A Partnership Built at the Speed of Mission Critical
A decade ago, data center construction was still a relatively new frontier. Clune, being an early trusted contractor in the sector, was already immersed in building these ultra-sensitive environments that required meticulous planning, coordination, building, testing and commissioning. So, when Serverfarm, a hyperscale data center infrastructure developer with 25+ years of expertise in designing, modernizing and operating AI-ready facilities worldwide, brought Clune on for its Chicago projects, the partnership clicked quickly. Those early projects built more than just spaces; they created a shared understanding of the pace, pressure and problem-solving needed in these environments.
From Chicago, the partnership quickly expanded to Los Angeles, where Clune navigated a milestone live renovation that demanded both precision and flexibility. Next, a fast-track expansion in Moses Lake, Washington tested the teams with unexpected challenges. But the rapport forged over the years allowed Clune and Serverfarm to adapt in real time, keeping the project on schedule without compromising quality.
A Relationship That Opened a New Market
Those back-to-back successes ultimately opened the door to Houston. When Serverfarm planned its new CTX Houston campus, bringing Clune on board was the obvious choice. No matter which Clune team was deployed, the group came in aligned on Serverfarm’s standards and expectations. Years of collaboration created a shared understanding of the client’s decision-making style and operational priorities, allowing the team to mobilize quickly and deliver on schedule while exceeding expectations. While Clune builds data centers every day, it’s the logistics, trust and alignment of personalities that truly define these projects, and that alignment extends well beyond the jobsite.
This collaboration was on full display at the recent topping out for Serverfarm’s CTX2 facility, where multiple Clune offices stood alongside Serverfarm and trade partners to celebrate the structure reaching its highest point. The moment recognized not just schedule progress, but the craft professionals and safety culture that made it possible. For a partnership built across cities, it was a reminder that the work ultimately comes down to people on site, executing the same standard no matter the zip code.
Aligned on What Matters: Performance and Sustainability
The Houston campus represents an opportunity to deliver on Serverfarm’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure development. The CTX campus features two facilities with closed-loop cooling technology that eliminates water waste – a significant achievement in an industry where traditional data centers can consume millions of gallons monthly. This approach aligns with Serverfarm’s broader sustainability strategy, including adaptive reuse methodology that significantly reduces embodied carbon compared to ground-up construction.
For Clune, this meant building to exacting technical specifications while supporting Serverfarm’s environmental targets. The facilities are designed to support high-density AI workloads with rack capacities of 50kW and above, requiring precise coordination of power, cooling and structural systems. Delivering this level of performance within aggressive timelines demanded the kind of operational fluency that only comes from years of partnership.
Achieving a Clune Standard
Houston has also exemplified a new standard of collaboration across regions. The project draws on expertise from multiple Clune offices nationwide, each contributing complementary strengths while working from the same proven processes. One team leads one project, while another leads the neighboring one, and both operate with aligned expectations around quality, communication and consistency. Local Texas team members were integrated early to support subcontractor relationships and regional building practices, creating a blend of national standards and local insight. From paperwork and financial processes to safety culture and OAC meetings, Clune operates with a shared approach across regions, ensuring consistency without losing local perspective.
A Launchpad for What Comes Next
As the first project reaches its final stages, the Texas portfolio is positioned to grow with continued involvement from Clune teams across the country. Serverfarm’s focus on sustainable, AI-ready infrastructure positions them as a leader in next-generation data center development, and Clune’s ability to deliver complex, high-performance facilities across multiple markets makes the partnership a natural fit for what comes next. What began as a single project years ago has become a nationwide relationship built on shared knowledge, adaptability and the confidence that comes from delivering complex environments.
TLDR (Too Long Didn’t Read)
The Challenge: Delivering mission critical projects across diverse regions while maintaining consistent standards, meeting fast-track schedules, supporting ambitious sustainability targets and building AI-ready infrastructure with high-density power requirements.
The Solution: Deploying experienced cross-regional teams who understand the client’s operations and sustainability commitments, integrating early, communicating transparently and applying lessons learned from nearly a decade of shared work.
The Outcome: A national partnership built on reliability, adaptability and the kind of trust that opens new markets and keeps projects moving, delivering sustainable, high-performance facilities that support the future of AI infrastructure.
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