As new images of the proposed HEMISPHERE ‘net zero’ office building in Liverpool are released it’s revealed the cost of the scheme has now risen to £56m. Tony McDonough reports
New images of HEMISPHERE, a ‘net zero’ office building planned for Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter (KQ Liverpool) have been released.
Located in Paddington Village on the former site Archbishop Blanch School, HEMISPHERE will comprise just under 120,000 sq ft of space across eight storeys. It will be adjacent to The Spine office building that opened in May 2021.
It is the first new-build project for Sciontec, a company jointly owned by Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Liverpool, Liverpool City Council, and Bruntwood SciTech. Sciontec is also the owner of Liverpool Science Park.
On Wednesday Sciontec unveiled its latest vision for the scheme at the MIPIM international property expo in Cannes. They also revealed the headline cost of the project had risen to £56m from the original £35m.
Despite being one of the owners of Sciontec, Liverpool City Council will not be footing the bill for the development.
It is likely some backing will come from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority along with commercial funding. The CA has already invested £12m into the overall Paddington Village project.
Sciontec has put net zero carbon at the top of the agenda for HEMISPHERE. The city council has already granted planning consent with work due to begin by the end of this year. Projected completion date is late 2025.
Smart-tech enabled, the building will achieve multiple standards for “operational net zero’. These include Platinum WELL, BREEAM Excellent, EPC Rated A, WiredScore certified and NABERS 5.5.
Colin Sinclair, chief executive of Sciontec and KQ Liverpool, said: “We’re proud to be working with Liverpool City Council, with the support of the city region, to deliver a holistic approach to creating Paddington Village.
“HEMISPHERE promises to change the future of work. Operational net zero carbon – designed for people who truly care about the environment, for businesses and agencies who are driven by innovation, inclusivity and wellbeing.
“We are excited to be out at MIPIM as part of the Liverpool city region delegation showcasing the stunning new visuals for HEMISPHERE, a unique and well connected business location at the heart of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter.”
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Sciontec also says it will provide free sustainability guidance to all of its occupiers to help them meet their own targets for operational energy use, as part of a green leasing strategy.
HEMISPHERE has been designed by AHR Architects. Its head of sustainability Rob Hopkins said it will embody 30% less carbon than a typical office building, 30% less energy consumption, 40% less glazing and 20% more natural ventilation.
City region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “Developments such as this are befitting of a modern, forward-looking city region like ours.
“Sciontec’s plans for HEMISPHERE encapsulate much of my vision for the region – harnessing the expertise of our world-class universities in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter, attracting nationwide jobs and housing it all in one of the cleanest, greenest buildings in our region.”