Info, news & debate
Low-impact building
Hartwyn free natural building course: 2019 applications now open
We hear from Joe Duirwyn of Hartwyn about a fantastic free natural building learning opportunity running from June to September 2019.
Community-led housing – what’s different about mutual home ownership societies (MHOS): interview with Paul Chatterton of LILAC
We talk with Paul Chatterton of LILAC community in Leeds about what’s different when it comes to mutual home ownership societies in community-led housing.
How to build a low-cost, high-performing living green roof
Sigi Koko of Down to Earth Design shares her top tips for building a low-cost, high-performing living green roof.
The European Straw Bale Gathering is coming to Yorkshire for 2019
The European Straw Bale Gathering is heading to the UK for the very first time in August 2019. Learn all about it here.
Want to be a Planning Manager with the Ecological Land Cooperative?
The Ecological Land Cooperative is looking for a part-time Planning Manager, with an application deadline of 15 April 2019.
Interested in earth building? Come to EBUKI’s mini Clayfest 2019 in Wales!
Rowland Keable of Earth Building UK and Ireland shares news of a mini but mighty Clayfest 2019 with the theme of building confidence in clay.
The benefits and challenges of natural paints with Sigi Koko
Sigi Koko outlines the pros, cons and considerations when it comes to making non-toxic natural paints from the simplest of ingredients.
How to make natural non-toxic paint from clay
Natural builder Sigi Koko shares her tried and tested method of making natural non-toxic paint from clay.
Free learning with a Wholewoods community build camp in 2019
Wholewoods are continuing their fantastic work, offering volunteers on-site learning on a 2019 build camp to construct a roundhouse for OrganicLea. Adrian Leaman has all the details of how to get involved below.
How to build an adobe earthen floor with Sigi Koko (Part 4)
Natural builder Sigi Koko of Down to Earth Design shares how to perfect the final finishing layer of an adobe earthen floor.
How to build an adobe earthen floor with Sigi Koko (Part 3)
Sigi Koko teaches us the different approaches to the levelling layer in Part 3 of how to build an adobe earthen floor.
How to build an adobe earthen floor with Sigi Koko (Part 2)
In Part 2 of how to build an adobe earthen floor, Sigi Koko of Down to Earth Design tackles the all important base layer.
How to build an adobe earthen floor with Sigi Koko (Part 1)
Natural builder Sigi Koko of Down to Earth Design shares how to build an adobe floor. In Part 1, we learn about the substrate through to the insulation layer critical for any earthen floor.
An exciting opportunity to develop a natural building design company
Leading straw-bale builder Barbara Jones shares news of an exciting opportunity to develop a growing design company in the natural building world. The author of Building with Straw Bales and star of our straw-bale building online course tells us more from here.
How to source timber: a joiner’s point of view
From growing the trees to selecting the right timber for the job, Andy Reynolds brings a lifetime of experience in forestry, carpentry and innovative thinking to timber for building. Here he explains how to source timber as responsibly as you can.
How to make your own natural paint with milk
Whether it’s for your kitchen walls or your 5 year old’s latest masterpiece, Sigi Koko shares her simple recipes for homemade natural paint with milk.
What might buildings, settlements and even regions look like through the lens of Permaculture design?
This is the transcript of a talk given by Paul Jennings to the recent SBUK Big Straw Bale Gathering. Paul has built his straw-bale family home on a ‘One-Planet Development’ smallholding in Wales (costing £12,000).
Interested in building with straw? Don’t miss The Big Straw Bale Gathering!
It’s not too late to join the biggest straw-bale building event of the year this August in Swansea. Jeffrey Hart of SBUK tells us about how you can get involved, learning all about building with straw from an impressive line-up of speakers to hands-on workshops.
Volunteers needed for The Community Farm roundhouse build – could it be you?
The Community Farm is seeking volunteers to help finish their spectacular roundhouse project. Annabel Wallace tells us how you can get involved.
Calling all earth-building enthusiasts – come and join Clayfest 2018!
With nine different earth building techniques covered and a whole host of activity planned, this is the place to be for anyone interested in building with earth. Rowland Keable at EBUKI tells us more.