In today’s digital economy, data centers don’t just store information, they power entire industries. With the rise of AI, cloud platforms, and real-time data processing, these facilities are under growing pressure to operate at massive scale with zero tolerance for downtime.
But the resilience of a data center begins long before the servers go online. It starts with the infrastructure built to support it, from the substation and steel to the cooling systems and control networks.
At R.T. Patterson Company (RTP), we bring nearly 70 years of experience engineering utility-grade infrastructure for sectors where operational continuity is non-negotiable. That same discipline now helps data center developers build for performance, scalability, and future demand.
From Industrial Centers to Server Farms: Engineering for High-Stakes Environments
Data centers demand the same level of system reliability and lifecycle durability as the heavy industrial facilities we've supported for decades. Our legacy in manufacturing, power generation, and petrochemicals gives us deep insight into:
- Specialized mechanical systems
- Integrated electrical and control systems designed for uptime and efficiency
- Coordinated infrastructure layouts that simplify future expansion and ongoing maintenance
We understand how to engineer systems that operate 24/7, because we’ve done it for industries that never stop.
Supporting the Infrastructure That Supports the Cloud
Our work doesn’t stop at engineering drawings. We collaborate with developers, utilities, EPCs, and contractors to help engineer the physical systems that support data center operations. Our infrastructure services include:
- Electrical Engineering: Medium- and low-voltage distribution, substations, fault studies, and coordination
- Mechanical Systems: HVAC systems for power and control rooms, cooling support piping, and process utilities
- Automation & Controls: Instrumentation and control logic that ties systems together and provides real-time visibility
These are the foundational elements that allow data centers to scale confidently and operate reliably from day one.
Built for Today. Engineered for Tomorrow.
Every data center is evolving. Power demand is rising. Technologies are shifting. Uptime expectations are growing stricter.
Our approach to design and engineering accounts for that uncertainty, delivering infrastructure that supports what’s needed today and prepares for what’s next. That means:
- Maintainability built into the layout, not added later
- Code compliance embedded from the start, including seismic and wind loads and electrical reliability benchmarks
- Integrated commissioning support that ensures systems work together as designed
Whether the project is greenfield or retrofit, RTP brings consistency, quality, and foresight to every phase.
Infrastructure Experience That Moves With the Market
With engineering hubs in Pittsburgh, Merrillville, and Evansville, RTP offers both regional insight and national reach. Our clients rely on us not just for technical execution, but for our ability to work side-by-side with EPCs, developers, and owners to move projects forward efficiently.
Our infrastructure experience spans:
- Power generation and utilities
- Petrochemical and heavy manufacturing
- Industrial automation and process systems
- High-reliability, high-demand environments where failure is not an option
This is where we’ve built our name. And these are the challenges we’re built to solve.
Conclusion: A Trusted Engineering Partner for Mission-Critical Infrastructure
Building a data center means more than deploying servers and cables—it means delivering the infrastructure that will carry tomorrow’s technologies. That infrastructure must be durable, flexible, and engineered for long-term performance.
R.T. Patterson brings the systems-level thinking and field-proven engineering that critical operations depend on. We’re not just designing for uptime, we’re designing for what’s next.