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.

Sustainable Building Materials

Powys - Next course on 18th May 2020

£750

Join students from CAT’s Graduate School of the Environment for an immersive week of hands-on workshops, demonstrations and lectures covering a wide range of low impact, natural building materials. Get to grips with straw bale building, timber frames, hemp and binder, rammed earth and lime with a series of practical activities, and learn about their history, physical properties, environmental impacts and design limitations through a range of expert lectures. Explore composite materials and pre-fabricated components, look at natural and synthetic insulation, and learn how different materials handle moisture and condensation....

Timber Frame Self Build

Powys - Next course on 27th April 2020

£700

This practical, hands-on course gives you the opportunity to work on a real building project, creating a small, simple timber frame structure (similar to those used in a Walter Segal house) from scratch. During the week you’ll learn a range of timber frame building techniques, how to use tools safely and correctly, marking out, measuring and cutting the frame as well as frame-raising. We'll also look at planning, ecological building materials and low energy homes. The course is for anyone with an interest in sustainable construction and self-build, and we...

Build a Natural House

Powys - Next course on 23rd March 2020

£650

Explore using natural building materials and begin to develop the skills needed to build your own outhouse, garden retreat or even extend or build your own home. Whatever your grand design, this practical course can help put some of those ideas into focus, pick up new skills and learn the tricks of the trade from an experienced builder and Master Carpenter. This course is a great introduction to learning a whole host of natural building techniques in a unique, supportive and inspiring environment. The course will cover: • The practicals...

Eco Refurbishment

Powys - Next course on 17th April 2020

£500

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...

Bronze AWARD

Architecture for 15 – 17 Year Olds - Nottingham Trent University

Nottinghamshire - Next course on 27th July 2020

£450

This one week architecture summer course for teenagers 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...

Self-Build Project Management

Powys - Next course on 4th April 2020

£230

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

Devon

£230

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....

Introduction to Lime Plastering

Gloucestershire - Next course on 21st February 2020

£150

This one 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

Gold AWARD

(3)

Beginners DIY day course

Surrey - Next course on 20th January 2020

£125

For dates and to book please click on the 'View website' link above. *NEW EVENING CLASS OPTION This course is aimed at the home owner who would like to build their home maintenance, repair and home renovating skills. During this one day course you will learn the following: Course content: - How to drill into plasterboard, wood, concrete, glass and brick - Replacing a door (hanging the door, replacing hinges, installing door hardware-handle & lock) - Repairing plasterboard (cracks, small and large holes) - Blocking up a doorway or opening...

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

Platinum AWARD

(5)

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

Cumbria - Next course on 4th June 2020

£100

DATES: Our full year of 100+ set workshop dates are on OUR website (purple tab) along with availability and how to book. Next year’s extensive programme has launched; courses are filling quickly as they make popular Christmas gifts. To be among the first to receive any new dates, please use the ‘Keep me Posted’ icon, at the top RHS of our website page. Thank you and Happy Crafting! 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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