CloudHQ HC3 Data Center
Ashburn, Va.
BEST PROJECT
Sent by: Construction of the holder
Owner: CloudHQ
Main design company: Corgan Associates Inc.
Construction Manager: Construction of the holder
MEP Engineer: WSP USA
Civil Engineer: Gordon
Key subcontractors: Southland Industries; JE Richards; Metromont; SteelFab; PCI: Performance Contracting Inc.; Allan Myers; BFPE International; Bright paint; Tecta America; Consolidated Waterproofing Contractors Inc.
The two-story, 567,000-square-foot structural prefab building had three major redesigns, the last of which came after a one-year construction hiatus. Accommodating a still-evolving design with existing structural elements required coordination, rework planning, and design validation.
Feedback from business partners allowed the project team to develop solutions, keeping progress aligned with project goals. One of the most striking challenges was the delay in acquiring the permanent road system. To protect the critical path, the team implemented a temporary power strategy with wiring to simulate permanent conditions. This approach allowed start-up preparation and subsequent activities to continue without interruption. When a late scope change further complicated the commissioning requirements, the team adapted the same temporary infrastructure concept with a revised wiring plan that allowed full system testing from the upper level electrical rooms to the lower data rooms.
Photo by Hunter Voegele
The structural and logistical challenges demanded project-specific security strategies. With approximately 70% of double tee precast elements requiring workers to step on surfaces that exceed the 6-foot drop threshold, an aerial anchor system eliminated the risk of side sway and allowed crews to maintain a safe position while working at elevation. To mitigate the risks associated with crane activity, rigging operations and the placement of interior material at the upper level, the team performed lift planning and daily hazard analyzes prior to the task.
Located at a major four-lane intersection, the building incorporates architectural metal panel systems, facade treatments and a multi-million dollar landscaping package. Native meadows and landscaping throughout the campus were designed to soften the visual impact of a traditionally industrial building type.
The data center also achieved a USGBC LEED Silver rating, the result of a coordinated effort that included the use of concrete mixes with lower levels of incorporated carbon, a waste diversion rate of nearly 90% to reduce landfill impacts, and advanced energy measurement systems that support long-term operational efficiency.
