A render of a data centre created by artificial intelligence (AI). (Image: Adobe Stock)

On the whole, the company said launching SAT is a strategic move aimed at addressing the growing demand for high-tech construction; delivering specialised projects such as semiconductor fabrication facilities, data centres, and other advanced technology infrastructure.

Coulson, who has worked across various high-tech sectors, describes the timing of SAT鈥檚 creation as pivotal, given the surge in demand for such projects, particularly in her native US.

鈥淲e鈥檙e in a unique position to deliver these highly specialised projects for our clients,鈥� she tells Construction Briefing. 鈥淲ith the expansion of AI [artificial intelligence], cloud computing, and other high-tech industries, companies are looking for strategic partners who understand the operational challenges of these complex facilities.鈥�

Katie Coulson, Skanska USA

What is Skanska Advanced Technology?

SAT is a dedicated unit within Skanska USA that consolidates the company鈥檚 expertise in high-tech construction.

The goal, Coulson says, is to standardise and streamline project execution, ensuring efficiency across multiple geographies and clients. According to Coulson, the unit allows Skanska to capitalise on its years of experience in the sector and develop best practices for the industry鈥檚 evolving needs.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been doing this type of work for decades,鈥� she explains. 鈥淏ut now, instead of working on these projects in silos, we鈥檙e bringing it all together to improve execution and innovation.鈥�

The primary focus of SAT is on designing, constructing, and retrofitting highly complex facilities that house sensitive equipment and require precise environmental controls, like fab and manufacturing facilities, data centres and high-science labs.

Why is Skanska Advaned Technology needed in the US?

Where construction and technology merge (Image: Adobe Stock)

The need to create a specialised unit to tackle these complex projects is due to the fast-paced and adaptive nature of the segment.

鈥淎 lot of times, our clients are figuring out what they need to build while we鈥檙e already in the process of constructing it,鈥� Coulson notes. 鈥淲e do a lot of first-of-a-kind projects, and our job is to ensure they work when they鈥檙e complete.鈥�

Everything from designing for water runoff, having the right energy infrastructure, and even basic security protocols can tangle the progress of a high-technology construction job, which Coulson said SAT is strategically built to unwind.

She adds increasing complexity and scale of tech builds, too, makes SAT an essential addition to Skanska鈥檚 modern operations.

鈥淭hese aren鈥檛 just big boxes where you plug in machinery,鈥� Coulson says. 鈥淭he extreme power and cooling requirements, the security and redundancy measures, and the environmental controls make them highly specialised.鈥�

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Additionally, sustainability and efficiency are becoming more critical in construction. SAT is focused on solutions such as AI-driven design optimisation, modular construction and sustainable building materials.

鈥淐lients are demanding more sustainable solutions, and we need to be at the forefront of delivering them,鈥� Coulson says.

One example is Skanska鈥檚 trials of low-carbon concrete solutions. Coulson says SAT will trial different materials and approaches, serving as a niche research and development arm within Skanska USA.

The company, elsewhere, has experimented with sustainable concrete solutions in Sweden (one collection called 鈥淕reen Concrete鈥�) and the Czech Republic, where Skanska is trialling concrete made 100% from recycled concrete and masonry aggregates. Skanska has also researched concrete reinforced with basalt fibres.

Another key advantage of SAT is its role in retrofitting existing facilities without disrupting ongoing operations.

鈥淢any of these facilities run 24/7, so we need to make upgrades without causing downtime,鈥� she explains. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 where our experience in mitigating impacts comes into play.鈥�

The future of Skanska鈥檚 advanced tech unit for construction

Skanska workers walk along a construction site. (Image: Skanska)

SAT is already working on several projects and has positioned itself as a central resource within Skanska.

Coulson says, going forward, she sees the unit as a way to enhance collaboration between teams and improve how Skanska approaches high-tech construction.

鈥淣ow, when someone within Skanska encounters a highly technical challenge, they know exactly where to go for expertise,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hat kind of efficiency is a game-changer.鈥�

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Essentially, Coulson envisions SAT as a hub for continuous innovation and strategic problem-solving. 鈥淲e鈥檙e always looking at new ways to build鈥攚hether that鈥檚 through AI-driven design, offsite manufacturing, or advanced robotics,鈥� she explains. 鈥淥ur goal is to stay ahead of market needs and help our clients implement the latest construction technologies.鈥�

Additionally, Coulson emphasises the importance of research and development within the unit. 鈥淲e鈥檙e constantly trialling new materials and construction methods,鈥� she says. 鈥淓xploring how prefabrication can improve efficiency, and even integrating more automated tools into our processes.鈥�

SAT鈥檚 future also includes a stronger focus on adapting to regional challenges.

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鈥淎 project in the Midwest has very different infrastructure and environmental requirements compared to one on the West Coast,鈥� Coulson notes. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why SAT is positioned to develop solutions that are not only cutting-edge but also adaptable to different locations and regulatory environments.鈥�

As demand for high-tech facilities continues to grow, Coulson expects SAT to play a key role in Skanska鈥檚 strategy for the US market. With a combination of cutting-edge construction methods, sustainability initiatives, and a highly experienced team, the unit is poised to tackle some of the industry鈥檚 most complex challenges.

鈥淭he bottom line is that technology is evolving at an incredible pace, and we need to evolve with it,鈥� Coulson says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what SAT is about 鈥� helping our clients stay ahead, building the facilities of the future, and ensuring we鈥檙e always one step ahead of what鈥檚 coming next.鈥