Join CCBP for our first Future Focus event in one of the healthiest buildings in the UK

This will be a thought-provoking and insightful event for construction and built environment professionals, managing directors and partners, business development managers, and companies interested in networking and learning about public sector developments in the North West.

Bringing together local authorities, this CCBP conference is providing attendees with the opportunity to learn about key projects occurring across the Liverpool City Region.

The Spine, in Liverpool’s Paddington Village, is the ideal location for our first Future Focus event. Its unique features and sustainability credentials align perfectly with the event themes of innovation, sustainability and best practice.

 

Experience the architectural brilliance of The Spine for yourself, while hearing from local authorities about upcoming developments in the Liverpool City Region. With influential speakers from across the region, this promises to be an event not to be missed.

Guarantee your place by purchasing tickets today, or register for a CCBP membership for a 30% discount and other membership benefits. All details and links can be found on the CCBP website.

 

The story behind The Spine: one of the healthiest buildings in the UK

 

The design concept of The Spine is based on the human body:

• Its name is taken from the striking geometric staircase on the north elevation that resembles human vertebrae.
• There are 23 million polygon shapes printed on the outside of the building that form a Voronoi pattern (one that divides space into cells). Incredibly, each of these shapes is unique, so that the pattern represents the microscopic derma layer of the human skin.
• ‘The Steps’ on the ground floor is tiered seating, arranged across multiple levels, which brings people together for lectures and informal presentations. Supporting The Steps are large concrete columns with a distinct embossed pattern, which represents a microscopic version of the trabeculae (thin columns and plates) of human bone.
• There are interconnecting floors with double height spaces, which represent the lungs of the building.

 

Occupant wellbeing

The architects widely researched ways in which the design of the building could enhance the wellbeing of occupants.

One study they found was conducted by NASA in the 1980’s. It researched which plants would produce more oxygen and improve the air quality for astronauts on the space station. This research helped the architects to determine which high oxygen-producing plants to incorporate in The Spine’s double-storey sky gardens.

The architects also learned that in Japan, doctors often prescribe forest bathing as a way to improve mental wellbeing in a natural way, known as ‘shinrin yoku’. It’s a concept of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature whilst breathing deeply, which facilitates de-stressing. Adopting this theory, the architects ensured that when the sun shines through the Voronoi pattern in the glass, it mimics the dappled light that would come through the trees in a forest.

 

Sustainability

The Spine has been accredited a WELL Platinum Standard which measures attributes of a building that impact people. The seven concepts behind the accreditation are air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind.

All of the surfaces and furniture within the building have been carefully designed to achieve the WELL Platinum Standard, including the choice of paint, plaster, wood, furniture, fabrics and flooring. These have been carefully selected to ensure they enhance the air quality by removing toxins, avoiding the use of solvents, and using truly sustainable materials.

 

For example:

• The wallpaper in the events space is made out of 95% recycled plastic bottles
• The carpet tiles throughout the venue are made of recycled fishing wire, and can be re-recycled if damaged.
• All of the wood is real. Oak and timber are used throughout, which improve with age.
• There is a copper handrail at The Steps. Copper has antimicrobial and antiviral properties, so it can kill bacteria and viruses upon contact. It therefore doesn’t transfer pathogens to other substances.