The distinctive timber frame of Daventry’s award-winning iCon has been completed, as the local landmark starts to take shape. The roof of the building, which is being constructed off Eastern Way, will be completed this autumn and the centre will be officially opened in summer 2011.

The £8.5 million facility will be a national centre of excellence for sustainable construction, providing accommodation, support and advice for up to 60 businesses in the emerging market of sustainable construction and green technologies. It will also feature a conference hall for up to 300 people, a public piazza, and a café/restaurant.

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 has been constructed with timber because it uses five times less energy to produce than concrete and six times less than steel. The timber, which is Scandinavian Whitewood, has been sourced from a sustainable forest.

Peter Mawson, Chief Executive at West Northamptonshire Development Corporation, which is project managing and part-funding the scheme said: “The iCon is becoming a building that really lives up to its name. Not only is it a leading example of energy efficiency, it has a striking and distinctive design that uses timber on an impressive scale. Most importantly, it will eventually be home to some very inventive and important businesses, helping to push the boundaries for how buildings are constructed and operated in an environmentally friendly way.”

Councillor Chris Over, Economic, Regeneration and Employment Portfolio Holder for Daventry District Council, endorsed the view of Peter Mawson. He said: “This is a significant step forward for Daventry in delivering green technologies, much needed businesses and employment, and it will further boost the district’s reputation for environmental excellence.”

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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