Design ownership shapes the performance of a data centre long after construction is complete. As factory-built solutions become more common, clients increasingly risk transferring design ownership alongside equipment procurement.

Expert Series paper examines how independent engineering oversight supports better methodology selection, repeatable reference designs and long-life asset performance. It explores the trade-offs between modular, traditional and hybrid construction, demonstrating why engineering decisions should prioritise lifecycle value, operational flexibility and client control rather than supplier-led delivery models.