Raw data centres: designing and building the perfect enclosure for the IT of the future
Introduction
Raw data centres according to AKNO Group: casing before infrastructure
In the rapidly changing data management landscape, the concept of the ‘bare’ data centre – i.e. an infrastructure that is ready but not equipped with specific IT technologies – is emerging as a strategic model for investors and operators. AKNO Group, which has been active for decades in the development of highly efficient industrial business parks, proposes an innovative vision: to design and build ‘bare’ data centre enclosures, ready to accommodate any future technology, with high standards of security, scalability and energy efficiency.
These facilities are created without pre-installed hardware, servers or IT equipment, but are completely ready to be customised by the end customer. The advantage? Maximum freedom of configuration, reduced commissioning time and above all a concrete response to the growing need for technology neutrality.
In today’s environment, where artificial intelligence, blockchain and high-performance computing (HPC) are transforming the way data is processed, it is crucial to have environments that are capable of evolving without being constrained by the initial IT architecture. Raw data centres represent just that: a flexible physical platform designed to anticipate change and adapt to multiple usage scenarios.
In this article, we will analyse the strategic value of this approach, delving into the key characteristics of AKNO Group‘s raw data centres: modular design, integrated security, energy readiness, and application versatility. All included in a broader vision: that of business parks understood and conceived as new hubs for intelligent data management.
Flexible architectures for IT-agnostic infrastructures
Enclosure before content: designing without technological constraints
The casing matters (more than you think)
In an era dominated by rapid innovation and unpredictable technology leaps, building data centres tied to a specific IT architecture is a risk that fewer and fewer investors are willing to take. The alternative? Design flexible physical infrastructures, where the real value lies in the enclosure, and not in the hardware it contains.
The raw data centres developed by AKNO Group respond to this logic. They are environments designed not to be defined in advance by technology, but to host any type of future configuration: public or private cloud, servers for artificial intelligence, blockchain environments, edge computing or HPC. An ‘agnostic’ approach in IT terms that guarantees project longevity and a much greater return on investment over time.
Integrated adaptability: the advantage of neutrality
This flexibility is not limited to the absence of hardware, but is built into the structure itself: electrical systems already dimensioned for variable loads, cooling systems compatible with different technologies, interior spaces that can be reconfigured according to requirements. In this way, each structure is a chassis ready to house the customer’s preferred motor, today and tomorrow.
This technology neutrality is a competitive asset both for operators running colocation data centres and for real estate investors aiming at long-term developments without design obsolescence.
Post-construction customisation: the ultimate in freedom
Another key element is customisation ‘downstream’: the raw infrastructure allows the end customer to choose not only the hardware, but also the software systems, redundancy levels, logical cybersecurity and data management approach that best suits their business. The result? Faster time, optimised costs and, above all, a data centre perfectly aligned with the business strategy.
Modular design: built-in flexibility and scalability
An infrastructure designed to grow with the business
Certified pre-wiring: a ready-made backbone
One of the key advantages of the raw data centres designed by AKNO Group is the presence of certified pre-wiring already integrated into the structure. This enables rapid installation of IT equipment and a more efficient start-up, significantly reducing setup time for the end customer.
The cabling follows international standards and is designed to support high traffic densities, even in the future. This means that the infrastructure can accommodate progressive technology upgrades without requiring invasive renovations or operational disruptions.
Adaptive cooling systems: efficiency without compromise
Modular design also extends to the thermal compartment. AKNO Group‘s bare data centres can be configured with flexible cooling systems, such as free-cooling solutions for favourable climates or chilled water systems for higher heat loads.
This adaptability makes it possible not only to optimise consumption according to the type of technology hosted, but also to meet the ESG requirements of the most sustainability-conscious investors. Indeed, energy efficiency is not only a technical issue, but a competitive advantage in terms of operating costs and market reputation.
On-demand growth: expandable modules, scalable investments
Thanks to the modular structure, raw data centres can be expanded in stages as the business evolves. One starts with a prepared physical base and adds functional blocks as capacity demand grows or operational requirements change.
