Global Switch London South Planning Success

We are delighted that our designs for Global Switch’ new build London South Data Centre have successfully been granted planning approval in November 2023 by London Borough of Tower Hamlet.

TTSP was appointed by Global Switch to support the development and growth of their East India Dock Campus in 2019. COVID-19 first and the implementation of AI technology currently are driving a step change in the use of data in the business landscape, as all industries across the globe ramp up their data usage. On the back of this shift data centres are now recognised as critical infrastructure and Global Switch’ brief focuses on maximising their existing campus by creating a new data centre building within the curtilage of the existing London North site boundary. This is achieved by using state of the art technology in the new build design, as well as by improving customer experience and efficiencies by connecting the whole campus via a new bridge link for both people and services flows.

Whilst meeting the ambitious requirements of Global Switch, a sensitive design approach has been taken to preserve the existing London North Grade 2* listed building and its setting, looking back at the history of the East India Company’s commercial trades in the London Docks.

Extensive efforts have been made to reduce the carbon footprint of the architectural envelope and careful consideration has been given in the design to the many constraints of the side, archaeological, historical, and public realm requirements.

The scheme has been designed to BREEAM Excellent with a PUE of less than 1.2. The new six storey building is approx. 27,000 sqm and provides 40MW data centre capacity as well as office facilities and a new reception for the whole campus.

The London Campus already benefits from 100% renewable energy, with London South designed to incorporate the latest energy efficiency and resilient technologies in order to minimise power consumption and reduce the carbon footprint of the data centre.

TTSP’s Director of Architecture Anna Rigoli, said:’ It has been a pleasure working for the last five years supporting our Client in achieving consent to expand their London Campus, understanding both the ambition of Global Switch’s requirement and their commitment towards sustainability and a design that is considerate to its urban surrounding, improves the experience of their customers as well as provide a positive impact to the urban realm and the community around it.’