Engineering Data Centers for AI-Driven Performance and Reduced Carbon Impact
Design strategies that balance high-density computing demands with energy and resource efficiency The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence workloads is placing unprecedented demands on data center infrastructure. As compute densities increase and operational expectations tighten, the need to balance performance with energy efficiency and carbon reduction has become more urgent. This shift is driving a re-evaluation of how data centers are designed, particularly in relation to cooling strategies and overall resource use. Data centers are now a critical component of global infrastructure, supporting cloud services, digital platforms, and AI applications. With increasing digitalisation, energy consumption associated with these facilities continues to rise. In the UK and globally, regulatory and market pressures are also evolving, with greater emphasis on energy performance, carbon reporting and long-term sustainability targets. As computational loads increase, cooling systems are under growing pressure to maintain stable operating conditions without excessive energy use. Traditional approaches that rely heavily on mechanical cooling are becoming less viable due to their high energy intensity. This challenge affects operators, developers and designers, particularly as expectations around efficiency and environmental performance continue to rise. BSE 3D works with organisations navigating these challenges by applying a performance led design approach from the earliest project stages. The company has observed that early integration of simulation tools allows for more effective alignment between building form, system design and operational performance. Solutions that focus on reducing cooling demand at source, while optimising system efficiency, can significantly improve outcomes. This includes evaluating environmental conditions, refining building parameters and developing strategies that prioritise low-energy operation. A key approach involves enabling a cooling profile where approximately 70% of annual demand can be met through low-energy systems such as economisation and adiabatic processes, with mechanical systems supporting peak conditions and operational resilience. This reduces reliance on continuous compressor use and supports improved overall performance. “As data centre loads continue to increase, the industry needs to move beyond conventional cooling approaches. By prioritising low-energy strategies and validating them through simulation, it is possible to reduce energy demand while maintaining performance and resilience. Early-stage design decisions play a critical role in achieving this balance.” Kriti Gupta, Sustainability Consultant, BSE3D. Data centers are expected to play an increasingly significant role in supporting digital infrastructure. As their impact grows, so too does the importance of designing them in a way that responds to both operational requirements and environmental considerations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Breedon invests £750k in new saw line at Penrhyn Quarry to boost Welsh Slate roofing slate production
The investment at the Welsh Slate site means smaller slate blocks can be processed into roofing slates, increasing production capacity and reducing waste The new saw line expected to increase output by some 8,000 slates per week Breedon Group plc is set to ramp up production of Welsh Slate roofing slates at its Penrhyn Quarry in North Wales, with the installation of a new £750,000 state-of-the-art saw line. The new saw line will help meet sustained demand for the roofing slates, which are widely specified on projects around the world for their durability, distinctive colour and long lifespan. It will also ensure more of the slate extracted from the company’s slate quarries can be used. The investment is expected to increase the company’s roofing slate production capacity by an additional 8,000 per week. As part of the process, Welsh Slate is extracted from the company’s Penrhyn, Ffestiniog and Cwt-y-Bugail quarries, before being broken down into manageable raw block sizes. These are then processed on existing saw lines before being split into roofing slates, either by machine or by skilled operators using a traditional hand‑splitting method. However, some of the raw blocks have historically been too small to process efficiently. The saw line – which has been developed and built in-house by a dedicated engineering team – has been specifically designed to cut and size these smaller raw blocks more efficiently, enabling the production of smaller roofing slates and reducing waste by ensuring more of the material extracted from the quarries can be used. It will work alongside other automated machines, with Welsh Slate’s well-known hand-splitting also continuing on site. Barry O’Connor, General Manager – Welsh Slate, Special Aggregates and Circular Economy at Breedon, said: “This investment represents an important step for Welsh Slate and for Penrhyn Quarry. By introducing this state-of-the-art saw line we can significantly increase production