Home > Data Centres > Mission-Critical Interior Fit-Out | Major London Data Centre

Sector: Data Centre

Scope: Drylining, Suspended Ceilings & Feature Oak Ceilings, Euro Panel Walling Systems, Fire rated Beam Encasements,

Location: London, UK

Project Overview

GA Interiors Ltd was appointed as a specialist fit-out subcontractor to deliver high-performance internal partitioning and ceiling systems within a major, live mission-critical data centre facility in London. Operating as a trusted data centre fit-out contractor, GA Interiors Ltd brought extensive expertise in specialist interior works to one of the UK’s most significant and complex data centre construction projects.

With a proven track record in data centre construction, our experienced site teams ensured all works were executed with the highest levels of precision, technical compliance, and minimal disruption to surrounding live critical infrastructure operations.

The Facility

This landmark data centre development forms part of a major campus expansion in London, responding to growing demand for high-density computing capacity driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and high-performance computing workloads. The nine-storey facility covers approximately 32,000m² of floor space, with dedicated white space across six operational levels.

Each floor is designed to deliver significant power capacity per level, supported by large-scale substation infrastructure across the wider campus. The facility incorporates both air and liquid cooling systems to support high-density compute environments, and is designed to achieve 99.999% uptime, ensuring uninterrupted operations for clients across multiple sectors.

Built to BREEAM Excellent standards and operating on 100% renewable energy, the development represents the very best in sustainable, energy-efficient data centre design. Energy efficiency measures include low Power Usage Effectiveness and Water Usage Effectiveness targets, HVO-fuelled backup generators, and provisions for heat recovery.

Scope of Works

As a specialist data centre fit-out subcontractor, GA Interiors Ltd’s scope included the full design coordination, supply, and installation of:

• High-performance internal partition systems across all operational floor levels
• Euro Panel walling systems for robust, efficient, and compliant installation
• SAS suspended ceiling systems delivering clean, accessible, and service-integrated ceiling solutions
• Fire-rated beam encasements providing critical passive fire protection throughout the structure

All systems were installed in strict accordance with data centre build specifications, meeting fire, acoustic, and thermal performance requirements across every level of the building.

Floor by Floor Summary

The fit-out scope extended across six floors, each presenting its own distinct requirements in terms of partition configuration, fire rating, and acoustic performance.

Ground floor works included high-specification reception and front-of-house areas, welfare facilities, catering and kitchen environments, and secure service zones, all requiring a varied mix of wall types and finishes.

Upper floors delivered a combination of open-plan office environments, secure control rooms, business continuity suites, customer office accommodation, breakout and collaboration areas, and back-of-house meeting rooms. Each floor required careful coordination of partition layouts, riser enclosures, and ceiling systems to support both operational and building services requirements.

The uppermost operational floor accommodates welfare and locker facilities, LV switchrooms, and large-scale mechanical plant areas, requiring robust partition and ceiling solutions suited to technical and plant environments.

Internal Wall Specification

The partition specification for this data centre fit-out project employed a comprehensive and carefully coordinated range of wall types, selected to meet the precise fire, acoustic, and functional demands of mission-critical infrastructure. Key systems included:

• Standard 132mm metal stud partitions with 30 to 60-minute fire integrity and insulation ratings for general office and circulation areas
• 154mm high-performance acoustic partitions achieving up to 56 RwdB, suitable for sensitive and secure operational spaces
• 120-minute fire-rated enclosures around structural cores, risers, and critical building services
• Specialist shaftwall systems throughout for riser enclosures and vertical service runs
• Firemaster wall systems in plant and mechanical areas requiring the highest levels of passive fire protection
• Moisture-resistant plasterboard specified throughout all wet areas, including showers, toilets, and welfare facilities

All partition systems were manufactured using Gyproc and Gypframe components and installed in full accordance with project fire, acoustic, and finishes specifications.

Data Centre Construction Expertise

Delivering fit-out works within a live and operational data centre environment demands exceptional levels of planning, coordination, and technical execution. As an experienced data centre interior contractor, GA Interiors Ltd provided:

• Precise partition installation supporting secure, segregated, and compliant operational spaces
• Specialist ceiling systems engineered for seamless service integration and long-term maintenance access
• Full M&E coordination to accommodate complex and high-density service routes throughout the building
• Passive fire protection solutions fully aligned with data centre fire safety regulations and life safety requirements
• Programme-driven delivery maintaining strict construction sequencing within a sensitive and high-security environment

Quality Assurance & Compliance

GA Interiors Ltd operates under rigorous quality management procedures, ensuring every element of our data centre fit-out works meets the highest standards of compliance and performance. Our quality assurance process delivers:

• Full compliance with UK building regulations, fire safety legislation, and data centre construction standards
• Verified acoustic, thermal, and fire performance across all installed systems
• Comprehensive project documentation including method statements, risk assessments, as-built drawings, and compliance certification

Health, Safety & Environmental Standards

Safe delivery is fundamental to our approach on all data centre and mission-critical construction projects. GA Interiors Ltd maintained:

• Full compliance with current health and safety legislation and CDM regulations
• Proactive management of noise, dust, vibration, and environmental impact within a live operational environment
• Deployment of skilled, trained, and experienced operatives familiar with the demands of high-risk and technically complex construction environments

Outcome

GA Interiors Ltd successfully delivered this specialist data centre fit-out package on programme and to the exacting standards required for mission-critical infrastructure. Our works provide a high-specification, compliant, and durable internal environment that supports the long-term performance, security, and operational reliability of a world-class data centre facility.

This project further demonstrates GA Interiors Ltd’s capability as a leading specialist fit-out subcontractor for data centre construction, commercial fit-out, and mission-critical interior works in UK and London.