How Fast Can You Really Build a $500M Data Center? - Inside the Adrenaline Rush of Data Center Construction
Bricks And Bytes
Speed, bell curve, and team fit
Katie describes the nonstop pace of tech builds, the absence of a typical construction bell curve, and team preferences for that tempo.
"We're always running at 100%. Some people love that. I think it's like an adrenaline rush."
That's how Katie Coulson describes leading Skanska Advanced Technology—where construction projects that typically take 2-3 years get done in a fraction of the time.
In today's episode of Bricks & Bytes, we had Katie Coulson from Skanska Advanced Technology and we got to learn about how they're building data centers and semiconductor fabs at tech company speed, why they're often starting construction before the design is even finalized, and what 31 years in construction has taught her about the future of the industry... and many more!
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Skanska's vertical unit model combines national tech expertise with local market knowledge to deliver high-speed projects across the US
✅ Why the traditional construction bell curve doesn't exist in data center and semiconductor work—and the type of people who thrive in that chaos
✅ The sophisticated subcontractor relationships that make it possible to mobilize quickly across different markets
✅ Katie's predictions on AI, offsite manufacturing, and robotics as solutions to construction's labor challenges (especially as remote work isn't an option for field teams)
If you're building in the data center or semiconductor space, or just curious about how construction is adapting to move at tech speed, this one's for you. Watch the full episode now. Link in the comment!
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
03:20 Introduction to Skanska Advanced Technologies 06:12 The Evolution of High-Tech Construction 09:06 Speed and Efficiency in Construction Projects 12:12 Stakeholder Engagement and Subcontractor Relationships 15:01 Client Demands and Market Dynamics 17:59 Procurement and Buyout Strategies 21:04 Offsite Manufacturing and Prefabrication 23:55 Technology Integration in Construction 26:59 Safety Measures and AI in Construction 30:06 Data Management and Quality Assurance
33:37 Innovations in Construction Technology
37:32 The Role of AI in Streamlining Processes
39:26 Comparing Traditional and Tech-Driven Construction
42:43 Balancing Innovation with Project Constraints
47:31 Managing Client Expectations in Tech Projects
50:42 Structure and Strategy of Advanced Technology Division
54:23 Building Trust and Team Dynamics
57:22 Advice for Aspiring Professionals in Data Centers
59:04 Future Predictions for Construction Technology
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