Multiplex has reached a major construction milestone on Stage 1 of NEXTDC’s S3 data centre, ‘topping out’ the structure in Artarmon on Sydney’s lower North Shore.

Designed by architects Greenbox, NEXTDC’s new S3 data centre comprises approximately 26,770 square metres of data halls and ancillary infrastructure over eight storeys, delivering more than 20,000 square metres of IT space.

The building now stands nine levels above ground (approximately 50 metres in height) and caters to the growing need for data storage, cloud and interconnection capability as digital transformation accelerates.

Bolstering the local Sydney market, the S3 project has employed a total of 2042 workers to date.

“We are delighted to continue our ongoing collaboration with NEXTDC, reaching this fantastic milestone on Sydney’s newest data centre following the successful delivery of S2 Sydney and P2 Perth,” said David Ghannoum, Multiplex Regional Managing Director NSW.

S3 Sydney is NEXTDC’s third and largest data centre in Sydney and directly interconnects to the existing S1 and S2 Sydney data centres and into NEXTDC’s broader national digital infrastructure platform.

It comprises a range of amenities for tenants including comfortable workspaces, collaboration zones, car parking and over 4,000 square metres of critical office space.

“This is an important milestone as S3 is a crucial digital infrastructure asset for NSW. We couldn’t be happier with construction progress to date, despite the adverse health and weather conditions which our project team has navigated safely and effectively. As our largest facility to date, and the first of our third-generation data centres, S3 is on track to deliver critical digital capability and further strengthen cloud access in the region, on time,” said Simon Cooper, NEXTDC Chief Operating Officer.

The structure is predominantly a ‘hybrid’ scheme using a combination of reinforced and post tensioned concrete and structural steel K frame for lateral bracing, in lieu of the more conventional concrete shear walls.

NEXTDC and Multiplex are implementing environmentally sustainable design features including a reduced energy consumption cooling system, incorporating ‘free cooling’ to further reduce power consumption and optimise efficiency levels.

Targeting the same 5-Star rating for energy efficiency as NEXTDC’s existing facilities, S3 is designed and constructed to Uptime Tier IV standards. Tier IV certification recognises the facility’s complete fault tolerance and emphasises the exemplary levels of reliability and resilience, providing the maximum amount of redundancy for power and cooling.

Construction of Stage 1 of NEXTDC’s S3 data centre is on track for completion in the second half of 2022.