Timber Frame Self Build (Sold out on this date)

Build a small timber frame structure with simple easy-to-learn techniques.

Timber can be a low impact, highly versatile, easy-to-use building material. Spend the week working on a real-life project with two of the UK’s leading proponents of timber frame self build, learning a range of techniques that will help you get started on your own projects.

Key information

• Duration: five days
• Upcoming dates: please see booking section below for all available dates
• Start and finish times: starts at 5pm and ends at 2pm on the last day
• Fees: waged £650; low waged / concessions £600
• Includes: tuition, all materials, full board shared accommodation (single accommodation is available for an additional £80)
• What to bring: as this is a highly practical course, safety boots are required

What you will learn

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.

Also included are talks on planning, ecological building materials and low energy homes.

You will gain lots of hands-on experience culminating in a finished timber frame at the end of the week.

The course is for anyone with an interest in sustainable construction and self-build, and we welcome self-builders, construction teachers, individuals wishing to re-skill and architects looking to develop their knowledge of sustainable materials.

There will be time during the course to ask questions about your own projects so if you have existing drawings and plans do bring them along.

Meet your tutor

Your main tutors for this course are Pat Borer and Geoff Stow.

Geoff built his own home on a self build scheme in London many years ago, and went on to site-manage other self build schemes in London and Brighton. He runs training courses and offers advice for self builders through his consultancy BIY.

He was worked as development worker for the Walter Segal Self Build Trust, and was a committee member of The Association for Environment Conscious Building (AECB).