Industrial Construction and Data Centers

The most important decisions in project development are made long before construction begins.

The project development phase for industrial buildings and data centers forms the foundation for the success of the entire project. This is where the building’s technical features, energy solutions, capacity and scalability are defined – decisions that directly influence both construction costs and long-term operating costs.

In data center projects, key development-phase considerations include server capacity planning, selection of cooling systems, power supply reliability and redundancy, as well as opportunities to utilize waste heat. Industrial buildings require attention to process‑specific needs, smooth logistics flows, floor load capacity, sufficient ceiling heights and future expansion options.
When Fira is involved already during project development, our clients benefit from choices that support constructability. We help avoid costly changes during execution and ensure that design solutions are technically feasible, cost‑efficient and realistic from a scheduling perspective. The best results are achieved when the developer and the builder work together before the first drawings are finalized.
When selecting a location, it is often beneficial to explore several potential sites that support your business needs.
Do you need support in finding a suitable plot?

Do you need support in finding a suitable plot?

We navigate the regulatory requirements on your behalf

The permit process for industrial buildings and data centers is significantly more complex than for standard commercial properties. These projects often involve special building types, heavy floor load capacities, high electrical power demands and advanced technical systems — all of which require careful attention in the permitting phase.

For data centers, key permitting considerations include electrical power availability and grid connection requirements, fire safety design, noise control for cooling equipment and potential district heating connections for waste heat recovery. In industrial buildings, critical issues include environmental permits, safety regulations for work and production processes, requirements related to chemical storage and traffic arrangements caused by heavy transport.

Fira’s strength lies in anticipating permit-related requirements and challenges early in the project. We understand building control practices, fire and rescue authority requirements and local conditions. We help assemble the necessary reports and documentation, manage communication with authorities and ensure the permit process moves forward without unnecessary delays. This saves time and reduces the risk of costly resubmissions or redesign cycles.
When the permitting process is managed professionally from the start, the project can move into construction according to plan — and this often makes the difference of months, or even entire quarters, in the overall project timeline.

Choosing the right delivery model plays a major role in the success of a construction project.

The delivery model defines how the building and related services are procured, and it directly affects how well the project goals can be supported and how risks can be managed. With the wrong model, valuable opportunities to use the contractor’s expertise in design solutions or cost efficiency may be lost.
We work with you to agree on the delivery model that best supports your project.

Design–bid–build (fixed-price contract)
This model suits projects where the plans are complete and the outcome is precisely defined. The client receives a fixed price and a clear schedule, but flexibility for changes is limited.

Construction management / project management contract
This method gives the client more control over costs and allows construction to start before all plans are finalized. It can significantly speed up the overall schedule, especially in large data center and industrial projects where time is a critical factor.

Design–build (turnkey contract)
Design and construction are handled by a single partner. This is an effective choice when you want to use the builder’s expertise already in the design phase and optimize solutions for constructability, cost and schedule.

Alliance model
Ideal for complex and technically demanding projects where close collaboration and shared goals between the client, designers and builder lead to the best outcome. The model supports innovation and solution-oriented work.
We are also familiar with international frameworks such as RIBA, FIDIC and others — and adapt them smoothly into Finnish site practices and documentation.

Fira’s experts help you choose the delivery model that best supports your project goals. We have experience with all major contract models and can tailor the approach to suit your project. We also assist with drafting contracts so that roles, responsibilities and targets are clear to all parties from the very beginning.

Every week counts, and every delay is costly
In industrial and data center projects, the schedule is not just a project management tool – it is a critical factor that directly affects business performance. If a production facility is not operational on time or a data center cannot onboard customers as planned, every delayed week means lost revenue, postponed contracts and increasing financing costs.

Schedule certainty starts already in the project development phase. An unrealistic schedule inevitably leads to pressure, quality issues and rising costs. A realistic and well‑planned schedule, on the other hand, gives all parties a clear framework and enables resources to be allocated at the right time.

