Tailored services

Housing Associations

We offer design solutions which reduce build cost dramatically, as well as providing efficient and low cost to run affordable housing.

Building with Straw bales is an ideal solution for low-cost Social Housing.
Communities can be involved in the build process, creating good team work and a sense of ownership of the area.

We are currently working with a local authority in Lincolnshire in order to produce 5 dwellings with high energy efficiency and low carbon footprint.

Please look at our press releases and our previous community projects.
We are also able to tailor make a Team building event or Presentation to your needs.

Self-builders

Our 12 years experience working with individuals on different projects, mean that we are able to provide self-builders with a comprehensive package to see through the project from start to finish. We are able to guide you through the Planning Application and Building Control stage (all our methods of sustainable building have been passed through building regulations, and there is a section dedicated to the new Part L of building regulations in the 2007 edition of Barbara Jones' book ‘Building with Straw Bales, available from us or Amazon.)
We can also provide construction drawings which enable either you or your builder to work from throughout the build process.

On-site training is one of our most popular services: we can provide training to yourselves, your builder, or we can run courses on sections of your build. This gives other people the opportunity to learn on a live build, you have more hands to work on your build, and have the overseeing technical eye of one of our experienced trainers.

We also have a large database of volunteers interested in helping on builds, if you needed extra hands throughout the process!

Take a look at the Grand Designs Eco Home of the year 2008, which we helped design and build, or some of our other previous self-builds.

Or book onto one of our Seminars or Courses

Contractors

We have a team of trained builders who can work on foundations, Straw bale building, Clay rendering and Lime Plastering within a build, anywhere across the country.

Recently, we have successfully completed the Straw bale part of a project in Stoke-in-Trent, and will be managing more projects this year.

Please look at our past projects such as the build with National Trust, or our work on the largest Straw bale building in the UK, or contact us for a quote.

We can provide a Presentation if you would like to learn more about our practice.

Architects

Our in house designers are able to offer consultancy on an hourly basis, half day or full day. We are able to discuss plans already in existence, or to discuss how straw can work in various different building designs.

We also offer an energy optimalisation service for any building.

We are able to visit your offices, or alternatively we can hold consultations here in West Yorkshire.

Please look at our previous projects, such as the largest Straw bale building in the UK or contact us to arrange a meeting.

Alternatively, look at our list of Seminars or Presentations available.

Community Groups

We have a lot of experience of working with community groups on various build projects, including working with volunteer groups, and designing to a minimum budget.

Our designers can work on your plans to develop a cost effective building to the budget required, including the use of our energy optimalisation programming.
We can also arrange training days to help build the structure, and volunteers to help on site.

We have successfully completed a community building for the Agbrigg allotments, take a look here, or contact us.

Schools & Students

We have experienced trainers, able to work with any age on sustainability and building processes. These can include practical sessions with a chance to experience Straw bales first hand, and other associated skills.

We have been involved in practical days at the Weald and Downland Museum, and provided training for schools days at Hampton Court for Richmond Local Authority schools (Key Stage 3).

At the other end of education, our trainers teach part of the Architecture MSc course at Wales' Centre for Alternative Technology, and regularly provide Lectures for University courses, such as Architecture, Engineering, Construction courses and more.

We also have a good relationship with Oxford Women's Training, and are featured in their educational DVD ‘Raising the roof'.
Please contact us to discuss how we can work with you further.

CPD / Seminars

We have a range of seminar subjects, delivered as a daily course including various practical taster sessions and tasks.

Topics include:

  • Low impact foundations - designs with no cement or plastic, approved by Building Regulations.
  • What's different about building with straw - design principles.
  • Strawbale building and the Building Regulations.
  • Straw as a way to reduce the carbon footprint.
  • Moisture management in strawbale design.
  • How to use straw as a structural block.
  • Use of straw for commercial buildings.
  • Modern uses of clay plasters.
  • The Lime Cycle - why we use lime for plasters and renders.

These are run regularly at our premises in West Yorkshire, as well as in London at Hackney City Farm, in the Straw bale Resource room we designed and built with the farm. If you would like to discuss us providing these at an alternative location, please contact us.

If you would rather a Presentation to your company or group, click here.

Team Building

We can tailor make a one day event for your company or group to get involved in sustainable building, where team work is critical!

This is also an excuse to introduce everyone to sustainable construction, and building methods which can benefit our health, our environment, and our pockets!

We have previously run training days for Bradford College: read their comments here or contact us to discuss your needs.

Talks & Presentations

We provide fully illustrated Power point presentations on Straw bale building and sustainable construction methods, with the following main headings:

List here

We can also deliver these from our large premises in West Yorkshire, where practical demonstrations can be added for a more visual experience.

We are constantly adding to our selection of talks, so if you would like a particular subject heading covered which isn't on the list, please contact us.

Presentations can be provided nationally; please contact us to discuss available dates and locations.