As an Administrative Assistant at Integrated Design Group, every day is different. My tasks include training staff on new software, submitting RFI’s and organizing meeting minutes. The other day I was approached with a new task – to be in charge of fun at work! The principals requested a way to retain the unique, fun culture that has always been a part of ID as we continue to grow. A group of us formed the Fun Committee (the name says it all) and as head of the Committee it is my duty to make sure we work hard, and play hard too. The Committee’s main goal is to bring the company together through various activities thought up by members of the firm. Over the past few months the committee has organized some very exciting events that took place in our office. In early January, we had a masseuse come to our office and give 10-minute massages to whoever signed up. It was definitely a special perk, especially after all the holiday madness! Both offices hosted parties the Friday prior to the Superbowl. Everyone wore their favorite team jersey and ate a record amount of wings. New England fans are a little disappointed that we can’t add another Superbowl Championship to the legacy this year, but hey there’s always next year! Today for Valentine’s Day we gave delicious goodies to each employee. Just wait to see what we have in store for St. Patrick’s Day! Stay tuned, because the fun never stops at Integrated Design Group…

I started working as an architect at Integrated Design Group this past July, and began my teaching career a month later at the Boston Architectural College. Balancing two new jobs in the span of two months was a bit jarring, but I have finally caught my breath enough for another first: my first blog post!

Entering into the data center design world for the first time at Integrated Design Group, my head was spinning with acronyms like PBB, TKD, CRAH, RPP, and PDU. At the same time, I was learning the ups and downs of teaching undergraduate architecture students the concepts of programming and site analysis. My brain was soaking up information during the day, and then transferring it to my students every Wednesday night in studio.

The first project I worked on at ID involved the re-branding of the interior standards for a major data center client. From the selection of tile and wall coverings in the bathrooms, to the creation of new custom patterns incorporating the client’s logo, the project was all about design. Every time we chose a new carpet or discussed how the lobby would be experienced by visitors, our main goal was to create a space that would be recognizable and distinct.

Because the scope of the project involved working within existing buildings as well as buildings that we were designing from the ground up, the interior standards had to work across a broad range of building types, scales and locations. I realized immediately that there was a lot more to data center design than simply creating a generic shell for servers.

I recently read an article in Data Center Knowledge about a FiberPoP data center within a building that resembles a luxury home in residential Minnetonka, Minnesota. The building is meant to blend into a landscape of other high-end homes, and the data center becomes a kind of secret, buried underneath a shell that masquerades as someone’s home.

Data centers hiding in plain sight is not a new concept, but is one that typically entails being buried on an upper floor of a non-descript office tower in an urban setting. Most people are both unaware (I was guilty of this) and hesitant to accept that the digital “paperless” age brings with it a massive amount of servers and technology that run behind the scenes. Perhaps a better way to look at the challenge of housing a room full of servers and all the mechanical and electrical equipment that goes along with them is to highlight instead of hide the technology that many people take for granted.

Each data center client has their own individual needs, both functional and aesthetic. Because Integrated Design Group is an architecture and engineering firm, both the infrastructure and the overall design are held to a high standard–one that starts with the client and continues as a dialogue throughout the project. Each client, like each building, is unique, and the architecture should reflect that.

The trend of creating an invisible architecture for data centers will most likely not last, and as an architect, I embrace the challenge to design an architecture for a program type that permeates the modern world, but is usually asked to stay behind closed doors.

Sounds like a great project for my students…

Planning is underway for another season of data center design roundtable sessions. The program, which we tested out last year, is an opportunity for facilities and IT professionals to convene and discuss the latest  trends in data center design.

What worked well last year? Hot topics (we focused on green data center design), comfortable setting (it’s not actually a round table, it’s more like a rectangle. But everyone gets a comfy seat and an opportunity to contribute to the conversation), and beer. Yes, each evening session commenced with beer and snacks from our favorite caterer, Butcher & a Baker.

We’re beefing up our program this year with monthly sessions, new times (breakfast for the early birds and evenings for the night owls), and a fresh slew of data center design topics.

Data center operators — if you’re interested in attending any of our sessions, please contact me at coregan@idgroupae.com. I’ll save you a seat.

