A table, a chair, a computer and, if you’re lucky, a coffee maker — that was a typical office at the end of the 20th century. But in the 21st century, an office is a place that should care for the health of its employees, adapt to new technologies, and not harm the environment. In Liverpool, a building has been constructed that combines all these requirements — HEMISPHERE One. Did it succeed in uniting the city’s ambitions, architectural trends, and a green approach? Answers to these questions are sought and found by liverpoolname.com — a website for Liverpool residents who are concerned about environmental issues.
In our article, you will learn about:
- what HEMISPHERE One is and why Liverpool needs it;
- what eco-technologies have been implemented in the project;
- who is behind the building’s creation and what is planned for the future.
What is HEMISPHERE One and why is it important
HEMISPHERE One. Is it just another office building? Not at all. It’s a statement about Liverpool’s new role as a city of innovation and green solutions. Its location, technologies, and architecture highlight the region’s ambition to become an example of sustainable development for the whole of the UK.
In the heart of the Liverpool Knowledge Quarter
This building literally grows at the crossroads of knowledge: the Knowledge Quarter is a cluster of universities, medical centres, and scientific startups. It’s here that over £7 billion in investments are concentrated in research, infrastructure, and development. The idea is simple: science shouldn’t be on the outskirts, but in the city centre. And HEMISPHERE One, thanks to its proximity to Liverpool Science Park, hospitals, and universities, reinforces this logic both spatially and conceptually.
The region’s first building with net-zero operational emissions
When it comes to sustainable architecture, the term net zero is no longer new, but HEMISPHERE One has enhanced it somewhat. When a building is said to be “operationally carbon neutral,” it means that its daily functioning (heating, cooling, lighting, ventilation) produces no carbon emissions or fully offsets them. So, it’s not just about “eco-friendly construction,” but also about a lifestyle that cares for the environment. This is an important distinction from many “green” buildings that focus only on materials and the construction phase.
HEMISPHERE One will consume just 55 kWh/m² per year, which is significantly lower than average office buildings. Its design incorporates 30% less carbon compared to typical new constructions, as well as reduced glazing (−40%) and more natural ventilation (+20%). These solutions not only lower energy bills but also reduce reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning systems, making the building “lighter” for the climate. Within Liverpool, this is the first project of its kind, setting a new standard for the entire region.
Eco-features and technologies: what makes “Hemisphere” so impressive
HEMISPHERE One operates on the principles of sustainable development at all levels: from ventilation systems to workspace planning. No detail is accidental: every technology or material is a response to the demands of our time, climate, and common sense. Green architecture is no longer seen as a move for image alone—rather, it is about efficiency, comfort, and long-term benefit.
Six green certificates
One of the main arguments for its status as a “green flagship” is its six international eco-accreditations. These include:
- Net Zero Operational Carbon. Confirms the building does not produce additional CO₂ emissions during operation.
- BREEAM Excellent. One of Europe’s best-known sustainable building standards, assessing environmental friendliness, resource management, and social impact.
- WELL Platinum. A certificate that focuses on the health and well-being of users (light, air, noise, ergonomics).
- EPC A. The highest energy rating in the UK.
- WiredScore. A guarantee of high-quality digital infrastructure.
- NABERS 5.5*. An Australian energy efficiency rating system that is being increasingly adopted in Europe.
These certificates show that every component of the building — from lifts to the roof — is designed to minimise environmental impact and maximise user comfort. And this is what secures HEMISPHERE One’s position in the popular search query зелене будівництво Ліверпуль.
Biophilic design: when the office is like a garden
The idea of biophilic design is that people feel better when there are natural elements nearby. In HEMISPHERE, this is embodied through internal gardens, spaces with natural lighting, “breathing” facades, and a specially created wellness studio for physical and mental recharge.
The transport infrastructure also plays a significant role: 166 bicycle spaces, electric bike charging points, and shower and changing facilities. This is not just “convenient for cyclists,” it’s an encouragement of sustainable daily habits.
“HEMISPHERE is designed to support well-being and sustainability: biophilic design, internal gardens, a wellness studio, 166 bicycle spaces and electric bike charging points,” writes Sciontec, 2024.
All of this creates a workspace where you want to stay as long as possible. Not to “just get through until six,” but to stay longer because the air is fresh and your body and mind don’t get as tired as they would in a regular office.
Laboratories of the future
HEMISPHERE One is a place for advanced research. It provides flexible spaces for laboratories in chemistry, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and robotics. The premises can be adapted for specific projects: today it’s a wet lab, and tomorrow it’s a robot testing centre.
This approach is important for startups and research teams that need an environment that can transform with their tasks. This flexibility is key to Liverpool retaining innovative businesses in the city. In this context, “Hemisphere” is a tool for future scientific breakthroughs, not just a pretty box. Thus, we can confidently say that innovation in Liverpool has a new address.
Who is behind the project and what’s next
HEMISPHERE One is backed by developer Sciontec, a company that is working to shape a new architectural culture in the Liverpool Knowledge Quarter. Its priority is to create infrastructure for scientific businesses where, in addition to square footage, the quality of interaction between research, technology, and people is important. The architectural firm AHR developed the building’s design with principles of sustainability, comfort, and adaptability in mind. The city council, the University of Liverpool, medical institutions, and several private partners were involved in the implementation. Together, they aim to prove that science, entrepreneurship, and eco-consciousness are not parallel vectors, but a perfectly compatible formula for the city’s development.
The idea of HEMISPHERE is not limited to just this one building. HEMISPHERE Two is already in development—the next phase, which is designed to expand the quarter’s innovative ecosystem. It will provide even more laboratories for projects in biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy. The special feature is that the premises can be easily reconfigured for specific scientific or business tasks—from so-called “wet” labs to offices for startups working with data or medical devices. This is a logical continuation of the idea of transforming the Liverpool Knowledge Quarter into a platform where solutions to the problems of the future are generated.
By the way, if you were googling hemisphere cake ideas or Hemisphere Freight, this article didn’t tell you about that, for reasons of its own. There were no recipes or logistics here. Instead, we talked about architecture, ecology, and progressive developments that affect our daily lives. But who knows — maybe cake ideas will appear in the next building if there’s a confectionery startup there. But for now, we can say that our city has a connection to eco-developments that is just as strong as the one between Liverpool and classical music.