capacity while also making better use of the slate extracted from the quarries. “It means material that was previously too small to process can now be brought into production, helping us reduce waste while supporting the skilled teams who continue to split and dress our high quality slates. “Penrhyn Quarry has an enduring and proud history, and this investment demonstrates our commitment to the long-term future of Welsh Slate and ensuring the site continues to supply high-quality roofing materials for many years to come.” Penrhyn Quarry has been producing roofing slate since the 13th century and has been a centre of the UK natural stone industry for more than 700 years. Work on the project began in November, with installation completed earlier this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NG Bailey Group accelerates fleet transformation with Webfleet
NG Bailey is working with Webfleet, Bridgestone’s advanced fleet management solution, to support a major fleet transformation programme focused on improving safety, operational performance, sustainability and compliance. As one of the UK’s leading power, engineering and infrastructure services businesses, NG Bailey operates a fleet of more than 600 light commercial vehicles, supporting critical customer services nationwide. In recent pilot trials, the solution helped the company significantly reduce CO₂ emissions by improving fuel economy by 3% and reducing wasted fuel by 25%. Lee Jackson, Group Fleet Manager at NG Bailey, said: “Our investment in Webfleet is about much more than telematics. It is helping us create a safer working environment for our colleagues, improve operational performance and make more informed decisions about the future of our fleet. “The platform supports NG Bailey’s long-standing ‘Safety First & Foremost’ culture, but equally important is giving our managers and drivers better information, reducing unnecessary administration and supporting our journey towards a more sustainable fleet.” Webfleet’s OptiDrive 360 driver performance monitoring provides real-time insight into driving behaviours, allowing NG Bailey to deliver targeted coaching, support and development opportunities for drivers. During the pilot phase, harsh driving events fell by 25%, speeding by 26%, idling by 5% and camera-triggered safety incidents by 35%. Integrated AI-enabled safety cameras are providing additional protection for both drivers and the wider public by identifying high-risk behaviours and providing objective evidence when incidents occur. “This helps us protect our drivers, challenge fraudulent claims and ensures we can make fair, informed decisions based on facts,” said Jackson. The technology is also supporting Zenith, NG Bailey’s fleet management partner, to provide a more proactive approach to maintenance. Automated vehicle inspections, fault reporting and maintenance alerts are all helping to identify issues earlier, reduce downtime and ensure vehicles remain safe and roadworthy. “By identifying issues earlier and using real-time vehicle data, we can reduce disruption, improve maintenance planning and maximise vehicle availability for operational teams,” said Danni Fearon, Strategic Programme Lead at Zenith. The platform is also supporting NG Bailey’s long-term sustainability ambitions. Using real-world vehicle utilisation, mileage and route data, the business is assessing where electric vehicles can be successfully introduced. Live vehicle tracking, digital driver identification and utilisation reporting are helping improve workforce planning, fleet utilisation and customer service delivery across several business divisions. “One of the most important aspects of this programme has been the partnership approach,” said Jackson. “Webfleet has worked alongside NG Bailey and Zenith to understand our long-term objectives and help shape a solution that delivers real value. Together we are building a safer, smarter and more sustainable fleet that supports both our people and our customers.” Alex Crane-Robinson, Regional Director UK & Ireland at Webfleet, added: “By combining driver safety, vehicle compliance, operational efficiency and sustainability into a single connected platform, NG Bailey is creating a future-ready fleet capable of supporting its ambitious business objectives.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NORD/LB supports £360m financing of leading UK social infrastructure provider Premier Modular
