The ceramic frit facade, complete with 23 million unique voronoi polygons that mimic human skin, wraps the building and reacts to the local environment, reducing glare and noise.

Affectionately named after the striking staircase that runs up the north elevation of the building, The Spine’s lower and upper floors will be occupied by the prestigious Royal College of Physicians, who are opening their new Northern Centre of Excellence in summer 2020, with the remainder of the building available to pre-let to other health, science and education-focused occupiers.

Designing a new building is no easy task. It not only needs to be innovative, iconic and inviting but it also needs to be complementary to its occupiers and environment. That’s why, when it comes to The Spine, we won’t settle for anything less than world-class.As you enter the building there will be a shared public area, complete with a warm welcome, living wall, café and an informal tiered events space, perfect for seminars and presentations.To connect the foyer to the dedicated exhibition space at mezzanine level, there will be access through the tiered event space.

The building will also benefit from bike storage, showers, a drying room and undercroft parking.Each of the floors, which are all c. 11,560 sq ft, will have extra high ceilings, advanced air purification, district heating systems and floor-to-ceiling glazing, providing some of the best views of the city centre and waterfront.

Although the top four floors will be home to the RCP, there will be an internal sky garden, complete with high-oxygen producing plants and spaces suitable for fine dining and events, which will be available for private hire.