In the new age of super high-density and accelerating power demands, speed is the name of the game. Access to the right infrastructure, quickly, is vital for operators looking to keep up with growing demand and adapt to a shifting landscape.

Constructing traditional data centers from the ground up can be time-consuming and costly – but the fact remains that, at least for now, physical data centers are often a necessity. So, what are the solutions for streamlining the building process itself, to deliver high-density, adaptable data centers fit for the demands of tomorrow?

Prefabricated modular data centers are increasingly addressing some of the key challenges presented by the traditional construction process. Modular designs can incorporate the main building, plus core electrical, plumbing, and cooling systems, delivering all-in-one, ready to run data centers, delivered with ease and efficiency.

Looking to rewrite the rules on what fast looks like, Singapore-based developer K2 Strategic recently secured the Editor’s Choice Award at the DCD Awards for a standout project in Malaysia, and it’s easy to see why.

The award-winning development is a 60MW data center campus located in Johor, with the first two buildings delivering 40MW using a fully modular, containerized design. It features high-density server racks, waterless cooling, and an impressive construction timeline.

K2 Strategic’s senior general manager of delivery, Yan Ke, shares how the company’s modular approach is helping to deliver future-ready infrastructure solutions at speed, without compromising on quality. In the world of hyperscale data infrastructure, K2 is setting a blistering pace.

Building at the speed of AI

“We actually delivered 40 megawatts in less than nine months – without any shortcuts,” says Ke. “If you count all the power work, the whole delivery was under 11 months. We think that might be a new record.”

At a time when AI is fueling unprecedented demand for compute infrastructure, data center speed-to-market is more crucial than ever. AI deployments don’t wait. As cloud providers and hyperscalers scramble to bring capacity online, companies like K2 are innovating data center construction to keep operators firmly in the race.

Ke explains that speed isn’t just a goal, it’s a differentiator: “Speed to market is always one of our key selling points. It’s what makes us stand out,” he says. “Especially in Asia, the market is extremely competitive. Europe too. Everyone wants fast, but you can't compromise on performance.”

The key ingredients: Planning, parallelism, and people

What’s behind K2’s seemingly impossible timelines? According to Ke, it comes down to three core ingredients: rigorous planning, a modular-first approach, and a flat management structure that enables rapid decision-making.

“At K2, we put a lot of effort into the planning phase. We understand the customer needs, the market, and the supply chain,” he says. “From day one, we’ve embraced modular solutions – not just for components like electrical systems, but for entire buildings.”

This philosophy enables K2 to run multiple workstreams in parallel. While civil works like piling are underway on-site, server rack modules are being assembled in factories. It’s a choreography that requires expert coordination and supply chain trust, and K2 has built those relationships with years of refinement.

“We design, procure, construct, and commission in tight cycles,” explains Ke. “For example, while we were doing the piling for Johor, we already had massive module production going on. That’s the key. Everything runs in parallel.”

The company also benefits from a nimble organizational structure and strong backing; “Flat management means short decision-making paths. From design to power-on, everything is streamlined. And we’re backed by a strong funding group, which allows us to move quickly when opportunities arise,” he adds.

Award-winning innovation

K2’s Malaysia project stood out not just for its speed, but for its technical ingenuity. DCD’s Editor’s Choice Award, selected by the publication’s editorial team, recognizes innovation that doesn't always fit neatly into traditional award categories – but deserves recognition nonetheless. DCD’s editor-in-chief and publisher, Sebastian Moss sheds light on the award:

“Each year, the DCD editorial team goes through award entries to find the one that we think was overlooked and deserved its own recognition. This Editor's Choice Award is independently chosen, and announced at our annual show.

“We were impressed with how K2 Strategic deployed two 40MW data centers within just nine months, a record deployment at scale. A prefabricated modular approach was combined with an innovative non-water, air-cooled fan-wall, delivered high flexibility, reliability and efficiency with a decentralized and distributed architecture – opening a new chapter in the construction of AI data centers.”

Ke sees the build as just the beginning: “This project really validated our approach. But we’re already thinking about how to take it further – scaling up, pushing boundaries.”

Scaling the modular mindset

Modular designs, once associated with smaller, Edge deployments, are being scaled up to hyperscale dimensions. “When I first came to APAC, delivering 10 or 20MW in one project was a big deal,” says Ke. “Now, with AI demand, customers are asking for 100MW minimum to start. Some are planning for campuses up to 1GW.”

To meet this demand, K2 is evolving its modular approach. The company’s latest solutions offer increased clearance and liquid cooling support, addressing concerns about flexibility and performance in high-density environments.

“The modular approach has some limitations, like spatial flexibility,” explains Ke. “But we’re addressing that with next-gen designs, seven-meter clearances, liquid cooling readiness, better integration. And our customers are starting to treat modular as a core strategy.”

Still, modular isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. K2 also continues to build traditional data centers for customers who prioritize broader contractor options or cost optimization. For operators, the ability to identify and deploy the right solutions for their unique goals is vital for success, and for the continued growth of the industry.

“Our modular cost is very competitive, thanks to our supply chain,” says Ke. “But to deliver, say, 60MW in four to five months, only a handful of suppliers worldwide can support that. It’s a challenge we accept, but we stay flexible.”

Adapting to global challenges

Of course, delivering globally at scale is not without its headaches. Trade tensions and shifting tariffs complicate supply chains, especially in key markets like the US.

“Tariffs are a challenge – not just in the US, but globally. That’s why we spend so much time building and diversifying our supply chain,” explains Ke.

K2’s approach isn’t limited to any one region. With its modular offerings now forming part of its core product set, the company is eyeing expansion into Europe – including markets like Spain and Ireland, depending on local regulations.

“We’re not restricted to Johor,” says Ke. “We’re developing modular as a product that can be deployed anywhere – if it meets compliance requirements.”

The future of speed and certainty

With AI demand evolving from training-centric workloads to inference-heavy applications, it’s clear that infrastructure needs are shifting too. Ke predicts that the next wave will emphasize flexibility, modularity, and certainty in delivery:

“You don’t always need massive GPU clusters. Inference and reasoning are becoming more important,” he says. “We’re seeing more interest in solutions that balance traditional shells with modular cores – like skid systems. It offers the speed and quality customers need.”

And while the market may cycle, demand won’t disappear. “Some US customers are slowing down deployments right now. That’s part of the cycle,” he notes. “But we know another wave is coming. Our job is to be ready – to deliver certainty.”

For Ke, that’s the heart of K2 Strategic’s mission: “In an uncertain market, my role is to bring certainty. Certainty in timelines. Certainty in quality. That’s what our customers value most. And that’s what we aim to deliver, every time.”

As hyperscale customers raise the bar, speed doesn’t have to come at the expense of quality or innovation. Through a smart blend of modular engineering, agile management, and global ambition, K2 Strategic is helping redefine what’s possible in data center development. The DCD Editor’s Choice Award may celebrate a single project – but it’s also a signal of where the future is headed.

To watch the full interview and learn more from K2 Strategic, click here.