This approach makes it possible to limit the initial investment and to maintain a high degree of financial elasticity, going along with the pace of the market and the client’s strategic needs. A feature that is particularly appreciated by both those managing large cloud environments and investors oriented towards progressive asset enhancement.
Physical security by design: protection from the ground up
Infrastructure designed to protect data, people and investments
Project-integrated security: not an addition, but a foundation
The physical security of a data centre cannot be treated as an optional extra to be added at the end. For AKNO Group, security is a structural component, incorporated right from the design and construction phase of the raw data centre. The goal is to create physically secure, controlled and resilient environments from the ground up.
This approach reduces operational risks, ensures regulatory compliance and, above all, protects the value of the digital assets that the customer will install. It is a form of investment that generates trust, even for the most demanding stakeholders in terms of governance.
Biometrics and multi-level access control
The bare data centres designed by AKNO provide for advanced access and monitoring systems, including:
- Multi-level inputs with biometric authentication
- Personalised badges and PINs for authorised personnel
- Separate access control for critical areas (server room, UPS, switchboard)
- Physical segregation systems between tenants, in case of shared use
This multilevel architecture allows the definition of granular access policies, which can be modulated according to the type of client or operating model (colocation, private cloud, HPC, etc.).
Integration with video surveillance systems and active monitoring
In addition to access control, AKNO‘s raw structures are designed for direct integration with intelligent video surveillance systems and perimeter sensors. The infrastructure supports:
- Wiring and mounting points for HD IP cameras
- Connection to centralised alarm systems
- Environmental and motion sensors that can be integrated with SIEM platforms
This arrangement reduces implementation time, improves operational efficiency and enables centralised security management.
Physical and logical security: two sides of the same strategy
In an environment where cyber risks are growing, physical security is the first link in the defence chain. AKNO designs environments where physical barriers dialogue with digital policies, creating a coherent platform for protecting information.
In summary: security by design means creating value already in the building phase, preparing the infrastructure to effectively manage not only data, but also risks.
Energy readiness: ready for energy sustainability
Bare data centres designed for tomorrow’s energy challenges
Infrastructure prepared for microgrids and smart grids
One of the key advantages of the raw data centres developed by AKNO Group is their readiness for integration with advanced energy systems, such as microgrids and smart grids. This means that the facility is already plant- and architecturally ready to connect to decentralised and intelligent energy sources.
The design provides space and ducting for the installation of storage systems, inverters and dedicated cabling. A feature that allows customers to implement stand-alone energy solutions, improving operational efficiency and resilience against national grid outages.
Renewables and off-grid solutions: a strategic advantage
The energy transition is already underway and is also closely touching the world of data centres. The facilities designed by AKNO Group are compatible with photovoltaic systems, local wind systems, heat pumps and other renewable sources.
Furthermore, the infrastructure can be configured to operate in off-grid or hybrid mode, depending on the customer’s needs and geographical location. This flexibility is crucial to access environmental certifications (such as LEED or BREEAM) and to attract sustainability-oriented investments.
Reduced TCO and ESG benefits for investors
An energy-readiness-oriented design also has concrete effects on the economy. It means lower consumption, lower operating costs and a longer service life for the infrastructure. For investors, this translates into an optimised TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) and a more competitive asset on the market.
But there is more: AKNO Group‘s bare data centres also offer an advantage on the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) front. Indeed, a predisposition towards sustainability is a rewarding element in the portfolio evaluation by environmentally aware infrastructure and real estate funds.
Application case studies: one infrastructure, a thousand uses
Design versatility for high performance environments
From raw to HPC: computing power without compromise
One of the main fields of application for bare data centres is the High Performance Computing (HPC) sector. Thanks to their structural robustness and plant flexibility, the infrastructures developed by AKNO Group have been successfully reconfigured to accommodate compute-intensive environments capable of supporting 3D modelling, engineering simulations, scientific analysis and big data analytics.
The flexible architecture allows the installation of high power density systems, with appropriately sized cooling and power supply systems. All with reduced conversion times compared to an unprepared facility.
Blockchain, AI and edge computing: flexibility in the service of innovation
The agnostic nature of bare data centres allows for rapid conversion to emerging technologies, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence. In these scenarios, requirements can change rapidly: decentralised computing power, minimal latency, or large on-premises processing capacity.