 Impacts on Data Center Design from the ASHRAE 90.1-2010 Energy Standard

Tue, Feb 7                                                          Breakfast Session: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

The Department of Energy recently recognized ASHRAE 90.1-2010 as the new nation­al energy standard. By October 13, 2013, all states must have a commercial building code that meets the requirements of the new guidelines. Join us for a conversation on specific changes that will impact your data center design planning.

Battle of Power Distribution Strategies

Wed, Mar 14                                                     Breakfast Session: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

There has been much discussion about the different power distribution strategies for data centers. Integrated Design Group Principal, Dennis Julian, PE, ATD, DCEP told BICSI Magazine that 480/277 V would emerge as the new standard. Facebook echoed this conclusion at their Open Compute Summit. Learn why thought leaders are predicting a move toward 480/277 V power architecture in data centers.

How Do You Improve an Existing Data Center?

Tue, Apr 10                                                        Evening Session: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

This session is for the data center operator who wants controls changes that can be made in the data center immediately, at no cost and translate into instant savings. Bring your questions and suggestions regarding an effective “data center tune-up.”

What Does Modular Mean?

Tue, May 22                                                         Evening Session: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

What are the different types of modular data center design and which ones are emerging as the most innovative? As a follow-up to our 2011 session, we will discuss ISO-container, true modular, and off-site construction designs. Plus Integrated Design will unveil its one-of-a-kind modular data center design.

PUE: Location, Location, Location

Tue, Jun 19                                                           Breakfast Session: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Join Integrated Design Group for a discussion on why location is the big factor when it comes to determining which technologies can best be used by data centers to lower their Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE).

The holiday spirit is in full swing at the Integrated Design Group offices.  With that spirit in mind, we decided to construct a holiday ‘vertical structure’ to be the centerpiece in the lobby of our Boston office.  The structure also served the important role of being the drop-off point for all of the toys that we collected for charity.

Toys piling up under the structure

As in year’s past, Integrated Design Group chose to contribute to Rosie’s Place in Boston, MA. Rosie’s Place, a sanctuary for poor and homeless women, offers emergency and long-term assistance to women who have nowhere else to turn. Rosie’s Place relies on committed volunteers and private supporters to accomplish its effective and innovative work. We were delighted to present to them over 150 toys as well as a charitable donation.  Rosie’s Place uses all of the donated toys to set up a free store where mothers can shop for holiday presents for their children.

Rosie's Place toy drive store

Jeanne and Katelyn from our Boston office at Rosie's Place

In addition, Integrated Design Group made a charitable donation in the Dallas, TX area where our second office is located. This year we chose to support Jonathan’s Place. For 15 years, Jonathan’s Place has been taking care of the Dallas area’s youngest victims of abuse.

We look forward to continuing our relationship with these fine charities that make such a valuable impact to the Boston and Dallas areas.

Thank you to all of the Integrated Design Group clients and friends for making 2011 such a great year. Happy New Year!

What a year! Integrated Design Group closes 2011 with four industry awards under our belts:

Building Design & Construction Giants 300

Inc. 500/5000 Fastest-Growing Companies

Zweig White Hot Firms List

Boston Business Journal Pacesetters

In case you missed it, here’s the e-blast we sent to our colleagues, clients and friends in recognition of these honors.

Thank you again to our amazing clients for your data center design projects. Without them, we really couldn’t call ourselves a “giant, fastest-growing, white hot pacesetter!”

132 days, 1 hour and 18 minutes from now I will be drinking a margarita. Not just any margarita – a skinny margarita. And not just drinking it, but cheers’ing with it with my colleagues in Dallas. The occasion? We’ll be celebrating the success of our 2012 data center symposium!

Yes, the date is set. Integrated Design Group’s data center symposium will take place on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at Cityplace Conference Center in Dallas. We’re looking forward to building upon the momentum of the 2011 event, which was by all measures a success. Over 150 professionals from all areas of the data center sector attended the full-day program. Our all-star line-up of speakers included The Green Grid Executive Director, Mark Monroe, whose announcement to become our Chief Technology Advisor was made that morning.

