Build

The ‘Build’ phase turns plans and designs into operational data centre facilities. It demands a comprehensive approach balancing project management, regulatory compliance, sustainability and financial planning.
Illustration representing the build phase of the data centre lifecycle, showing construction delivery, project management, regulatory compliance and sustainable infrastructure development.

Typical objectives

1

Manage construction, budgets & deadlines

Ensure completion within set budgets and deadlines. Overruns or delays cause significant financial impacts and jeopardise overall viability.

2

Coordinate development teams & stakeholders

Implement project management to align construction teams, real estate experts and supply chain partners with stakeholders.

3

Ensure regulatory compliance

Compliance extends beyond environmental obligations to include standards on planning and building control, health and safety, labour and supply chain.

4

Embed sustainability across procurement & delivery

Apply sustainability to design, materials, energy use, waste, biodiversity and contractor oversight to meet EU and UK requirements.

5

Proactively manage disputes & legal challenges

Anticipate and resolve disputes and legal challenges early to avoid costly delay, disruption, and value erosion.

6

Stay informed: regulations & market trends

Keep up to date on current insight to navigate regulatory change, market dynamics, and risks, ensuring successful completion and operation.

“Disciplined execution and coordinated delivery, with safety and compliance, turn hyperscale designs into operational data centres.”

Romeo Szejnmann

Partner, Osborne Clarke Germany

A data centre cooling system.

Key regulations

During the ‘Build’ phase, you must address regulations relevant to permitting, construction and occupational safety, environmental protection, product and material compliance, and sustainability.

Last updated 31 October 2025

These may be subject to change.

European Union

OSH Framework 89/391/EEC
Construction Sites 92/57/EEC
EU Procurement Directives (EU) 2014/23/24/25

National level

Construction contracts and design appointments
e.g. Germany: VOB/B; International: FIDIC; Germany: HOAI; RIBA/UK standard forms
Local building codes/ordinances for permits and technical standards (fire, structural, MEP)
e.g. UK Building Regulations 2010; Germany’s Landesbauordnungen/MBO; France’s Code de la construction et de l’habitation; Netherlands’ Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving (Omgevingswet); Spain’s Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE)
National transpositions of construction site health and safety
e.g. Germany’s Baustellenverordnung; UK CDM 2015
Procurement and supply chain due diligence/ESG laws
e.g. Germany’s Supply Chain Act; France’s Duty of Vigilance Law; UK Modern Slavery Act 2015
Dispute resolution via local procedural law; contractually agreed mediation or arbitration mechanisms

How we can help

We offer comprehensive legal support throughout the ‘Build’ phase to ensure compliant delivery, financial efficiency and risk reduction:

Construction and design contract management

Real estate compliance and approvals

Regulatory standards and permitting

Corporate structuring and governance

Tax planning and optimisation

Sustainability and ESG integration

Green power solutions integration

Risk mitigation and oversight

Contact our experts
our Experience
A hyperscale developer
A hyperscale developer on its UK and European developments with an electrical requirement of over 1,000MVA. Advice included securing site-specific advice on grid connection strategy and securing grid connection, planning, construction, telecoms issues, financing and end customer lease arrangements.
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Finance

The ‘Finance’ phase arranges funding and capital structures, aligning risk, compliance and sustainability to support delivery and operations.
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Operate

The ‘Operate’ phase maintains performance through capacity management, maintenance, security, resilience, audits and ongoing compliance.

Our experts

Our team of specialists can guide you through every aspect of the ‘Build’ phase.

A headshot of Romeo Szejnmann, Partner at Osborne Clarke Germany
Romeo Szejnmann
Partner
Osborne Clarke Germany
+49 40 55436 4048
Email Romeo
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Ana Isabel Lozano
Counsel
Osborne Clarke Spain
+34 91 576 44 76
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Simone Monesi
Partner, Head of Urban Dynamics
Osborne Clarke Italy
+39 02 5413 1758
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Emma McPeake
Partner
Osborne Clarke UK
+44 20 7105 7366
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François-Régis Fabre-Falret
Partner
Osborne Clarke France
+33 1 84 82 41 14
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Nicholas Grewal
Partner
Osborne Clarke UK
+44 20 7105 7948
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