10 NEWS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
AHR’s wellness-focused Liverpool scheme is anatomically inspired
AHR’s £35m development The Spine, the new northern base of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), has reached completion, comprising a major addition to the ‘Knowledge Quarter’ known as Paddington Village. A ‘biophilic’ building designed to WELL Platinum, the scheme developed by Liverpool City Council and the RCP prioritises occupant health and wellbeing, is “on track to be one of the healthiest workspaces for mental health and physical wellbeing in the UK,” said the architects. They added: “AHR and RCP’s shared vision in creating a positive and healthy working environment, reducing stress and increasing creativity with the use of biophilia, was key in this innovative design.” AHR’s design was strongly inspired by the human body with the distinctive facade “taking inspiration from human skin.” The Voronoi pattern includes 23 million individual polygons applied in a frit pattern to the glazing of the building. The Spine derives its name from the striking geometric staircase to the north of
the building, “inspired by the human vertebrae and visible from the outside, while the double height atrium represents
the lungs.” The structure’s exposed concrete columns reference the skeleton, moulded to reflect the trabecular system within human bones.
The glazed curtain wall system, incorporating timber, helps to provide a “unique connection to nature for the occupants,” said the architects. In addition, they claim the exposure to natural light reduces blood pressure and stress, “while increasing happiness and significantly, circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep patterns.” As part of adhering to the principles
of the WELL Standard, AHR introduced an “innovative” ventilation system, reportedly circulating higher levels of fresh air than typical commercial systems, with additional filtration to maintain high air quality levels throughout.
Photos © Andrew Smith
As well as office space and dedicated medical research areas, The Spine also includes conference, education, dining and exhibition space. The building is expected to be fully operational by September 2021.
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ADF JULY 2021
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