Cooling design for hyperscale data centres is becoming a critical constraint as AI workloads drive power densities well beyond traditional 5–10kW per rack, forcing operators to consider liquid cooling, rear-door heat exchangers and direct-to-chip systems. Engineers must balance evaporative and adiabatic cooling against tightening water-stress and abstraction limits, particularly in regions already facing summer drought restrictions. Site selection, pipework routing, thermal storage and integration with district heating networks are emerging as key civil and MEP interfaces, with planning authorities increasingly scrutinising water-use intensity alongside PUE.

Work has restarted on two nearly complete residential blocks at Southwark’s St Saviours Estate in Bermondsey after ARJ Construction, which had finished about 90% of the works, went into administration in April 2024. Newly appointed contractor Bloom Construction, founded in 2023, is now tasked with delivering 40 council homes at the Fendall and Maltby site by spring 2026. The remaining scope covers final fit-out, M&E commissioning, contaminated soil removal, external works and landscaping, lift installation, play equipment and full building control compliance.

Enabling works have started on Hartwell’s £50m regeneration of the 8.4-acre former Hartwells Garage site on Newbridge Road, Bath, including removal of the old damaged forecourt canopy and detailed pre-construction surveys. The Allford Hall Monaghan Morris-designed scheme will deliver 104 apartments, a 186-bed student block, new A1/A3 commercial units and landscaped public realm on the brownfield plot, vacated in 2019. Hartwell is working with Walsingham Planning, Ridge, Stantec, IMA Transport Planning and Aspect Ecology, with the main contractor still to be appointed.