AHR chosen as RCP architect in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter
Contractor Morgan Sindall has appointed architect AHR to design the Northern Centre of Excellence for the Royal College of Physicians in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter.
The £35m scheme for Liverpool City Council is the anchor of the Paddington Village project. The RCP will occupy half of the 140,000 sq ft building.
Barry Roberts, Morgan Sindall area director in the North West, said: “AHR’s design will deliver an iconic building, inspired by wellbeing. The RCP headquarters will sit at the heart of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter, and will provide an outstanding environment where academia and research will play a key role in driving forward business and innovation.”
AHR director Dominic Manfredi said: “We look forward to working with the RCP to create a landmark building that can help to deliver their future vision for the college. Our design aims to capture the people-focused vision of the RCP, incorporating features that directly relate to positive wellbeing and health.”
The RCP is currently occupying two floors at the University of Liverpool-owned William Henry Duncan Building. The regional office has already moved in, and over the coming months space will be fitted out for uses including exams and meetings, ahead of the new building being completed.
Morgan Sindall was earlier this year appointed by the council to deliver two projects on the central plot within the local authority’s Paddington Village scheme, a planned £1bn extension to the Knowledge Quarter.
The work was procured through the North West Construction Hub framework and is part of the local authority’s vision to build on Liverpool’s life science sector.
Plans for Paddington Village will see the 30-acre site developed into three plots; Paddington North, Paddington Central and Paddington South.
The first phase of work, worth around £12m, is due to start on site this summer and involves the installation of infrastructure, creation of public realm across the predominantly brownfield site and the creation of development plots to make them market-ready. Pre-construction has already started, with the building due to handover in late 2019.
Morgan Sindall’s Liverpool office has now moved into Innovation Centre 3 at the nearby Liverpool Science Park.