Liverpool building rated among healthiest in the world

The Spine had been rated one of the healthiest buildings in the world

The Spine, based in Paddington Village – in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool Innovation District (KQ Liverpool) – has achieved the rare distinction of earning Platinum level in the Well Core Certification.

The Grade A office building, which was opened by Liverpool City Council in May 2021 and is home to the Royal College of Physicians’ northern headquarters, has received the rating from the International Well Building Institute (IWBI).

The Well Building Standard is the premier building standard to focus on enhancing people’s health and well-being through the buildings where we live, work and play.

The Spine has earned the rating based on ten categories of building performance — Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind and Community. 

Boasting more than 206,000 sq ft, The Spine is the third biggest building – and one of just 12 – in the UK to achieve the Platinum level certification.

CBRE ESG department guided the Council team through the Well Core Certification process, ensuring the delivery of a Platinum level strategy.

The visually striking building was designed by architects AHR and built by Morgan Sindall with a brief to reflect Liverpool’s ambition to be a world leader in science, health and technology.

It was also designed and is operated with the aim of making people feel healthier when they walk out of the building compared to when they walk in.

The Spine is also Liverpool’s highest building, standing 14 storeys at the top of Brownlow Hill, offering views across to Snowdonia, the Lake District and the Pennines.

Created through seven years of rigorous research and development working with leading physicians, scientists, and industry professionals, Well is a performance-based certification system that marries best practices in design and construction with evidence-based scientific research.

IWBI is the leading authority for transforming health and well-being with its people-first approach to buildings, organisations and communities.

Leader of Liverpool City Council, Cllr Liam Robinson, said: “The Spine was designed to be one of the world’s healthiest workspaces for mental health and physical wellbeing in the UK. It is a shining symbol of a new Liverpool – where our focus in development will be about people every bit as much as quality of place.”

“The Spine also reflects our ambition on being a world leader in academic research in science and health and the quality of its design speaks of that confidence to achieve that position.”

“I’m delighted The Spine has achieved this Platinum level certification. It is a magnificent achievement for all those who helped the Council design and build it to receive such prestigious industry recognition. I applaud everyone for giving the city such a magnificent building for people to work in, enjoy and be inspired by.”

For more information on The Spire visit their website.

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