Funding from NORD/LB and a consortium of international lenders will enable Premier Modular to expand its modular infrastructure platform across key UK and European social sectors Premier Modular is backed by leading investors Cabot Square Capital and MML Capital Partners Deal reinforces NORD/LB’s commitment to financing critical projects that meet Europe’s growing social infrastructure needs German bank NORD/LB, in conjunction with a consortium of international lenders, has announced a £360 million financing package for Premier Modular, the UK’s leading provider of high-quality modular buildings for social infrastructure. The package includes a refinancing and CapEx facility that will support the continued growth of Premier Modular’s leading social infrastructure modular platform across the UK and Europe. Europe and the UK are facing an urgent need for modern, flexible infrastructure solutions to replace ageing social infrastructure buildings quickly and efficiently. Premier Modular is helping to meet this demand through adaptable modular buildings that are faster to deploy, lower cost, and more sustainable than traditional construction, with an asset life of more than 30 years. Over this period, its modules can be reused and reconfigured, enabling governments and public authorities to rapidly adapt social infrastructure to the changing needs of their populations. The transaction represents another important deal for NORD/LB, further strengthening its presence, track record, and project financing capabilities in the social infrastructure sector. The bank will continue to build on this momentum by financing further projects that help fulfil Europe’s evolving social needs. “We are pleased to back Premier Modular’s continued growth, supporting the expansion of its established and leading social infrastructure platform,” said Sean Cook, Head of Infrastructure Origination Europe at NORD/LB. “Across Europe and the UK, governments and local authorities are under increasing pressure to adapt and modernise social infrastructure in response to the changing needs of their populations. Premier Modular is at the forefront of helping Europe address this challenge, and we’re proud to support the continued growth of this important platform.” “This refinancing is an important milestone for Premier Modular and reflects the confidence our banking partners have in the business,”said David Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Premier Modular. “We have built a market-leading platform with a high-quality, modern fleet and a long-standing customer base, and this financing gives us the firepower to continue investing in that platform. Demand for flexible, high-quality modular space in the UK has never been stronger, and we are well positioned to capitalise on that opportunity.” Latham & Watkins acted as the lending consortium’s legal adviser on the deal, while Simpson Thacher & Bartlett acted as Premier Modular’s legal adviser. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Britain’s Landlord Boom: Company registrations climb 1,700% since 2000
Britain is experiencing a boom in professional landlord businesses, with new analysis revealing that the number of companies being formally incorporated has increased by over 1,700% since 2000. The research, from specialist landlord insurance provider Just Landlords, analysed Companies House records and points to a sector that is professionalising at an unprecedented rate, as landlords shift from informal property ownership into structured, incorporated businesses. Just 1,882 new landlord companies were registered in 2000, compared to a record high of 34,128 in 2025. The pace of growth has accelerated sharply in recent years, with nearly 14,000 new companies registered in the first five months of 2026 alone, and the 2020s already accounting for more new landlord businesses than the entire period from 2000 to 2019 combined. New landlord company registrations by decade: Clark Ross, Managing Director of Just Landlords, comments: “The scale of this shift is remarkable. We’re seeing clear evidence of the continued professionalisation of the private rented sector, with a growing number of landlords now operating through formal business structures.” While the long-term trend has been one of consistent growth, there are a range of factors that may have encouraged incorporation over recent years, including changes to mortgage interest tax relief, higher stamp duty costs for additional properties, evolving regulatory requirements and a growing focus on long-term portfolio management. The introduction of the 3% stamp duty surcharge on additional properties in April 2016 triggered an immediate surge in incorporations, with registrations jumping by nearly 59% in the following two years as landlords restructured their portfolios to manage their tax position more efficiently. Where are landlord companies growing the fastest? While London remains the single largest market, accounting for nearly a third of all registrations since 2000, the data reveals a striking shift in the regional picture. London’s share of annual registrations has been declining in recent years, as growth accelerates across the rest of the country. The devolved nations have seen some of the most dramatic recent growth, with Scotland’s annual registrations more than tripling since 2020 (+171%), and Northern Ireland (+148%) and Wales (+144%) following closely behind. Scotland now records over 2,100 new landlord companies per year, up from fewer than 400 in 2015. Annual Registration Growth, 2020 vs 2025: Clark Ross, Managing Director of Just Landlords, comments: “What’s particularly interesting is that growth is no longer concentrated in London alone. Some of the strongest increases have been seen across Scotland, the Midlands and the North of England, suggesting that professional landlord businesses are