It is recognized as one the healthiest buildings in the world integrating design philosophies to encourage health and wellbeing for the people.

It has received WELL Platinum accreditations for both its base structure and interior design demonstrating its dedication to fostering a healthy atmosphere.

• Design Concept

The concept and philosophy of The Spine is derived from the narrative of the human body and how that is represented in areas like biophilia and architecture.

The focus of the biophilic approach is creating a strong connection to nature within the built environment.

The facade of The Spine takes after the unique Voronoi pattern, which was inspired by the human skin, resulting in a frit pattern, which creates internal shadows reminiscent of a forest canopy.

This pattern compliments the building's overarching idea of using natural materials in its architecture.

In the interior of the building, there is a series of double-height sky gardens mimicking the appearance of 'lungs' and acting as the 'Vertical Village'. Incorporating a wide range of plants and trees increases oxygen levels in the place reiterating the building's biophilic designs.

Furthermore, the use of helical stairs encourages more people to use the stairs promoting a healthier lifestyle. Designers used the exposed concrete columns to model after the trabecular system (the strongest bone) found in the human body.

• Layout and Circulation

The office space consists of different zones that differentiate between tasks which can be integrated with others.

The space caters to individual needs by including quiet and loud areas as well as formal and informal ones.

 Moreover, meeting spaces decrease 'static' Woking and nurture a sense of community by stimulating cross-collaboration meanwhile, private work pods and enclosed meeting booths offer enclosed areas for private work and contemplation.

There is a cafe as well as an exhibition area on the ground floor which is used to inform the public on different health issues. Lastly, the dining areas offer the option of eating in more sociable groups for workers creating the foundation for a sense of community and improving mental health.

• Design concept and Atmosphere

The main of focus of WorkLife Meetings is to create various spaces that can be used for different types of meetings and events.

The space is comfortable and inviting for guests to promote collaboration and productivity. Some the rooms include intimate lounges, pitch rooms, large boardrooms, small meeting rooms, and a public assembly space that can accommodate up to a 100 people.

 The focus of the design is on versatility and adaptability to allow guests to find the ideal setting for their requirements.

The space has a sleek appearance which is coupled with modern decor and technology thus creating a professional yet welcoming environment.

• layout and circulation

The design of the building places high importance on user friendliness and effective circulation. Upon entering, guests are welcomed by reception staff aiding in smooth navigation and access to the meeting rooms. There are several layouts of rooms sizes and combinations to accommodate for different group sizes and meeting styles.

Various options cater to various needs and scenarios:

• Theatre style - chairs arranged in a similar manner to that of theatres, ideal for large groups however, not suitable if there is to be any note taking as there isn't enough room to lean/right on

• Cabaret Style - delegates seated at a large, usually round table where the side facing the projector screen is left empty to allow all to see what is being displayed. Ideal for instances where there'd be team building activities, lot of note taking or long sessions however, it does require bigger space

• Boardroom layout - a single large table that is able to house all delegates and is more suited to smaller groups that have lengthy discussions, shape of table usually oval or rectangular ( a U shape might be better for presentations)

• Banquet layout- designed for dining rather than meetings and usually consists of a round table seating that houses up to 8 to 10 people

• U shape layout - delegates seated along two sides of a 'U' shape configuration and is perfect for events with smaller groups

• Classroom style - rows of tables allows delegates ti comfortably view presentations as well as take notes, ideal for event training or note taking.

Found the most common layout to be boardroom layout where delegates are seated around a single large table

The halls provide ample space for different functions to take place varying from weddings, parties to exhibitions and trade shows to birthday and holiday parties.

reception near entrance for easier access

• black

• blue

• white

• grey

• brown

Some of the uses for it include:

• enable productive meetings

• encourage teamwork

• ensure privacy for confidential meetings

• enhance productivity

• offer comfortable settings

• create a professional image which improves first impressions with clients.

• Event Spaces are also important as they provide a controlled environment for the event to take place in and ensure that the coordinator is in control of many of the factors that can affect the space.

