In recent years, technically complex structures such as wind farms and data centers have been increasingly developed in Lithuania. Last year, 44 modern wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 314 MW were erected in the Kelmė wind farm alone. As well as two new state data centers recently began operating in Vilnius. The design, construction, and maintenance processes for such facilities are much more complex than for conventional buildings. That is why they are classified as special structures. Experts note that the implementation of these projects requires increased attention, as mistakes can have consequences not only for business, but also for society and the state.
Buildings classified as special structures are almost always constructed with the help of experienced construction supervision specialists. However, as the number of such structures increases every year, questions are being raised in the market about how much such projects will actually cost. Also, who will be responsible for errors, and what the consequences will be if critical systems fail.
Technically more complex structures – from foundations to electrical power or fire protection systems
As explained by Darius Kvedaravičius, a partner at Viconus, which manages building construction and energy projects, a special building does not begin with a specific name in official documents. Instead, it starts at the moment when one or more engineering systems become more complex. It is the increasing complexity and significance of these systems within the building that defines it as special.
“Imagine a 100-apartment building. It typically has an electricity demand of around 1.5 megawatts. Meanwhile, a data center’s backup power generator alone can exceed 2 megawatts, and a single modern wind turbine generates between 5 and 7 megawatts of electricity. These figures clearly show that buildings that are formally similar actually operate in completely different technical weight categories,” compares D. Kvedaravičius.
In addition, according to the expert, foundations can be very important in technically complex structures such as wind turbines. That is because their size and design directly determine the safety of the entire facility. In data centers, electricity, cooling, and fire protection systems are critical. Without them, the building cannot function even for a short period of time. In such cases, one weak link can cause a chain reaction throughout the entire facility.
Increased Attention to the Design Phase
According to D. Kvedaravičius, technically complex structures are unique in that mistakes made during their design or construction are almost never localised. A single mistake can affect not only the entire building, but also the surrounding environment.
“Since one or more systems are critical in these facilities, if they fail, the entire facility fails. For example, if there are errors in the design or construction of a data center, residents may not be able to access Sodra, VMI, and other important databases. Disruptions can be sensitive at the state level, so in these turbulent times, reliability requirements for such important facilities are increasing,” he says.
That is why, according to the expert, the design stage is very important. Eliminating the risk of potential errors significantly increases the likelihood that there will be no misunderstandings in the future.
“The design stage is very important because it is where we design the costs, profits, quality, and ultimately the business model itself. It is more complex in technically more complex buildings because more parts need to be coordinated. For example, when heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, and engineering networks take up more space in the building. A line forgotten in the drawing during the design phase can cost hundreds of thousands of euros at a later stage. Given the importance of such buildings to the state, this can cost much more,” says D. Kvedaravičius.
He adds that in practice this often means that construction work has to be reorganized during construction. That is because it turns out that the systems do not fit, the loads have not been assessed, or the solutions do not work in real conditions.
In addition, he says, it is important to understand that design does not happen with one person, just like the entire project. All parties need to be coordinated. If the designer receives insights from the contractor or technical supervision, the solutions will always be more rational and better developed. Technical supervision acts as a second line of quality control.
The Decision is Assessed in Terms of Long-Term Reliability and Security
Technically complex structures such as state data centers require extremely high reliability standards. One of the latest examples demonstrating why professionally supervised design and construction are important for technically complex and highly significant buildings is the state data center (VDC) development project. It is being implemented by the Lithuanian Radio and Television Center (Telecentras).
Two data centers have recently been opened in Vilnius, and two more are planned. They will consolidate and store the servers and data of several hundred state institutions.
According to Arnas Zuikis, Director of Telecentro’s Business Development Department, when designing and constructing such facilities, special attention is paid to reliability and uninterrupted operation without exception, as any disruption in such infrastructure would have a direct impact on public services and the work of state institutions.
“Data center projects require not only advanced technological solutions. They also require extremely careful design and construction process control. That is because in facilities of this type, every decision—from structures to engineering systems—must be evaluated through the prism of long-term reliability and security. Given that these centers consolidate government data and IT systems, reliable technical supervision of construction and professional project management are essential to avoid mistakes that could have disproportionately serious consequences,” said Zuikis.
Competence and Rational Decision-Making
As experts explain, the risk of making mistakes increases when new market participants with financial resources but insufficient experience enter complex projects.
“Even in large-scale construction projects, the process may seem simple to most clients at first glance. Design, select a contractor, and build. However, in reality, there are many more details involved. Sometimes even expectations are not aligned. The client may think that the designer needs a building permit, but in fact the designer needs financing, and the client needs a permit to be able to do business. All expectations need to be aligned. When this is not done, the risk of making mistakes in such buildings increases,” says D. Kvedaravičius.
He emphasizes that, formally, technical supervision of structures classified as special structures can be carried out by any certified specialist. This is because the certificate specifies competencies that are registered and accredited at the state level. On the other hand, according to the expert, real competence, especially in the technical maintenance of special structures, comes through practice. This is most often the case when a project faces real challenges. For instance, delays in work, mistakes made by contractors, or decisions that have to be corrected during construction.
Developers who lack experience should be aware that when technical maintenance specialists are called in to help, the difference between formal qualifications and real-world experience becomes particularly important. No one is inclined to boast about mistakes, because they all come at a high price. In technically complex buildings, a lack of experience can cost not tens, but hundreds of thousands or even millions of euros. On the other hand, not every expensive solution is automatically a mistake. Sometimes a solution is irrational, but beautiful. For example, architecturally distinctive projects may cost more, but in the long run, they become powerful creations. The question is, through how do we evaluate this?” summarizes D. Kvedaravičius.
Technically complex structures require not only formal competencies, but also real experience and rational decisions. For investors or developers planning technically complex projects and who want the help of professional technical maintenance specialists, the expert advises them to first pay attention to what projects of similar complexity they have already implemented. As well as what challenges they faced during their construction.
“In this case, a portfolio and real-world experience are the best proof of competence. Competence arises when a project no longer goes according to plan and complex situations need to be resolved. Therefore, it is important not only to see a list of completed projects. It is also important to understand what problems the team has already solved in real projects,” summarizes the expert.
