A private university in downtown Boston relied on a compact seventh-floor data center to support campus IT services, academic systems, and day-to-day university operations. As server densities increased and cooling systems aged, the institution needed to modernize its infrastructure while maintaining continuous operation of the school’s core technology services.
The university reached out to LEDG to assess the environment and design improvements to enhance cooling capacity, resilience, and long-term maintainability within a constrained building footprint.
Cooling Constraints in a Vertical Urban Environment
The university’s enterprise data center occupied a seventh-floor space within a dense urban campus building. Mechanical infrastructure supporting the cooling and power systems, including condensers and generators, was located several floors above on the roof.
While quite common in city environments, this configuration introduced a few design and engineering considerations. For starters, the existing cooling system relied on perimeter CRAC units connected to a chilled-water loop, leaving the data center dependent on a single cooling source.
Adding new cooling capacity meant routing refrigerant piping through a narrow building chase and up several floors to rooftop condensers. The piping run approached the manufacturer’s allowable limits, requiring validation during the design process.
At the same time, all work needed to occur within an active data center environment. Installation had to be carefully planned to maintain uninterrupted campus technology services throughout construction and commissioning.
A Hybrid Cooling Architecture for Efficiency and Redundancy
Following its approved assessment, LEDG designed a cooling strategy that introduced in-row direct expansion (DX) cooling units within the existing rack layout while retaining the perimeter CRAC units already in place. The new in-row units were installed between server racks to deliver cooling closer to the heat source, improving airflow and cooling efficiency.
To support the system, LEDG engineered refrigerant piping that traveled vertically through the narrow chase to rooftop condensers located among other mechanical equipment. Also worth noting, the final design remained within the manufacturer’s allowable piping limits.
LEDG delivered the project using a design-build approach, coordinating mechanical and electrical contractors while overseeing installation within the live data center environment. Once commissioned, the in-row units became the primary cooling method, while the existing chilled-water CRAC units remained in place to provide redundant cooling capacity.
Greater Cooling Resilience Without Expanding the Data Center
The finished project enabled the university to modernize cooling infrastructure and improve operational resilience while continuing to operate within the same campus facility. As a result, the university was able to:
The project demonstrates how thoughtful engineering and coordinated execution can advance critical infrastructure even within dense urban settings.
Trusted Partnership Supports Ongoing Infrastructure Upgrades
Following the initial engagement, the university has continued to partner with LEDG on multiple infrastructure initiatives, including equipment upgrades and ongoing service support.
This long-term relationship reflects the value of combining technical expertise with trusted collaboration between campus IT leadership and infrastructure partners.
“Working in an active, city-based data center requires careful coordination and precision. The goal is always to strengthen the infrastructure while keeping the environment fully operational.”
Bill Crane, Director – Design-Build Services
Leading Edge Design Group