Experience

Project Quasar

When Novva set out to transform a 246,326-square-foot distribution-style warehouse into a high-density, next-gen colocation facility, they once again called on SiTESPAN to deliver under extreme technical and scheduling constraints.

Project Details

Owner
Confidential Data Center Company
Location
San Francisco, CA
Type
Colocation Data Center
Role
Design-Builder

Noova Quasar data center conversion

The original warehouse, built for light logistics, lacked the structure and systems
to support mission-critical loads. The roof system could not bear the mechanical
infrastructure needed for a data center, and the global supply chain added delays of up to nine months on key equipment. But Novva had ambitious delivery goals—and SiTESPAN delivered.

The project began with a rigorous Basis of Design to address structural, mechanical, and electrical challenges. The team engineered and installed significant structural hardening to carry the new loads. Poly spray foam insulation and intumescent coatings brought the envelope up to code while enhancing fire resistance and energy performance.

The new design eliminated traditional raised floors in favor of horizontal-flow fan
wall systems for mechanical efficiency. Sixty-six air-cooled chillers connected to
a closed-loop glycol water system formed the backbone of the cooling strategy.
Electrical infrastructure featured 24 IT generators and 10 equipment generators
with robust N+2/N+3 redundancy—coordinated through MMRs and UPS rooms.

To overcome supply chain challenges, SiTESPAN led weekly coordination
meetings with vendors and stakeholders, aligning equipment delivery with build
sequences and avoiding cascading delays.

Phase I, which included two data halls, customer offices, tenant spaces, and
supporting infrastructure, was delivered on time in early 2024 using SiTESPAN’s
integrated design-build model.

The Quasar facility is a prime example of SiTESPAN’s role as a strategic partner,
not just a vendor. It demonstrates how a conventional facility can be structurally,
operationally, and mechanically transformed to meet the exacting demands of a
modern mission-critical environment—with speed, resilience, and precision.