Who We Are

The principals of Icon Development come to this work from a diverse and non-traditional background. While our previous work might seem unrelated to the development business, we think that these experiences add an element to Icon not found in other development companies, and gives us a perspective that adds true value to our projects. Whether it is creating value through concept and design, management, or synthesizing new development and building techniques, we are well positioned to be a leader in the building and construction industry.

Veronica VanDeventer. Veronica is the business manager for Icon Development, LLC. Her background is in education, where she has taught business, economics, and computer applications for 17 years in the Roanoke Valley. Her Junior Achievement classes are famous for incubation of profitable student businesses; she and her classes have won numerous awards for their successful Junior Achievement accomplishments. Along with her husband, she has built several houses at Smith Mountain Lake, and is knowledgeable in all aspects of development and building. She brings a strong business focus to Icon, and as such is a key component to our success.

Larry VanDeventer. Larry brings a hand’s on building and construction knowledge to Icon Development, having built several homes at Smith Mountain Lake as a general contractor. In addition, Larry brings a strong design and creative eye to Icon with his many years in theater direction, set design, and building. Larry has been the director at the Fleming High School Program for Performing Arts, and has taken that program from its inception to current state-wide recognition in theatre arts. Larry is the true creative heart of Icon Development.

Al Henry. Al comes to Icon Development from a career in health care, and as a small business owner and entrepreneur. In addition, Al is currently enrolled in the MBA program at the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech. Al has strong connections with the sustainable building community in Atlanta, and brings many new concepts to the company, such as the EarthCraft House program. He is constantly on the lookout for new ideas that will add value to our developments, especially as they relate to sustainability issues.

Our Team. We believe that the best developments come from the best teams. We have worked hard to accumulate what we believe to be the best development team in the region—design, architecture, building, legal, marketing and sales. And we are very proud to be part of such an exceptional team, one that will set the standard for our region.

 

Development/Business Principles
We adhere to the principles of Natural Capitalism in which our ultimate goal is that our developments reach a net zero environmental impact. We plan to be wholeheartedly in the vanguard of the Next Industrial Revolution.

We are capitalists, and believe in the power of free markets (the invisible hand), and the magic of profit. All our developments will make money and will demonstrate that environmentally responsible development is good business. We recognize and respect our natural and human capital, and work to preserve and grow this capital at all times.

We adhere to the principles of New Urbanism and Smart Growth. We believe that these principles are clear and compelling. Diversity, walkability, and a mix of uses are among the keys to creating livable communities that will stand the test of time. We also believe that a key feature of the Next Industrial Revolution will be the rebuilding of our urban centers such that they become attractive and vibrant places for all ages and strata of society to live and work. With such concepts in mind, our company will strive to develop infill, grayfield, and brownfield sites within urban cores.

We love the places we create, and would be proud to live in any of them.

 

 
Values and Beliefs

Our Core Values and Beliefs describe how we aspire to treat each other, our customers, and all of our business associates. We believe that an intense focus on these Core Values and Beliefs will help us be successful in whatever we undertake.

  • Respect. We respect the individual, and believe that individuals who are treated with respect and given responsibility respond by giving their best.  

  • Integrity. We require complete honesty and integrity in everything we do.
  • Commitment. We make commitments with care, and then live up to them. In all things, we do what we say we are going to do.
  • Fun. Work is an important part of life, and it should be fun. Being a good business person does not mean being stuffy and boring.
  • Frugality. We are frugal. We guard and conserve the company’s resources with at least the same vigilance that we would use to guard and conserve our own personal resources.
  • Mistakes. We expect to make mistakes, but also expect to learn from them.  But we see a huge difference between “good mistakes” (best effort, bad result) and “bad mistakes” (sloppiness or lack of effort).
  • Clarity. Clarity in understanding our mission, our goals, and what we expect from each other is critical to our success.
  • Golden Rule. We are believers in the Golden Rule. In all our dealings we will strive to treat others as we would want to be treated
  • We expect the same in return.
  • Thankfulness. We never stop giving thanks for all we do and have.
  • We feel a sense of urgency on any matters related to our customers. We own problems and we are always responsive. We are customer driven.
 
Harmony… Sustainability…Community

ICON-- an image, reflection, or vision. Icon Development, LLC was founded on a shared vision—a vision of the kind of company we would be, a vision of the communities we would develop, a vision of the houses we would build, and finally, a reflection of how we would treat all the people we would deal with. This vision is articulated in the concepts of harmony, sustainability, and community, and it is these concepts that guide every decision we make and all we do.

