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THE SPINE, LIVERPOOL
The briefing process was unusual for AHR, with the client scrutinising the design at each stage, and asking the architects what research they were using to back up the decisions
layer is far from merely decorative. It has a crucial function in moderating internal temperatures, like human skin, there being no other shading present. The level of ceramic applied doesn’t seem to vary greatly across the facades to the naked eye, but it’s been painstakingly designed according to the sunlight levels on each. There’s 15% coverage on the north facade, 25% on the east and west, and 35% on the south. The competition-winning facade design was very different however, being based on “dancing DNA,” says Hopkins. The architects were encouraged “very politely” by Jane Dacre, then president of the college, to change the approach to something more relevant to physicians, although still referencing the human body. The AHR architect who created the complex Voronoi pattern (using Grasshopper software) had originally studied mathematics, so “this was his moment,” says Hopkins, following in the footsteps of the celebrated Russian mathematician Vorony.
The designers then presented 1500 different patterns to glazing manufacturer Saint-Gobain, after each had been individually double-checked by the architects. The manufacturer was happy to create a different liquid ceramic pattern for each panel, due to its advanced processes. The result is highly successful for users internally – as well as keeping spaces cool, “there are incredible shadows coming through the pattern,” says Hopkins, which ties into the Japanese concept of ‘forest bathing’ which can reduce stress, benefit heart rate, and improve creativity. The architects printed 1:1 paper examples of the panels on “huge rolls of paper” which Hopkins brought to the client in London; these were unrolled in the central void space to see how the patterns looked in the flesh. He then had to present to a panel, who decided to take the plunge.
Programme As well as flexible, high-tech conference and events spaces, and several floors of teaching facilities, the building provides fine dining accommodation, and a cafe. The teaching function includes practical examination rooms in the form of ‘simulations’ of hospital wards for training medical staff. Says Hopkins, “We’d started off speculating what the range of functions might be, and that got refined over the course of six months.”
Some of the departments in the college have moved in their entirety to the new Liverpool site (RCP taking the top four
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floors), such as the practical and written MRCP exams, whereas others are split between the two sites. The architects reviewed research on learning metrics, and found that exams done in a naturally lit space were associated with a 7%-9% increase in performance, and with a view that increases to 12%-13%. As a result the new exam facilities were naturally lit; not possible in RCP’s London predecessor. The conference facilities are also a vast improvement, connected by audio visual networks and offering the facility to network across the London and Liverpool buildings.
The building is 15 metres from the core to the glazing, and the 3 metre floor to floor heights are slightly higher than a “traditional” commercial building, although natural ventilation wasn’t possible. As Hopkins says, offering good space with commensurate natural light not only helps the users feel better, it also contributes to the achievement of WELL credits. All of the permanent workspaces are within 7.5 metres of the perimeter, providing a view, meaning there was “no requirement to put in systems that simulated your Circadian rhythms,” says the architect. There are three staircases, their attractive helical oak forms encouraging users to walk up from the ground floor to the connecting double- height spaces above. The lifts cores have been pushed to the north facade.
Conclusion
This was a demanding project for AHR, not least due to the unusually engaged, inquiring nature of the client. The result of all the hard work is a building which succeeds on all fronts for the Royal College. Also, the long-running wellness research project which constituted the briefing phase was worth the time invested for the practice, says Robert Hopkins, as it allowed AHR to “build up such a body of evidence.” He adds: “We’ll never again do so many things focused on wellness and health in a workplace, but there will always be some of those elements in every project we do.” With many of the students at the college likely to work in healthcare facilities worldwide, the architects hope they will share their experience of how the building itself helps deliver health, and apply the learnings in their own contexts. AHR is currently designing the centrepiece of the Paddington Quarter – a mixed use scheme called Hemisphere – raising the bar again from WELL Platinum to net zero carbon. g
ADF AUGUST 2022
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