The iCon Building (Sustainable Construction iHub)
Visit www.icon-em.org
The 'Gateway' site next to Eastern Way in Daventry is known
as number '4A' and became available following the
reduction of a roundabout, which was funded and managed by
WNDC.
Europe’s top architects were challenged to create an
iconic building that embodies the environmental credentials of
the Sustainable Construction Innovation Network (iNet) in a
design competition. An iNet is a business-led innovation network
that provides support to help businesses and individuals in each of
the region’s key sectors to become more innovative. As well as the
Sustainable Construction iNet, there are 3 other operations in the
region which support the Transport, Food and Drink and Healthcare
and Bioscience sectors. East Midlands Development Agency
(emda) have created the iNets
- click here for
further information.
Image: Artists Impression of iCon
The iCon building, otherwise known as the Sustainable
Construction Innovation Hub (iHub), will be the home of this
particular iNet operation. The building has been designed and
will be constructed to achieve a BREEAM 'excellent'
rating. BREEAM is the assessment of the environmental
performance of a building throughout construction and
operation.
London based architect practice, Consarc, were announced as the
winners of the design competition in June 2008, following
initial submissions from seventy others. Consarc’s vision has
now progressed from an innovative concept into its planning phase.
WNDC recieved the planning application in February 2009 and should
planning permission be granted at the April Daventry Area Planning Committee,
construction of the £6 million building will begin mid
2009.
The applicant and owner of the iCon bulding is ICON
EM, a Charitable Trust established by the iNet consortium.
David Walker, CEO of the East Midlands Centre for Constructing the
Built Environment will Chair ICON EM, and the trustees include
WNDC, The University of Northampton and Daventry District Council,
with an observer role for emda.
The iCon building is being funded by three bodies and WNDC is
delivering the project. Over £3.7 million has been granted by
the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), emda
has injected over £2.7 million and over £2.6 million has been
invested by WNDC. The land has been donated by Daventry District
Council and Northamptonshire County Council.
ICON EM hosted a consultation at the Saxon Suite at
Daventry Leisure Centre on Thursday, 22 January at which
approximately 100 people attended. Click
here to read more information about ICON EM's
consultation.
Photo caption: Model of the iHub with members of the public
listening to ICON EM's presentation on the design.
iCon will contain 60 incubation units, or small
offices, that will be utilised by researchers and businesses
at the cutting edge of the sustainable construction and green
technologies. As an innovation centre, it will offer the
support businesses need to get off the ground, and give them a
place to work in and share ideas.
Other features include a conference room for 300 people,
exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, additional networking space and a
restaurant/cafe. Members of the community and other local
businesses will also be able to hire the conference, exhibition and
meeting room facilities. Interest from community groups indicate
the large conference room could be used for music and arts
performances.
The building will be a leading example of an
energy-efficiency and sustainability in its own right. It
will be operational at the end of 2010 and will act as a gateway
building to Daventry town centre whilst also providing new
opportunities for employment, education and partnership working
within West Northamptonshire.
The Sustainable Construction iNet is currently based at the
University of Northampton comprising of a team of dedicated
innovation advisors. Their job is to work closely with
businesses in the construction sector to help them adopt new
techniques and technologies required to meet future targets for low
carbon buildings.
In addition, the iNet will be able to draw on the support and
resources of a 15 strong consortium comprising universities,
professional bodies and research associations. Together, these
organisations will provide an invaluable and unique combination of
resources, knowledge and assistance to businesses involved in
sustainable construction.
For further information on how to be a future tenant of an
innovation unit or to be a user of iCon's other facilities
contact Andrea Wingrove on 01604 892327 or andrea.wingrove@construction-inet.org.uk
Image: Artists Impression of iCon at night
