscale data centres for some of the largest businesses in the US. It does so with an innovative approach that’s unique in the market, combining a collaborative design-build methodology, pre-development expertise and a focus on turnkey solutions delivered in close partnership with customers.
“Historically, data centre design and build was controlled by the customer, but we offer a different approach,” says Corey of the company’s pre-development expertise. “We select sites, we carry out due diligence, help with power negotiations, local politics, assemble the right team from a broad ecosystem we’ve developed, and turn that into a bespoke solution.
“We’re looking for the hard and complex projects that are first-of-a-kinds and we deliver them as one team with our clients – it’s absolutely mission critical with today’s data centre market, where there’s a need to do things differently and accelerate every development.”
First-of-a-kind innovation with DC BLOX
This approach has paid off with countless clients, including DC BLOX, a digital infrastructure provider that delivers integrated data centre and network solutions to hyperscalers, enterprises, and comms and tech giants.
The pair have worked together for more than three years, building a close relationship based on a shared culture. The partnership has delivered several industry firsts, including an innovative cable landing station and edge data centre in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and, more recently, DC BLOX’s first hyperscale campus in Atlanta – where Evans is headquartered.
“It started at Myrtle Beach,” Corey explains. “The facility connects the southeast via subsea and domestic long haul fibre to Atlanta, where the data centre market is booming. We saw the opportunity to get into the game and went through every step together in partnership from looking at land to test fits and concept.
“It was incredible how we essentially built out two hyperscale data centres out of a shared idea,” he says. “We’re currently underway with construction of the first, and we’ll be breaking ground on the second, an 80MW data centre, very soon. It’s been a true journey together, built on trust, integrity and shared values – the relationship is the foundation on how we’ll grow together strategically and diversify into new markets together in the future.”
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