The Spine, one of Liverpool’s newest buildings, has been named one of the world’s healthiest.
Based in Paddington Village, in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool Innovation District (KQ Liverpool), has achieved the rare distinction of earning the Platinum level in the WELL Core Certification.
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) awarded the rating to the Grade A office building, which Liverpool City Council inaugurated in May 2021 and serves as the northern headquarters of the Royal College of Physicians.
The WELL Building Standard is the leading building standard that focuses on improving people’s health and well-being through the buildings we live, work, and play in.
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 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.
Ann Marie Aguilar, Senior Vice President, EMEA, International WELL Building Institute, said:
“We congratulate Liverpool City Council for achieving WELL Core Certification at the Platinum level for The Spine.
“The Council has demonstrated outstanding leadership by prioritising the physical and mental health and well-being of all people who use the building, and for helping to advance the healthy buildings movement in Liverpool and throughout the UK.”
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