becoming an increasingly important part of regional housing markets across the UK. “There are a number of factors that may be driving this shift. London’s property values have long made it the dominant market, but the comparatively lower entry costs in regional cities mean landlords can build a more diversified portfolio for the same initial outlay, and potentially see stronger yields in the process. Rising house prices in the South have also pushed more renters into regional markets, increasing demand and making those areas more attractive to professional investors. “At the same time, improved transport links and the lasting legacy of flexible working patterns since the pandemic have made regional cities more appealing places to live, which in turn has strengthened the rental market in those areas. In Scotland and Wales, we’ve also seen significant legislative change in recent years, which may have encouraged landlords to formalise their structures to ensure they’re operating compliantly within those frameworks. “For landlords looking to professionalise their operations, risk management, compliance and specialist insurance become even more important. Professional landlords are investing for the long term, and protecting those investments has never been more important.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Major Haymarket Hotel Redevelopment Set to Welcome First Guests in August
A major hotel redevelopment in the heart of Edinburgh is set to reach a significant milestone next month, with a new 157-bedroom hotel preparing to welcome its first guests following the successful transformation of a former office building. Property developer S Harrison has confirmed that its latest development in the city’s Haymarket district will officially open on 5 August, with European operator MEININGER Hotels taking over the completed building under a long-term management agreement. The project represents another important investment in Edinburgh’s flourishing hospitality sector, bringing a prominent commercial building back into productive use through an extensive redevelopment programme led by principal contractor Ogilvie Construction. Rather than demolishing the existing structure, the scheme involved the partial demolition of the former 1970s Osborne House office building, alongside the construction of two new accommodation wings and the addition of an extra storey. Designed by Edinburgh-based Comprehensive Design Architects, the redevelopment has transformed the ageing office block into a contemporary hotel that enhances the surrounding streetscape while making efficient use of an established city-centre site. Located close to Haymarket railway station and tram interchange, and within easy walking distance of Princes Street, the hotel is well positioned to serve both business and leisure travellers visiting one of Europe’s most popular destinations. When it opens, the hotel will offer 157 bedrooms alongside a range of guest facilities, including a residents’ bar, breakfast area, guest kitchen, lounge spaces and an outdoor seating terrace. The development will become MEININGER Hotels’ 38th property across 27 European cities, reflecting the group’s continued expansion into strategically important destinations with strong long-term tourism demand. For the construction and property sectors, the project demonstrates the growing importance of repurposing ageing commercial buildings to meet changing market demands. By transforming an underutilised office asset into high-quality visitor accommodation, the scheme supports both sustainable regeneration and the continued evolution of Edinburgh’s built environment. The Haymarket development is the latest in a series of significant investments by S Harrison across the Scottish capital. The company previously delivered the landmark Malmaison boutique hotel through the conversion of the Grade A-listed Buchan House in Edinburgh’s New Town and has established a strong track record in the purpose-built student accommodation sector. Recent projects include a newly completed PBSA development near Newington Road, while work is nearing completion on another scheme within the historic Canongate area. S Harrison has also secured planning permission for a 124-bedroom PBSA development on Gillespie Crescent, which will regenerate a vacant brownfield site within the Marchmont, Meadows and Bruntsfield Conservation Area. Looking ahead, the developer has also received planning consent for a landmark £100 million mixed-use scheme on Leith’s waterfront. The development will deliver new homes, purpose-built student accommodation, commercial and co-working space, alongside a range of amenity areas, further strengthening S Harrison’s growing presence in Edinburgh’s residential, hospitality and mixed-use sectors. With its doors due to open in August, the Haymarket hotel represents another successful example of urban regeneration, demonstrating how the thoughtful redevelopment of existing buildings can support tourism, enhance the cityscape and contribute to the long-term growth of one of the UK’s most dynamic property markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals