We
offer a design, advice,
consultancy and training
service to prospective builders, self-builders, architects
and community groups who want to build with straw bales. We
are not a construction company, rather we aim to empower others
to be involved in the whole process of building, through support,
skill-sharing, training and advice.
Our involvement in each project is as much or as little as
the client requires.
Our design input may mean simply checking over plans produced
by the client or client's architect/draughtsperson, or it
could mean providing full plans for planning permission and
full construction drawings for building and building control
purposes.
Our involvement in building may be limited to providing on-site
training in strawbale construction for volunteers or course
participants, or it could mean working closely with a local
firm of builders or carpenters to train them in the specific
knowledge they require in order to work with straw successfully.
A
typical project
• would include us working with your draughtsperson
or architect at the design stage, and producing detailed
construction drawings that would include all relevant information
for building regulations and ordering of materials.
• Or you may not need an architect – it may
be that you can work with construction drawings and plans
from us.
• We would then be available by phone or email for
on-the-spot advice if required by the carpenters and builders
involved in the preparations for building.
• We would be on site to train volunteers, course
participants, or a local firm in strawbale building techniques,
and to oversee quality control as the straw bale walls went
up.
• (This training could include carpentry, foundations,
roofing, if required and if appropriate).
• The rest of the building, including roofing, plumbing,
electrics and carpentry would typically be carried out either
by a local firm, or self-builders, or a combination of both.
Again, we would expect to train them in relevant details
in order for the building to be a success and we would be
available for help and advice if needed during the rest
of the build.
• Plastering of the walls could be done either as
a volunteer training project in a similar fashion to the
strawbale walls, or could be undertaken by professional
lime plasterers.
In all cases, the key to a durable and energy efficient
strawbale building lies in good design, a sound understanding
of the principles of strawbale building, quality work and
attention to detail throughout the building process, and
adequate and appropriate maintenance throughout the life
of the building.
Consultancy
charges
If you need additional or specific advice, you can contact
us on a consultancy basis,
for which there is a charge per hour :
• Fully Illustrated lectures, talks and workshops available
—
slides/powerpoint presentations and demonstration builds for
your group,
institution or event.
• Design advice and consultancy offered;
• Full construction drawings;
• site visits and on-site supervision and training given.
Rates - on application .
In some cases, discounts may be possible for unfunded groups,
or people with a low income.
Please feel free
to call
us or email if you want to discuss your
project with us.
