London 7 Data Centre

London 7 is a 110MW hyperscale data centre development that transforms a 6.8-hectare brownfield site in Ealing, West London into a next-generation digital infrastructure hub, responding to the city’s growing digital demand.

Alongside large-scale data halls, the development includes supporting office spaces, a dedicated training centre, an Affordable Workspace facility and an enhanced public realm that contributes to the wider regeneration of the site.

Working closely with Apt and the wider team, Atelier Ten led an integrated environmental strategy from the earliest stages of design, responding to the intensive demands of data centre infrastructure while identifying opportunities to improve environmental performance and deliver wider benefits for the site and surrounding community.

The environmental strategy targets BREEAM Excellent across all buildings. Energy efficiency is driven through passive design, high-performance façades, optimised glazing and a hybrid cooling strategy combining direct-to-chip liquid cooling with air-based systems. The design targets a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.2, indicating a high level of energy efficiency for a hyperscale data centre. The fully electric design supports the client’s ambition for 100% renewable energy, while waste heat recovered from the data halls will be reused to heat offices and ancillary spaces, with provision safeguarded for future connection to a district heat network.

Early in the design process, Atelier Ten identified an opportunity along the south façade, which presented more than 7,000m² of unobstructed and unshaded area with no requirement for windows or views out. This resulted in the proposal to integrate more than 7,000m² of vertical photovoltaics into the façade, providing a significant source of on-site renewable energy generation.

On-site renewable generation can be challenging for data centres given the need for heat rejection at roof level. Atelier Ten used parametric analysis to test multiple façade configurations and support the team in optimising daylight access, solar gain and cooling loads to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient workspaces. A bio-solar roof complements the strategy by combining on-site renewable energy generation with habitat creation and biodiversity enhancement.

The project is developed in accordance with Greater London Authority guidance on Whole-Life Cycle Carbon and Circular Economy. Circular economy principles informed the selection of low-carbon materials, reuse of existing materials where viable and demountable construction.

Planning requirements for urban greening were met through Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) for stormwater management, alongside landscape enhancements and biodiversity measures. Occupant comfort is supported by detailed thermal comfort modelling and enhanced natural ventilation strategies.

London 7 demonstrates how integrated environmental design can extend the role of data centre infrastructure beyond operational performance. Through its energy, carbon, biodiversity and public realm strategies, the project is designed to support the regeneration of its former industrial site and contribute more positively to the surrounding area.