Harmony... We Believe in the power of harmony; that our developments should be statements of harmony and never detract from the surroundings in which they exist. From neighborhood planning, to housing layout, to home design, we want our neighborhoods to be ones that we are proud to have built, and ones that our homeowners are proud to live in. From initial concept to finished construction, we strive always to create places of uncommon harmony.

Sustainability... We Believe in the need to sustain our natural and environmental resources. Belief in the obligation to engage in sustainable building and development practices is at the heart of our company. At initial concept, we look at development from the standpoint of conservation of existing natural resources. During planning, engineering and construction, we look for ways to avoid or limit environmental damage. Icon strives to leave developments with more trees and vegetation than when we started; leave open and green space in our communities; limit and recycle construction waste. The homes in our communities will be built to high performance standards in order to reduce energy consumption. In fact, we are Southwest Virginia’s first EarthCraft-certified development company. Using the US Green Building Council, Virginia Sustainable Building Network, and Southface Energy Institute for guidance, we are constantly seeking new and better ways to be responsible stewards of our environment. We have children, too. How can we leave them with anything less than what we have been given? Sustainability—it’s just the right thing to do.

Community... We Believe in the power of community. Living in a world where forces are constantly at work to separate people, we design our communities as neighborhoods, as places where people of all ages can gather to interact. We want our developments to be places not just to return to a home but also to return to a place of neighbors connecting with neighbors.

Who Are We Are

 

EarthCraft Houses

 

EarthCraft House is a green building program that serves as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that reduce utility bills and protect the environment. EarthCraft House is a partnership between the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, Southface Energy Institute, government and industry partner. Icon Development, LLC is proud to participate in the EarthCraft House program.

 

ELEMENTS OF AN EARTHCRAFT HOUSE:

 

SITE PLANNING

 

· Erosion control site plan

· Mill cleared logs

· Protected tree save area (min 25% of development or lot)

· Tree planting (min 12 trees per acre of enveloped land; min 2” caliper)

 

ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING ENVELOPE AND SYSTEMS

 

Air sealing measures

 

· Chases sealed and insulated

· Attic kneewall has sealed exterior sheathing

· Bottom plate sealed to floor or foundation

· Gaps in exterior wall sheathing sealed

· Shower and tub drains sealed

· Attic kneewall doors and scuttle holes weather-stripped

· Penetrations through drywall in attached garage sealed

· Pass blower door test

Insulation

 

· Condition basement walls R-5

· Attic kneewall doors R-19

· Attic pull-down/scuttle hole R-19

Windows

 

· Windows NRFC certified with label, and U-factor less than 0.40

-
· Windows, skylight and glass door SHGC of less than 0.35

 

Heating and cooling equipment

 

· Manual J calculation for sizing heating and cooling equipment

 

· Ductwork and air leakage test

 

· Air handlers and duct systems sealed with mastic or mastic tape

 

· No ducts in exterior walls or vaulted ceilings

 

· Pass duct leakage test

ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING/APPLIANCES

 

· Energy Star Dishwasher

 

· Indoor fluorescent fixtures (min 200 watts)

RESOURCE EFFICIENT DESIGN

 

· Floor joists @ 19.2” centers

· 2-stud corners with drywall clips or alternative framing

· T-walls with drywall clips or alternative framing

 

RESOURCE EFFICIENT BUILDING MATERIALS

 

· Insulations (min 25% recycled content)

 

· Engineered roof framing

 

· Roofing (min 30 warranty)

 

· Walls covered with builder paper or housewrap (drainage plane)

 

· Back-prime siding and trim

 

· Window and door pan and sill flashing integrated with drainage plane

 

· Window and door head flashing integrated drainage plane

 

· Roof gutters discharge water 5’ away from foundation

 

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT

 

· On-site grinding of wood and drywall waste

 

· Central cutting area for framing

 

 

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

 

· Combustion water heater isolated from conditioned space

 

· Gravel bed beneath slab

 

· Vapor barrier beneath slab (above gravel and in crawl space

 

· Bathroom exhaust fans ducted to outside

 

· Passive radon/soil gas vent

 

· Outside air intake

 

· 2” pleated filter or thicker

 

 

WATER- INDOOR

 

· High-efficiency water heater

· Tankless water heater

 

WATER- OUTDOOR

 

· Drought-tolerant landscaping

 

· Efficient irrigation system with controls

 

 

HOMEBUYER EDUCATION

 

· Review Energy operations with homeowner

· Environmental features checklist for walk-through

 

BUILDER OPERATIONS

 

· Environmental checklist provided to all subcontractors

· Certified Professional Home Builder Certificate

 

Who Are We Are
Values and Beliefs
EarthCraft Houses