AKNO Group has prepared projects in which raw structures have been adapted to accommodate:
- distributed blockchain nodes
- machine learning and AI training environments
- edge solutions connected to IoT devices in real time
This demonstrates the architectural resilience of a bare-bones approach: no constraints, maximum adaptability.
From colocation to hybrid models: responding to new market needs
No less important, bare data centres lend themselves to hybrid business models, such as modular colocation, where multiple companies share the same physical space while maintaining segregation and security. AKNO Group‘s infrastructure has also been used for projects supporting multi-cloud environments, where several service providers coexist within the same physical asset.
The result is a data-driven ecosystem, where the infrastructure follows the business, not the other way around. For investors and developers, this means greater ease in repositioning the asset as demand evolves.
Business park and data management: an evolving scenario
Strategic real estate as the foundation of the digital economy
Business parks as integrated hubs for the data age
Digitalisation is no longer limited to services or software: it requires a concrete, solid, connected and adaptable physical base. The AKNO Group’s business parks are born with this vision: not as simple logistical or industrial poles, but as true multifunctional hubs, capable of accommodating data centres, IT infrastructures and advanced production activities in a single integrated context.
This strategy maximises the synergy between physical and digital processes, reducing the distance between production, storage, data management and cloud services. This model is particularly effective for sectors such as pharma, automotive, food-tech and advanced logistics.
Digital-ready infrastructures: from the ground to the cloud
The construction of bare data centres within business parks represents the natural evolution of a model already tried and tested by AKNO Group: that of ‘build-to-evolve‘, i.e. buildings designed to adapt over time to the needs of the market.
Each park is equipped with high-capacity connections, readiness for fibre networks, structured cabling, redundant power supply and easy access to power distribution networks. This makes the entire environment digital-ready, and capable of attracting both cloud operators and enterprises with large internal data governance needs.
The key role of tech-driven real estate
In today’s environment, where data management and analysis is a competitive asset, the choice of location and infrastructure quality becomes a strategic business decision.
The business parks designed by AKNO Group respond to this trend by combining building flexibility, infrastructure resilience and optimal logistical positioning. The result is a future-proof real estate platform that allows customers not only to install high-performance data centres, but also to grow in a sustainable, integrated and scalable manner.
Raw infrastructure, structured vision: AKNO Group’s approach for the data centre of the future
In today’s context, where technology evolves more rapidly than the structures that host it, the ability to design infrastructures that are flexible, adaptable, and ready for change represents a substantial competitive advantage. The bare data centres proposed by AKNO Group respond exactly to this need: intelligent spaces, designed to host any technological evolution, with a careful eye on security, sustainability and scalability.
In a world where companies have to move between cloud, AI, edge computing and increasingly stringent security and environmental regulations, infrastructure becomes a strategic asset, not just an operational support.
AKNO Group provides not only buildings, but a complete infrastructure model, within business parks designed as integrated growth platforms. For investors and operators, this means reducing risk, increasing value over time and accelerating go-to-market.
Contact us to find out how a bare data centre can become the concrete basis for your next digital project.
📧servizio.clienti@aknogroup.com
AKNO Group is the infrastructure partner that anticipates market needs, building today what will be needed tomorrow.
Why choose AKNO Group?
AKNO Group stands out for its ability to offer tailor-made solutions, combining technological innovation and environmental awareness. With over 50 years of experience, AKNO Group is a reference point for all companies looking for modern, reliable, efficient and sustainable infrastructures.
Among the advantages of working with AKNO Group:
- Projects that can be customised according to customer requirements.
- Certified infrastructure to guarantee quality and safety.
- Continuous support at all stages of the project, from design to operational management.
Contact AKNO Group today
If you would like to know more about AKNO projects or the Group’s other projects, please do not hesitate to contact us. Discover how AKNO Group can support your company with state-of-the-art logistics solutions.
📧 Email: servizio.clienti@aknogroup.com
🌐 Website: www.aknogroup.com
AKNO Group: the ideal partner for your success in real estate and logistics.