Having essential facilities like restrooms and parking allow guests to focus on the event itself and thus enjoy it more. This reiterates the importance of event spaces and the role they play in ensuring the desirable outcome of events.

• wood

• glass

• metal

• fabric

• carpet and rugs

were found to be most popular for their long durability, functionality and aesthetically pleasing appearances.

The Carpet is to be used in the conference space as it dims the sound the footsteps and gives the place an overall warmth.

The marble is to be used in the rest of the space. This will give the rest of the space a polished look. This is especially important in areas like the reception area where guests are first greeted or the event space where flexibility is crucial as it can be used for different functions and gatherings.  

It inspired my professional profile because I am also aiming to start my own brand somewhere in the new future so it is helpful to use as inspiration.

Looking at some of Deniot's work, I find it interesting how he's able to create such simplistic yet unique spaces.

It also has a wide audience reach allowing me to connect with a hundred people at once. People can also engage directly with me through my post by liking, commenting and sharing.

Instagram also provides various opportunities to network and collaborate with different people allowing me to grow my page.

• Reception

• Mini bar/ food area

• Conference and events space

Most common colours for conference spaces include:

• white

• grey

• beige

• blue

• earth tones

Most common colours for event spaces include:

• taupe

• white

• beige

• grey

• pastel colours

• muted jewel tones

And those most popular in mini bars included:

• warm neutrals

• rich earth tones

• dark blues or greys

• deep reds or burgundies

• muted jewel tones

Planting is placed in areas where members of staff are present not only for their visual appearance, but also for their air-purifying qualities and when combined with Salutogenic planting, it improves the cognitive and health performance of people by 10-20%.

Natural light is prioritised with a window being no more than 7.5m away from individual workstation.

There is also a personal dashboard available at each workstation to allow people to control the lighting and temperature in immediate surroundings. These all contribute to reducing the levels of fatigue, boredom and stress.

Sustainability and Innovation

The Spine is the first building to receive BREEAM Outstanding and is among the select few buildings to have fulfilled such strict standards, having been granted WELL Platinum certificates.

This serves as a baseline for future biophilic design since it supports the notion that natural interventions do have an impact on interior environments.

AHR collaborated with Salvedge, CBRE WELL Accredited professionals, and Sustainable Design Consultants to make sure the biophilic improvements were regarded as high-scoring innovations by WELL. This emphasises The Spine's position as a pioneer in health-focused architecture and sustainable design.

Some of things that worked Well with this design:

Building was designed with the focus being on health and wellbeing and that people will feel "healthier when they walk out than when they walk in".

The extensive use of design elements such as sky gardens and natural light creates a nurturing environment

The design concept which was inspired by the human body - the Voronoi pattern Facade

Improved air quality through the use of planting and natural materials

Contributes to a healthier and more sustainable environment

Some of the areas that may have not worked so well include:

Needs high level maintenance - proper upkeep of natural materials like oak may require ongoing attention and resources

Plants will also need to have extensive care so that they do not lose their vitality - they are the cornerstone of the biophilic design

some of the things I can take away from this design include the idea of people feeling healthier than they walked in - creating an area within the same space where they can rewind after meetings in the conference table or designing the mini bar/ food area in way that is relaxing and calming through the use of ambient lighting etc...

- Executive catering: providing high-quality foods and beverages to enhance their meeting experience

-  high speed WIFI: Fast internet to ensure meetings run smoothly and are not troubled by slow connectivity

- on-demand meeting spaces: providing convenience by allowing guests to books rooms by the hour or day

- Technology: Latest technology is present all meeting rooms for flawless presentations and communication.

Although there are efforts to provide a wide range of meeting spaces, it may still prove difficult to maintain high levels of customers satisfaction

Also in a competitive market landscape, attracting and retaining customers will require ongoing innovation and differentiation.

Aspects that I liked from this design include the ready made available rooms that customers are able to book whenever

It also helps that they are able to do so even online and do not have to waste time

Furthermore, being able to house large meetings as well as small ones will attract a higher amount of customers increasing revenue.