21 April 2008
Source: LGN (Local Government News is distributed on a monthly basis and provides the latest independent news and information on building, urban space and groundcare. Having joined the HIS stable of local government publications in 2007, Local Government News is designed to keep professional officers in local government abreast of up-to-date legislative changes and interpretations of central government policy )

A civic heart for Corby


Alison Greeves

A landmark building is going ahead for Corby Borough Council, which incorporates an acclaimed design and excellent range of facilities.


Work is now beginning on the dynamically designed ‘Corby Cube’ building in Northamptonshire for Corby Borough Council.
This follows the official signing of the construction contract in January, which has been awarded to Galliford Try.

The £25.5 million project is to be funded by Corby Borough Council, English Partnerships, East Midlands Development Agency (emda), the DCLG and Northamptonshire County Council, in partnership with the North Northamptonshire Development Company.

The design of the building, attributed to architectural practice Hawkins\Brown, has already gathered international interest and was runner-up in the prestigious 2007 LEAF Awards for the Best Public Building Design of the Year.

Due to be completed in late 2009, with a steel structure and four glass sides, the building reflects the town’s history as a steel producer.

'I think the concept of this new building is absolutely brilliant,' enthuses Mark Pengelly, Deputy Council Leader at Corby Borough Council.

'Built in the old civic hubs, the glass-fronted structure is not like any other in the area and it will become an iconic building.'
As a town that produced a high amount of steel until 1981, when the majority of the works closed down, Corby has since been plighted by unemployment and economic difficulty.

Through the ambitious £60 million Parkland Gateway project that the Corby Cube is part of, the civic heart of Corby is set to be transformed.

'Corby is a regeneration area and the library was burnt down over 25 years ago,' explains Pengelly.

'We carried out an assessment of what was needed in the area. We consulted and consulted again and found that we needed a building that would be central for the public to get to.

'A design competition was held to create a building that would be a new hub in the town centre and the Corby Cube building combines all the services under one roof.'

Facilities in the new building will include a 445-seat walnut-clad theatre with flexible flat floor auditorium and curved retractable seating system, an additional arts and studio space, library, ground floor café and hair salon.

The facilities are to be arranged around a spiralling circulation system consisting of ramps rising from the foyer through the building and a linear ‘lazy stair’.

Inspired by the concept of an art deco jewellery box, it will feature an elevation pattern of black and mirrored glass, with a series of openings and ‘open drawer’ projected spaces.

High quality solid panels and glazing will vary around the exterior according to the solar orientation of each façade.

To provide both visual stimulus and biodiversity, it is also proposed that the roof planes will include plantation. Other environmental considerations are achieved through natural ventilation where possible throughout the building, the recycling of rainwater and the building being partly powered by a number of small-scale wind turbines.

All these features add to the structure’s ability to meet the demanding BREEAM Excellence standard for sustainability.

An important aim of the Corby Cube project is to raise the profile of the area, and it is part of a scheme that also encompasses substantial improvements to the public space in the surrounding area.

This includes the closure of George Street to through traffic, which will connect the building with the rest of the town centre, creating a new town square.

It is hoped that the high quality of the materials used for both the building and the public space in its vicinity will create a precedent that will be aspired to by future developments in the town centre.

As Bob Lane, Chief Executive of North Northants Development Company, notes: 'The start of work on the Corby Cube is a milestone in the development of the Parkland Gateway project and the on-going transformation of Corby town centre.

' With work underway on the Corby-East Midlands International Pool and attractive landscaping plans in train, we are beginning to see the vision of this key regeneration project become reality.

'Coupled with the exciting new plans for the further development of the shopping centre, this announcement will leave no one in doubt that Corby is heading in the right direction.'



Your comments

As a fairly new resident of Corby, I feel very privileged to have become a part of this town at such an exciting time. This is the reason we moved to Corby. I can only hope the existing residents of Corby appreciate what is happening to their town. We have been made very, very welcome by the people of Corby and feel this regeneration is what they deserve. Keep it coming, lets enjoy it together!

Anon, Resident, Corby, Added: Thursday, 23 April 2009 12:33 PM



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