The redevelopment of the Global Switch facility transformed the former Government Printing Office into a state-of-the-art data centre between 2000 and 2003. Designed to deliver 20.5MW of power capacity across seven levels, the project required materials capable of meeting the demanding performance standards of enterprise-grade IT operations. Located beside a busy freeway, managing noise intrusion was a critical design challenge. A specialist Durra Panel suspended ceiling system, finished with White Soundsorb, was installed to create a quiet, safe, and thermally stable environment.
The Global Switch Ultimo Data Centre redevelopment required a ceiling system that could meet the demanding needs of a multi-level, enterprise-grade IT facility. Located beside a busy freeway, managing noise intrusion was a key challenge, as staff and sensitive equipment needed a consistently quiet environment. The ceiling also had to provide fire resistance and thermal stability, ensuring safe and stable conditions throughout the critical areas of the data centre. At the same time, the system needed to support suspended services across all seven levels without compromising its structural integrity or acoustic performance. The project demanded a solution that could combine safety, performance, and operational reliability in one cohesive system.
To address these challenges, the team specified the Durra Panel suspended ceiling system, finished in commercial-grade White Soundsorb. The engineered structural grid provided the strength and flexibility required to support suspended services while maintaining acoustic and structural integrity. The system’s multi-functional design delivered superior noise reduction, thermal insulation, and fire resistance, creating a quiet, safe, and thermally stable environment for staff and critical IT operations. The installation was executed in close collaboration with Tonkin Engineering, Axis Roofing, and Fletcher Construction, ensuring the ceiling system met both technical requirements and operational standards. By combining these attributes into a single, high-performance solution, Durra Panel successfully addressed the complex acoustic, thermal, and safety challenges inherent to the data centre environment.
The result is a quiet, safe, and high-performance workspace that meets the precision requirements of modern enterprise IT operations. Durra Panel’s ceiling solution demonstrates how multi-functional systems can solve complex acoustic, thermal, and fire-safety challenges in demanding environments. Staff and critical IT equipment benefit from consistent environmental conditions, operational safety, and long-term performance.
Contact us to find out how Durra Panel can transform your next project.
Read more about how Durra Panel can be specified for high performance data centres here
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