Building the future: Milan Vujasinovic on leading GHD’s data centre evolution

One of the most striking shifts Milan has witnessed since his first encounter with the industry is the sheer scale of data centres today.

“That first project had a power density of two kilowatts per rack. Now we’re designing for 150 kilowatts per rack and contemplating a future where hundreds of kilowatts per rack is normal. We used to call a data centre something that has 20 racks, whereas today they have thousands of racks,” he explains. “What used to be a $2 million project, is now a $2 billion project.”

There are now more than 250 data centres across Australia – a figure that’s expected to continue to rise as digital demands grow.

“As a society we are driving the growth in data centres because we want to be able to do banking online, book a holiday and make video calls. All these things that we do in our daily lives require the kind of growth we are seeing, which requires more facilities and larger facilities to accommodate the everyday activities we have grown accustomed to,” Milan says.

This exponential growth has brought with it new challenges, particularly around infrastructure, community impact and sustainability.

The complexity of data centres continues to grow too. “Increasing from two kilowatts to 100s of kilowatts per rack means there’s so much more power and potentially water that needs to be connected to these sites to keep them operating.” Milan explains. 

Milan’s path to leading GHD’s national data centre strategy was a journey shaped by curiosity, collaboration and a deepening understanding of complex systems. But his leadership is part of a much larger story. Across Australia and the APAC region, Milan is quick to call out how GHD’s data centre capability has grown through the contributions of a diverse and talented team.

Ahmed Emara, Senior Mechanical Engineer, has played a pivotal role in shaping mechanical systems that cool facilities and manage heat. With his deep technical knowledge, he has driven successful outcomes across multiple projects.

“Ahmed has been key to a number of projects and clients,” Milan notes, “especially in navigating the options and drivers that influence mechanical design.”

Architectural excellence has also been central to GHD’s success. Tonja Schimmelpfennig, Studio Director in New Zealand, and Allan Down, Architectural Project Leader, have both consistently delivered designs that are not just visually compelling but also technically sound, finding solutions that balance form and function.

“These buildings are complex,” Milan explains. “You need architects who understand the technical aspects of what they’re designing, and Tonja and Allan have been outstanding in achieving both architectural and technical outcomes.”

This collective journey reflects GHD’s strength – the ability to bring together experts across disciplines to deliver integrated, client-focused solutions. Milan’s leadership is grounded in this collaborative spirit and it’s what continues to drive evolution in the data centre space. 

As data centres continue to scale in size, complexity and strategic importance, GHD is uniquely positioned to deliver integrated solutions across every discipline. From mechanical and electrical systems and architectural design to security and sustainability, Milan credits much of the success in the data centre space to cross-disciplinary collaboration to create facilities that are not only technically robust but also future-ready.

"We've now done quite a few studies where we look at all the different options and outcomes," he says. "Depending on how a project's mechanical system lands, that then drives structure, architecture and everything else to make it possible."

This holistic delivery model streamlines project management while promoting accountability, with the team helping clients to navigate the evolving landscape with confidence and clarity.

"Cross collaboration of our disciplines allows us to develop economic and environmentally sustainable solutions for clients that meet their needs throughout the entirety of a project,” Milan adds.

Contrary to popular belief, Milan argues that data centres are among the most energy-efficient facilities in operation.

“Data centres are underwriting renewable energy projects across the globe,” he says. “These organisations genuinely want the most efficient systems to operate their facilities."

GHD is playing a critical role in this transformation, advising clients on energy and water efficiency and designing systems that push the boundaries of sustainable engineering.

“With solutions like aggregating our computing power into big, shared data centres, we are achieving the same outcomes while using less energy, space and resources,” Milan says.

In a recent op-ed written for national think tank CEDA, Milan highlighted that while securing reliable electricity remains a critical constraint for data centres, an equally pressing but less visible challenge lies in supporting sustainable access to water. Water is a vital component for cooling operations and in places like Melbourne, data centres already consume up to 50 litres per second, with more facilities in the pipeline likely to push demand to 3,000 litres per second.

“Whilst the numbers are big, the important measure is the efficiency of the resources used,” Milan points out.

It underscores the urgent need for planning around water sourcing and sustainability, a challenge that our team are facing head on.

For Milan, GHD’s employee-owned model is more than a business structure, it’s a cultural cornerstone and one of the reasons he’s proud to be a part of the team.

“That owner mindset clicks-in and you care more,” he says. “It comes through in how you talk to clients, your team and how you deliver projects.

Looking back, Milan is most proud of his part in supporting the growth of the South Australia building services team, from five to over thirty people now based in the region, expanding capabilities, and mentoring future leaders.

"We’ve evolved into a highly capable team, building the specialist knowledge and confidence to manage projects independently, not just in South Australia, but across other regions as well."

Milan is also proud of staying true to his values – no matter what work, or life, has thrown his way. “We all have a personal brand and that brand has to be true whether things are good or bad."

He’s equally passionate about integrity. “Operating with honesty and integrity is always going to lead to the right outcome,” Milan says. “Even if it leads to uncomfortable places, it’s the right way to do things."

With strategy sessions on the horizon and global opportunities in sight, Milan’s journey is far from over. “We want to be able to service our clients wherever they are, in whatever they do,” he says.

And if the past few years are any indication, the future of data centres is only just beginning.