Why Flexibility Is Now the Core Strategy in APAC Data Centres with AirTrunk
Featuring Mick Mayers, Senior Director – Design, AirTrunk
Across Asia Pacific, data centre leaders are facing a paradox. Facilities being designed today may not go live until 2028 or beyond. Yet the AI chips they are being built to support are evolving every 12–18 months.
This disconnect is redefining what “future-proof” really means.
At the cancelled Advancing Data Centre Design, Engineering & Construction APAC Summit, Mick Mayers, Senior Director – Design at AirTrunk, would have addressed what he calls one of the most critical shifts in hyperscale infrastructure design: chip technology is evolving faster than the buildings built around it.
From 10kW to 2MW: The New High-Density Reality
Just a few years ago, predictable cloud environments operated comfortably around 10kW per rack. Today, with AI-driven workloads and liquid cooling adoption accelerating, projections are pointing toward rack densities exceeding 2MW by 2028.
For APAC markets already navigating:
- Land scarcity in Singapore
- Grid constraints in India and Southeast Asia
- Power reliability challenges in emerging markets
…this density surge is not simply a design evolution – it is a structural transformation.
The implication?
Traditional design philosophies no longer hold.
Flexibility Over Forecasting
Historically, data centre design has relied heavily on forecasting capacity requirements years in advance. But when hardware cycles compress and AI specifications shift rapidly, rigid design becomes risk exposure.
In his Day 1 case study session – The New Normal in Data Centre Design Philosophy, Mick would have explored how hyperscale operators are:
Designing adaptable power and cooling architectures
Embedding modularity into structural and MEP systems
Creating layouts that can evolve without full redesign
Managing complexity early to protect speed-to-market
The focus is not on prediction – it is on resilience through flexibility.
Why This Matters Specifically in APAC
Each country presents different:
- Regulatory approval frameworks
- Utility engagement processes
- Climate and cooling conditions
- Construction labour realities
Designing for flexibility in APAC requires aligning global hyperscale standards with local delivery constraints – a balancing act many operators are still refining. For senior design, engineering and construction leaders across Asia Pacific, the key takeaway is clear:
If your facility cannot adapt, it risks obsolescence before it opens.
What Attendees Would Have Gained
Mick’s session would have offered practical insight into:
Iterative design strategies for AI-ready facilities
Maintaining execution discipline under evolving specs
Bridging cutting-edge chip evolution with real-world constructability
Protecting long-term asset viability in fast-moving markets
For organisations building high-density, AI-ready infrastructure across APAC, flexibility is no longer optional – it is the new baseline.