The Spine, Liverpool
The Building
Located in the heart of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter Innovation District, The Spine is a landmark office building that has achieved the prestigious Platinum level in the WELL Core Certification. This certification, awarded by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), recognises buildings that prioritise health and well-being. Opened in May 2021, The Spine earned this accolade by excelling in ten categories of building performance, including Air, Water, Light, and Community.
The development of The Spine was guided by sustainability consultants, aligning with Liverpool’s ambition to become a leader in science, health, and technology. The building’s innovative design and construction aim to enhance the health of its occupants. As one of Liverpool’s tallest buildings, The Spine also offers panoramic views of Snowdonia, the Lake District, and the Pennines, symbolising the city’s forward-looking vision.
The Glass
The UK specification team collaborated closely with architects, the main contractor, and a specialist façade installer to bring The Spine to life. This ambitious project came with its set of challenges, primarily the need to design the building to appear as neutral as possible while maximising natural light transmission. Given that The Spine is essentially a glass box, the main façade needed to achieve a G value of 0.18, effectively preventing 82% of solar heat gain from penetrating the glazing. Additionally, the architect desired a unique ceramic digital print on the glazing to replicate the complex DNA pattern of a spine.
To address these requirements, the UK specification team engineered one of the most unique glass specifications. Utilising the Calumen® tool, the team modelled the effect of the ceramic frit on the glass surface. They combined this with the triple silver neutral solar control COOL-LITE® XTREME 50/22 II. Unlike the standard double silver range, the triple silver coating allowed for higher light transmission while achieving the necessary G value selectivity. This ensured the façade maintained a neutral appearance while meeting the low G value target.
The outer pane of the glass features a heat-strengthened safe breakage laminate, incorporating the ceramic print and high-performance coatings. This combination effectively reduces solar heat gain while maximising the visual impact of the frit.
The Spine stands as a testament to innovative design and engineering, showcasing the capabilities of Saint-Gobain Glass. This project, located in the up-and-coming Paddington Village site, sits adjacent to other notable buildings that also feature Saint-Gobain design solutions in their façade glazing.
Other case studies you might like
Glass Forever – Sternfenster: Transforming Waste Recycling
Based in Lincoln, Sternfenster is a family-owned company specialising in the manufacture and installation of PVCu and aluminium doors, windows, and conservatories. Sustainability lies at the heart of operations for Sternfenster, evident through initiatives such as a fully electric vehicle fleet for the sales team and the installation of solar panels at their cutting-edge 110,000-square-foot factory. These panels contribute to 30% of the factory’s electricity usage, positively contributing to the company’s carbon emissions targets.
Glass Forever – Erith: Enabling Sustainable Services
With over 50 years of providing sustainable enabling services, Erith stands as a prominent contractor specialising in turnkey solutions for clients across the UK. The alignment of Erith’s five-year strategic plan and daily activities with the UN Sustainable Development Goals underpins their commitment to innovation and positive interventions to achieve sustainable development
Carnegie Teaching and Research Building, Leeds Met University
The Carnegie Teaching and Research Building (CTAR), a £45 million state-of-the-art facility, serves as the flagship home for the Carnegie School of Sport, blending modernity with the historic charm of its surroundings. Its enhanced public realm offers a vibrant and flexible environment for students and athletes alike.