An environmental iCon ‘tops out’ in Daventry
The award winning iCon in Daventry has officially ‘topped out’ with all three of its eco-friendly roofs now completed.
The £8.5 million building will be a national centre of excellence for the sustainable construction and green technologies industries. The state-of-the-art scheme will provide accommodation, support and advice for up to 60 new and inventive businesses in the sector.
The iCon will be a beacon of energy efficiency in its own right, using renewable energy and incorporating innovative features that reduce the need for heating and air conditioning. It will feature a conference hall for up to 300 people, an exhibition space, a public piazza, and a café/restaurant. It will also be the home to the East Midlands’ Sustainable Construction Innovation Network (iNet), which has been established to support construction businesses in the region. A different style of roof covers the incubation units, central atrium, and conference centre, all of which contribute to the building’s green credentials.
The central atrium will have its own ‘micro climate’, acting as a heat store in winter and providing ventilation in summer. Its roof is made of an inflatable plastic ‘ETFE’ membrane, a high performance material which has been used on acclaimed developments including the Eden project and Beijing watercube. The conference centre has a green roof, while the roof above the incubation units features a series of chimneys that support the building’s natural ventilation system. Construction started on the iCon in Summer 2009 and work is expected to be completed in Spring 2011.
WNDC’s Chief Executive, Peter Mawson said: “Not so long ago the iCon was just a bold and exciting idea. Thanks to hard work and dedication it has quickly become a reality and will be opening its doors for business in 2011. Over coming years, we hope it will become a home to some of the country’s greenest and most progressive businesses”
Councillor Chris Over, Economic, Employment and Regeneration Portfolio Holder at Daventry District Council, said: “The iCon is really taking shape now as a building of environmental excellence and will be a welcome boost for business and employment in the district.”
Dr Frank Burdett, Pro Vice Chancellor (Research and Business Development), The University of Northampton, commented: “The University of Northampton has sustainability, innovation and enterprise at the heart of its mission and the iCon building is the physical embodiment of all of these. The University has been at the heart of iCon from day one and has run its sister, the regional iNet service, for two years now. In total, this represents a £17 million regional initiative on sustainability.
“The iNet has already helped over a thousand companies to develop innovations to save energy, water and waste and the University has been shortlisted for a national award on sustainability in recognition of its role in the iCon project. We look forward to offering the people of Daventry and the surrounding areas access to the iNet and other University services in this exciting building.”
The iCon has already been the recipient of two design awards, collecting a Green Apple Award for Architecture and the Built Environment in June 2010, as well as a Milton Keynes South Midlands Excellence Award in December 2010. Funding for the project has been obtained from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC). Daventry District Council and Northamptonshire County Council have donated the land for the project.
An organisation known as iCon East Midlands has been set up to manage the day to day running of iCon once it is operational. The organisation includes representatives of the key funders as well as The University of Northampton.
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Categories: Daventry