Mark Monroe giving a talk on More Green in Green IT.

Our incredibly generous sponsors enabled us to cover costs and fund an American Council of Engineers – Dallas scholarship.

We couldn't have asked for better sponsors!

We received great feedback at the cocktail reception and enjoyed some coverage in the local Dallas media. I had sunk my heart into planning the symposium and when the event was over, victory never tasted so sweet. (Ok, maybe it was the agave in my margarita.)

So, with a successful symposium under my belt, you might you think my work is done. Not exactly. New speakers need to be confirmed, logistics need to be coordinated, marketing collateral needs to be created, travel needs to be arranged, and the surprises that manifest will need to be dealt with. And I only have 132 days to do it!! Don’t get me wrong, I have a great foundation to work with. Including THE BEST team.  This year’s symposium was a great example of the trademark “integrated design” spirit.  My business development guys, Matt and Tom, and engineers, Martin and Eric, took care of all of the heavy lifting that my four inch heels prevented me from doing. (Note to self: pack flats.) Architectural designer, Felicia, used her expert eye and was photographer for the day. And the door was staffed by regional manager, Brad, and other members of our Dallas office.

So while there is a tremendous amount of creativity and work that needs to be churned out,  I am counting on a few things from 2011to pull off the 2012 symposium: 1. my wonderful team 2. the generous support of many repeat sponsors who have already asked to be involved again 3. knowing that a skinny margarita awaits me at the end of the day on April 26th.

I recently joined Integrated Design Group as an electrical engineer. Previously, I had worked for an MEP firm for 8 ½ years, on projects ranging from data centers and photovoltaic systems to commercial office buildings and pharmaceutical labs. Often the company was hired by outside architectural firms and brought in as an engineering consultant. The general feeling was that the architects, our clients, were in the driver’s seat and we played a secondary role. I think the approach tends to work well for an office renovation or retail project, but for a mission critical data center, where the electrical and mechanical infrastructure often governs the architectural design, it becomes more challenging. In the past, if we needed an 8’x10’ electrical room for new equipment, I might be lucky to get a triangular shaped room with half the square footage and a column smack in the middle. It was that type of a mentality, which stemmed from a lack of communication and “team” approach.

So I’ll admit to having been slightly uneasy about joining an A/E firm. Changing jobs can be nerve-racking as it is, but you’re telling me that the architects and engineers actually sit amongst each other?? As equals?? All kidding aside, there really is a unique atmosphere here at Integrated Design Group and a true “integrated” feeling that is refreshing. Rather than waiting weeks for a coordination meeting with the architect or the latest backgrounds to be updated, there is collaboration taking place every day.  This not only saves time but leads to a better overall design solution. I’ve already enjoyed many brainstorming sessions with the entire team sitting around the table throwing out ideas. It also gives each team member a better understanding and knowledge of the other disciplines, which I think is invaluable. Based on the reputation of the company and number of repeat clients, it’s easy to see that the formula is working.

So how does the adage go? If architects designed a building without engineers, the building would fall down. And if engineers designed a building without architects, then the people would tear it down. Well, probably some truth to that…but hopefully the emergency generators would still be up and running.

I had the pleasure of moderating a panel at this week’s Blade Systems Insight Summit at The Harvard Club in Boston. Our panel included Kamran Amini, Director, IBM BladeCenter, Keith Jackson, Director at Raritan and Mark Harris, VP at Server Technology.  The topic was the impact blade servers have on data center design  and, more specifically, on power distribution design.

The panelists agreed that there is going to be a movement toward a 480/277 V power architecture in most new data centers. This is in agreement with what Dennis Julian, PE, ATD, DCEP, Principal at Integrated Design Group, concluded in his article in BICSI’s September/October issue.  Facebook also agrees with Dennis, according to statements made at their Open Compute Summit in New York City last month.

The panel felt that Facebook’s Open Compute project, which is utilizing 480/277 V distribution will be the catalyst that will drive equipment vendors to make equipment with 480/277 V power supplies.

It’s pretty amazing when someone in your firm takes a bold stance that is later supported by an organization such as Facebook. But, that’s Dennis Julian for you!