Traditional building skills & conservation courses

You may also be interested in: Stone sculpture | Traditional woodland crafts & green woodworking

Learn traditional building and conservation skills with our experts, explore hand tools, power tools and the best methods of working, whether it's with wood, straw, lime, clay or stone.

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Eco Refurbishment

Eco Refurbishment

In-person course

Refurbishing our homes to make them more energy efficient is one of the key aspects of effective action on climate change. Learn from one of the UK’s leading experts in eco refurbishment and discover what key improvements you can make. Topics covered include: • Solid wall insulation • Insulating materials, from the commonly available to the cutting edge, including the practical issues and compromises associated with each • U-values of materials and understanding the heat loss of buildings • Renewable energy options and sustainable water systems taught through specialist tours...

Architecture for 12 – 14 Year Olds - Nottingham Trent University

Architecture for 12 – 14 Year Olds - Nottingham Trent University

In-person course

Nottinghamshire

This summer course explores creative thinking, drawing, model making and advanced technologies that architects use today. The course will introduce you to contemporary approaches to architecture, with ingenious projects that will develop your awareness of how designers are shaping the modern world we live in. In addition to talks and demonstrations, you’ll be set projects that you’ll work on in groups, presenting your ideas in 2D as well as simple 3D models - to give you a taste of what it’s like to work in industry. There’ll be short, quick...

Architecture for 15 – 17 Year Olds - Nottingham Trent University

Architecture for 15 – 17 Year Olds - Nottingham Trent University

In-person course

Nottinghamshire

This summer course explores new ways of thinking and advanced technologies that are being used by professional architects today. The course will introduce you to contemporary approaches to design, with ingenious projects that will develop your awareness of how designers are shaping the modern world we live in. During this course you will: - investigate current building projects in the UK and around the world - learn the various stages of design development that professionals must go through - go on excursions to see local projects in progress, as well...

Fixing your damp house

Fixing your damp house

In-person course

Learn from an experienced conservation builder how to spot and tackle damp problems in your home. This course will help you to recognise the warning signs of damp problems, where past conservation efforts may have gone wrong and to explore the different techniques and methods you can use to reduce or eliminate the problem. Part of the course will be run as a ‘building surgery’, where you will be able to get consultation and advice on how to make your home nicer to live in, cheaper to run and more...

Introduction to lime plastering

Introduction to lime plastering

In-person course

Gloucestershire

This two day course will teach you how to select the correct materials for your job and mix them to the correct consistency. A practical demonstration will be given followed by the opportunity to have a go yourself. The aim of the course is to give participants the confidence to carry out small repairs to their own homes. Course content •Why and when to use lime •Choosing the right materials •Wall preparation •Creating the perfect mix •Practical application of lime plaster •Looking after your plaster

Self-Build Project Management

Self-Build Project Management

In-person course

If you’re thinking of building your own home, community space or other self-build structure, it pays to be prepared. Find out how to create a project plan for your build, which key elements you should include, when key tasks should happen and how long they are likely to take. You’ll also learn key dependencies between tasks so you can establish a critical path and calculate the total time for your build. Topics covered include: • How to create a project plan • How to create a budget plan • How...

Strawbale Building Course in Devon

Strawbale Building Course in Devon

In-person course

Devon - Next course on 13th July 2020

An exciting and hands on course to equip you with the knowledge and experience to build with this ecological and versatile resource. Straw bale construction has many advantages. Straw is widely available and a by- product of crop production. It’s affordable and renewable, and carries a far smaller carbon footprint than more commonly used building methods. Straw bales are incredibly insulating and make exceedingly energy efficient buildings. A straw bale construction will save you money not only in the initial building costs, but year after year with its insulating properties....

Wood carving an architectural ornament at The Old Kennels

Wood carving an architectural ornament at The Old Kennels

In-person course

Carving in a historic style inspired by C17th limewood architectural carving made famous by Grinling Gibbons with Hannah Hartwell. You will be provided with a prepared blank of limewood and will learn to carve an acanthus leaf, husk or floral decoration used in architectural ornament. You will be shown all of the processes using traditional tools and techniques. Suitable for beginners or, for anyone with experience there will be a choice of more complex projects. For those who have been on a previous course, there will be a choice of...

Build A Wood-Fired Outdoor Cob Oven

Build A Wood-Fired Outdoor Cob Oven

In-person course

Buckinghamshire

Join us for this 2-day outdoor oven building course, where you will learn how to make a traditional cob oven with a reclaimed brick and flint base, and a cob top. This is a unique opportunity to learn how to build a cob oven for your garden - a real must for us all now that we will be spending more of our time at home over the summer than we had planned. Outdoors and socially distancing in accordance with government guidelines, the group will collectively build a beautiful, functional...

Cob clay pizza oven building with David Alty: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

Cob clay pizza oven building with David Alty: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

In-person course

Covid19 update: offering over 100+ courses in Cumbria & the Lakes, we hope to resume all 'in person' courses in late July 2020. During lock down, we've upgraded a listed barn into a beautiful spacious workshop studio, enabling courses to take place with 2m distancing, hand washing and two staircases. It's possible usual catered lunches may not be included for summer courses, depending on circumstances at the time. About the workshop: Over this busy one day course (originally a two day affair) you will together learn how to build a...

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