Data Centre Provider
Design of data centre operations spaces enabling customer requirements to be serviced more directly and efficiently
Mima worked with a data centre provider to design two operations centres and a service desk space, with the aim of ensuring an efficient and quick response to customer requirements at the heart of operations.
Our Task
Our client wanted to transform their control room spaces and service desk design to be customer focused. This meant incorporating features that facilitate a ‘customer first’ approach to operations and developing ways of connecting multiple sites and buildings, as one, through operations hubs.
Our Solution
Mima collaborated with the client team to develop a service design-led concept for one control room initially. With all of this, there is a recognition that workplace experience is an increasingly important part of the package for staff.
Our design approach drew on insights and understanding of challenges in existing control rooms and consideration of how ways of working may be developed to sift priorities and implement timely actions. This brought focus to the integration of more intuitive systems, efficient and intelligent use of automation, better situational awareness and better-informed engineers. The result is a space that encourages effective information sharing and supports proactive ways of working and decision making.
The design also includes features to enhance the staff experience and help users sustain energy and concentration levels. This, in turn, supports their productivity across shifts. These features include biophilic design (visual and tactile connections to the natural world), products that absorb sound, and a choice of different seating types. The latter are included to optimise human comfort within the room by creating choice and facilitating brief pauses or ‘restorative breaks’ at appropriate times.
Following the initial scope, Mima worked with the client again to develop the design of another operations centre at one of their other sites. Part of the brief was to replicate key features of the initial concept that had been well received by staff and proven effective through use. The selected space for the operations centre presented some specific spatial and environment design challenges that Mima helped to address through creation of activity-based zones in the layout and development of lighting and other interior design scheme elements to minimise distraction or discomfort for the end users. The new space provides a dedicated area for core operations along with a break-out area to one side and a multi-functional meeting and hot-desking area to the other.
In parallel, we worked with the client to tackle some workplace strategy challenges and co-developed the design of a relocated service desk. This included addressing staff experience and cross-team collaboration requirements in the space, along with accommodating a core group of work positions. A break-out area was included to help shift workers sustain energy levels and to provide a focal point for individuals from different teams to meet in an informal setting whilst in proximity to the main service desk work positions.
Across the programme of work, Mima blended workplace design with expertise in human factors and accessible and inclusive design to deliver human centred, high performing environments.
