News & Insights

Salas O’Brien is proud to celebrate the Oppidan Data Center in Olathe, Kansas, which earned a 2026 PCI Design Award in the Data Center Buildings category. The award recognizes excellence in precast concrete design and highlights projects that successfully balance performance, constructability, and architectural impact.

As project manager and design architect, Salas O’Brien partnered closely with Oppidan and general contractor Whiting-Turner to deliver a facility that challenges common expectations for data center design. Rather than taking a purely utilitarian approach, the team focused on creating a building that performs at a high level while also contributing positively to its surroundings.

The PCI judges recognized the project for its thoughtful use of precast concrete, which allowed the team to achieve a refined, durable façade while meeting the demanding requirements of a mission-critical facility. The design integrates texture, depth, and material quality, elevating the building beyond the warehouse-style appearance often associated with data centers.

The award-winning facility is part of Salas O’Brien’s ongoing partnership with Oppidan, supporting its turnkey data center program. That collaboration brings together architecture, engineering, and repeatable design strategies to help Oppidan deliver scalable, efficient, and high-performing data centers across its growing portfolio.

This recognition reflects Salas O’Brien’s strength in mission-critical environments and its ability to pair technical requirements with thoughtful, high-quality design. It also reinforces how strong collaboration and early alignment can lead to facilities that perform reliably while setting a higher standard for the data center market. Read more about the award here.

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