PowerHouse ABX-1 at Beaumeade
PowerHouse ABX-1 at Beaumeade | Ashburn, Virginia
ABX-1 is located in the heart of Data Center Alley in Ashburn, Virginia, the world’s largest and most connected data center submarket. It sits directly on the core Ashburn Fiber ring and national fiber backbone and is surrounded by more than 100,000 strands of fiber.
The building is a two-story, 265,000-sq.-ft. structure with an on-site 300MW electrical substation, built by Dominion Energy, that offers zero-mile low latency. The building features six data halls, three per floor, totaling 159,200-sq.-ft. of white space. The project broke ground in September 2022 and reached completion in October 2023.
Partners
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Client PowerHouse Data Centers
Preconstruction Planning for Phased Work
During the preconstruction phase, the team analyzed the scope for ABX-1 and aligned the operational goals, schedule, and budget to ensure the construction approach was correct from day one. Understanding that subcontractor mobilization is critical, the project team selected the right trade partners, concurrent with coordinating scopes of work utilizing virtual design and construction and procured long lead equipment. During design development, work was released in five phases to expedite the schedule. In just four months, the steel-framed structure was completed. Additionally, the team maintained close coordination with DPR’s self-perform team, who managed the concrete foundations scope and the steel contractor, adhered to diligent pre-task planning, and led weekly construction site stand-downs to review the work ahead and keep the teams safe. ABX-1 reached substantial completion one month earlier than scheduled, allowing it to commence the lease being signed during construction.
Innovation through Design and Process
The project was designed to target hyperscale users, with features such as High-Density Power (HDP) geared in support of HPC, AI, and Immersive Cooling, OCP-Ready, and DGX-Ready environments. ABX-1 is future-proofed to accommodate cutting-edge power density and cooling solutions, establishing itself as the blueprint for future designs.
To mitigate impact caused by the lead time of the ATS, the team installed a temporary ATS to establish initial MEP connections and testing. This prepared the building for immediate connection and power once the permanent ATS were installed. ABX-1 delivered seamless turnover as the tenant prepared its customized fit-out to meet computing needs.
Winners Announced for Fifth Annual Northern Virginia Technology Council Data Center
Awards
ABX-1 received the 2024 Best Construction Project Award from the Northern Virginia Tech Council.
Sustainability Across the Site
Sustainable construction practices were employed across the site. Approximately 10,780 tons of the former building’s concrete was crushed on-site and re-used in the development, while 387 tons of other building metals were recycled. PowerHouse Data Centers and DPR Construction support the Infrastructure Masons (iMasons) Climate Accord (ICA).
Cost Savings for Now and the Future
To minimize costs while maximizing impact, the streamlined design of the façade/structure utilized three main materials: metal, glass, and precast concrete panels to create a pleasing aesthetic. Three combinations were evaluated—precast façade on steel structure, precast façade and precast structure, and tilt up concrete on steel structure—the first option was selected, which offered the most economical and flexible options. Additionally, the design and construction teams collaborated to reduce foundation costs by approximately $1.5M through a calculated exercise that resulted in installation geopiers in lieu of caissons for the building.
During preconstruction the owner, tenant and contractor aligned the scopes of work up front so that future fit-out costs would be minimized—including underground utilities and security rough-ins. This simplified the scope and final delivery turnover so that incoming tenants had a true opportunity to personalize the space.
Project Milestones
In just four months, the team reached a momentous milestone, the completion of the steel framed structure. The occasion was commemorated with a topping out ceremony, and the last piece of steel was signed by all the members of the team and lifted into place.
Close coordination with DPR’s self-perform team, who managed the concrete foundations scope and the steel contractor, managed diligent pre-task planning and weekly stand downs to review the work ahead, and kept the teams safe. Their safety focus and zero loss-time incidents were acknowledged and celebrated at the ceremony.
To date the team has accomplished:
- 40,000 hours worked with zero loss-time incidents, 100,000 hours excepted upon completion
- 39,235 cubic yards of soil moved
- 1,200 geopiers drilled to support the foundation and gross weight of the building
- 8,415 cubic yards of concrete poured, with 11,000 cubic yards at completion
- 2,359 tons of steel used
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