Grand designs unveiled for iHUB

Daventry District Council’s bid to bring an iconic “green” building to town is a step closer.

Five architects have been shortlisted from more than 70 entries received to the competition to design the IHUB building, a joint initiative between Daventry District Council, the University of Northampton, West Northamptonshire Development Corporation and the East Midlands Development Agency (emda).

The £8 million iHUB will be a high-quality information centre and office building, showcasing sustainable building and energy-efficient technologies.

The winning architects will be announced in Daventry in June following the second round of the competition process.

Ian Vincent, Executive Director at Daventry District Council, said: “The iHUB will be a landmark building, not just in terms of the way it looks but also in terms of energy efficiency and innovative design.

“Sustainable building methods will be showcased in its construction and it will include a conference room for up to 200 people, exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, reception and networking space and supporting facilities.

“This is a very exciting time and we are looking forward to the winning design being revealed.”

Supported by the Building Research Establishment and the Royal Institute of British Architects, the two-stage design competition is part of a region wide initiative by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) to stimulate innovation in key business sectors. The iHUB will form the operational headquarters for the East Midlands sustainable construction innovation network (iNet). This will in turn strengthen the construction sector through promoting and enabling innovative technologies and practices.

The final five shortlisted architects are:

§         David Grindley Architects

§         The Space Studio

§         CONSARC

§         Building Design Partnership

§         KMK Architects.

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 the potential site in the town for the iHUB building.