Nicholas Webb

Welcome to studioNWA, a leading design studio specialising in the creation of some of the world's most cutting-edge data centres. Since our establishment in 2002, we have been collaborating with clients to deliver reliable, adaptable, and sustainable solutions that meet their current and future requirements. Our team of specialists is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of design, combining expertise and passion for excellence to create innovative and environmentally conscious solutions.

At studioNWA, we understand the importance of considering the environmental impact of our designs. As material specifiers, we engage with stakeholders in the supply chain to stay up-to-date with advances in manufacturing processes of traditional materials and to encourage the use of lower carbon alternatives. We analyse embodied carbon data from Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certificates and prioritise reduced upfront carbon (A1-A5) and circularity whenever possible. Our carbon management tool, ECMat, helps us produce project case studies and benchmark embodied carbon of materials as we continue to improve our carbon-conscious spec.

Our Approach

Our approach to design is based on several key principles. We work in accordance with our BIM Standards, based on ISO 19650, to manage and provide information. We apply a "fabric first" approach to our designs, optimising the thermal performance of the building envelope to reduce energy use demands from the outset. In data centre typologies, this methodology is particularly effective for the design of administration blocks, where daylighting and views out are essential for office areas with permanent workstations, meeting rooms, and amenity spaces.

We also invest in our own sustainability capabilities, using software that provides real-time design feedback on elements that affect thermal performance of the building fabric. Our design toolkit can assist the team in identifying optimal areas for the installation of solar panels based on incident solar irradiation values on horizontal and vertical planes.

Urban Greening

At studioNWA, we recognise the importance of urban greening and its potential for contributing to the mitigation of heat island effect, air pollution, rainwater storm management, and on-site carbon capture. We engage with Local Planning authorities and specialists to identify the best solution for a given project site, meeting relevant policy targets.

Operational Carbon Management Plan

We are committed to reducing operational carbon emissions, in line with the UK and global Net Zero target by 2050 to limit the effects of climate change. Our framework identifies operational carbon emissions categories based on the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Corporate Standard for accounting.