Fira’s strength is our ability to plan and maintain a reliable schedule. We identify critical paths, manage dependencies between work stages and anticipate known risks. We use modern project management tools and keep the client continuously informed about project progress — not only when problems have already appeared.

In data center and industrial projects, long‑lead items significantly affect the schedule: large power transformers, cooling equipment, process machinery and technical building systems. We anticipate these bottlenecks, order critical equipment early and coordinate deliveries seamlessly with construction progress.
Schedule certainty does not happen by accident — it is the result of systematic planning, experienced project management and the ability to solve issues before they turn into delays.

Transparency and cost efficiency throughout the entire project

Budgeting for industrial buildings and data centers is one of the most challenging parts of the project. These projects are large and technically complex, and hundreds of factors influence the total cost — from raw material prices and exchange rates to delivery times for specialised equipment and design changes. Without strict budget control, costs can easily escalate.
Fira’s approach to budgeting is built on three principles: realism, transparency and anticipation.
Realism means we do not create overly optimistic cost estimates just to win a project. Our budgets are based on real market prices, known risks and allowances for unforeseen situations. An underestimated budget inevitably leads to problems and conflicts as the project progresses — a realistic, well‑prepared budget builds trust and enables smooth delivery.
Transparency means the client sees and understands exactly how costs are formed. We break down our offer clearly: construction works, HVAC, electrical systems, automation, specialist equipment, project management. We do not hide costs under vague categories. When the budget is transparent, cost control and optimisation become much easier.
Anticipation means we continuously track costs as the project moves forward. We identify potential budget risks early and report them to the client immediately — not after the money has already been spent. We also spot opportunities for savings and optimisation. Material choices, delivery timing and working methods can often produce significant savings without compromising quality.
In data centers and industrial projects, understanding lifecycle costs is especially important — not just the construction cost. The cheapest solution during construction may become the most expensive during use if energy consumption is high, maintenance needs are frequent or system lifetimes are short. We help clients make choices that minimise total costs across the entire lifecycle of the building.

Every project needs a dedicated leader from the client’s organization

In Fira’s projects, our core team supports the client’s key people and helps establish an effective steering group for the project.

Building industrial facilities and data centers is a massive coordination task. Many stakeholders, thousands of work phases and countless dependencies must align and move forward smoothly. Without strong project management, even the best plans will not lead to a successful outcome.

Good project management means controlling the entire process from start to finish: clear roles and responsibilities, smooth communication, proactive problem‑solving and the ability to make the right decisions at the right time. It also means addressing issues immediately when they arise — not weeks or months later when they are already expensive to fix and heavily impact the schedule.
Fira’s project management combines construction experience, technical understanding and the ability to lead complex projects.

Every project has a dedicated project manager who serves as the client’s primary contact and oversees overall coordination. Behind them is an experienced team supporting technical design, procurement, quality assurance and schedule management.

We hold regular project meetings to review progress, identify potential risks and make decisions together with the client. We use digital project management tools that provide a real‑time view of the project — including costs, schedule and quality. The client always has clear visibility into where the project stands and what happens next.

In demanding industrial and data center projects, the ability to manage technical interfaces is especially important. Structural, electrical, HVAC, automation and process design must be aligned already in the planning phase. Without this, coordination issues will inevitably occur, leading to additional work, extra costs and delays on site. Fira acts as the integrator and ensures that everything fits together.

Strong project management shows in the final result: the project is completed on time, within budget and at the agreed level of quality. That is a promise Fira keeps.

A project should be planned with changing environmental requirements, community relations, social responsibility, ethical practices, safety and the company’s own values in mind.

These elements support project success and ensure satisfaction long after the building is taken into use. We are familiar with all major certification systems and assist in both applying for certifications and ensuring compliance during construction.
Based on project‑specific needs, we offer low‑carbon alternative products in cooperation with our partner network to help meet emissions‑reduction targets.

We compare low‑carbon building elements and materials based on CO₂ impact, cost and added value. We identify and implement the most suitable low‑carbon material and product solutions, focusing on customer needs, impact and cost efficiency.

When needed, we also produce building operation guidance videos that support sustainable use of the facility.