International competition to find design for new ICoN building

A competition to come up with an innovative design concept for the ICoN project in Daventry has attracted interest from scores of companies.

Europe’s top architects are being challenged to create a building that embodies the environmental credentials of the ICoN, which will see a sustainable construction centre for excellence (known as an i-Hub) established in the town, backed by five of the region’s universities.

The iconic building, which it is hoped will be up and running by the end of 2009, will feature a conference room for 200 people, exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, reception and networking space and supporting facilities. It is also set to be held up as an example of energy-efficiency and sustainable building in its own right.

ICoN is part of a wider project initiated by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda), to create a series of Innovation Networks (iNets). These are designed to share good practice and, in particular, to stimulate innovation in order to deliver economic development across the East Midlands region. Planned iNets include healthcare and bioscience, transport equipment, food and drink, and sustainable construction.

Each iNet aims to improve productivity and business development in line with the Innovation Strategy and Action plan for the region which has been produced by East Midlands Innovation.

The University of Northampton won the contract from emda to lead a wide-ranging consortium of universities, professional bodies and research associations delivering the sustainable construction activity. Working together with Daventry District Council, they identified a potential site in the town for the ICoN building.

The design competition is being run by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). It is backed by Daventry District Council and West Northamptonshire Development Corporation, which helped draw up the specification of the landmark building, to be built on the 4G site, just north of Eastern Way.

The deadline for submission of initial entries is mid-March and already over 130 companies have registered to express their interest in taking part.

Kevin Scobell, Commercial Director of BRE, said: “In the first instance, the design competition is inviting concepts and sketches from registered architects. It is very much about ideas that are in keeping with the aims of the ICoN project.

“The entries will then be shortlisted and some more work done by entrants before a final design is chosen to take us forward.

“We expect the final result to be a landmark building that is a hub for activity in the industry and an example of innovative and sustainable building methods.”

Dr Frank Burdett, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Business Development, at The University of Northampton, said: “There is a Government initiative that all new buildings should be carbon efficient and, by 2012, carbon neutral. Currently, for every four houses built, effectively one is ‘thrown away’ due to the waste excess in the building industry.

“One of The University of Northampton’s strongest expertise areas is in wastes management and through leading ICoN, we aim to help relevant stakeholders understand how to develop new sustainable construction products through our research and knowledge transfer.”

Entrants to the competition will be judged on innovation, visual impression, meeting the requirements of the brief, and demonstration of sustainability and energy efficiency.