NDA Data Center Modular Panels

As part of the NDA Altoona Data Center campus expansion, Baker Group was responsible for BIM documentation, prefabrication, and installation of Building Management System (BMS) control panels on over five onsite buildings. With nearly 100 panels per building and thousands of connected devices, the project scale demanded a safer and more efficient approach than traditional site-built methods. 

To meet these demands, Baker Group designed and implemented a modular prefabrication strategy, which delivered key advantages to the client: 

• Improved safety by reducing high-risk on-site activities and exposure to field hazards. 

• Accelerated installation times through parallel offsite fabrication and onsite construction 

• Enhanced quality and consistency by building panels in a controlled shop environment. 

• Reduced trade stacking and congestion in tight mechanical spaces, improving coordination amongst trades. 

• Increased predictability in scheduling and system performance through standardized modular assemblies. 

The modular BMS panel solution has transformed Baker Group’s approach to large-scale mission-critical projects. Today, 60 of the 98 panels in each building on the campus are prefabricated, allowing the team to move hours offsite in a controlled environment. This project proves Baker Group’s ability to innovate under schedule and manpower pressures, delivering solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and quality while reinforcing its role as a trusted partner on some of the world's most demanding data center projects.