Written and presented by Mark Saich of Green Building Solutions, this one day seminar brings expert insight into the subject of designing and building high performing, healthy houses that will be future proofed against climate change. The emphasis throughout the seminar will be on down-to-earth advice to use in practice.

This seminar takes a critical exploration through Part L, SAP and associated guidance to look at what is required to achieve compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations and the energy sections of the Code for Sustainable Homes, highlighting solutions and pitfalls through worked examples/case studies.

Throughout the day, Mark will emphasise the sustainable aspects of the Regulations and Standards. Delegates leave with a full understanding of how to design and build low energy, healthy, fully compliant homes fit for the 21st century and will also question whether the current legislation, tools and guidance help or hinder achieving energy efficient and healthy homes.

What delegates said about previous seminars by Mark Saich

“Good speaker, very knowledgable. Made a dull subject quite entertaining” 

“Great presentation and speaker”

“Very helpful – enjoyed slightly cynical humour!” 

“Really good pace and well presented, kept our attention all day”

“Relatively simple approach to complex changes to already complex subject matter – well presented”

“Really excellent & seamless, expansive knowledge”

Booking only through Pines Calyx

Just starting on site this self build house in Essex will have load bearing straw bale walls. Construction drawings, specification, SAP and U value calculations were recently completed for submission to the local authority building control by Green Building Solutions. Foundations are already poured and work on ladders and subframes etc is imminent.
The client chose straw bale as a way of achieving super insulation on a budget and as a build method he could do as a DIY project.
To gain additional confidence in tackling the project on his own the client attended a recent straw bale building workshop by Green Building Solutions.

Updates to follow as the project progresses.

Earth materials were used widely all around the world in buildings of all types up until the 19th century.  The move away from unfired clay in construction was not because the material was primitive or had been failed, but due to the commercialisation of building materials.

Clay plasters have complex qualities that require a proper understanding. Correctly mixed and applied Clay plasters and renders can perform to a very high level, are durable and attractive. Clay is a widely-available material that is easy to use and is non-toxic, usually used as an internal plaster but can also be used as external render or as the base coat to Lime render. Breathable plasters are an essential component to Straw Bale and other forms of construction. Unlike cement, lime and gypsum plasters and renders Clay is not caustic and it takes a long time to ‘cure’ this lends itself to a hands on approach and leads to a very creative use of the material.

On this one day clay plastering and rendering workshop you will learn how to source, test, mix and apply clay render to create a variety finishes. It is a hands-on, practical workshop where participants are involved in rendering a Straw Bale wall at Rippledown Environmental Education Centre. Join us on this fun and informative workshop which will give you the understanding and confidence to try out this material on your own projects.

The one-day clay rendering and plastering workshop covers:

• Benefits of clay plaster/render?
• Sourcing clay
• Use of additives
• Testing clay mixes
• Assessing existing clay plaster/render
• Methods of applying clay plaster/render
• Choice and use of tools

Booking through Rippledown – link here.

Energy efficiency and the wider issues of sustainability are becoming key issues of concern in our fragile and rapidly changing planet. In the drive towards healthy, sustainable and energy efficient building it is becoming increasingly apparent that the use of natural renewable materials have a major role to play. In this new series of workshops by Green Building Solutions the use of straw bales in the construction of load and non-load bearing walls is explored through presentation, demonstration and practical workshop constructing a wall following typical details.

During this one day straw bale training workshop you get a hands on introduction into viability and techniques for building with straw bales through the construction of a demonstration wall. For details of our Two Day Straw Bale Training Workshops click here.

Each One Day Straw Bale Training Workshop covers:

• Pros and cons of straw bale building
• Types of straw bale building
• Straw bale selection and quality
• Erecting bale walls
• Resizing straw bales
• Head and sole ladder construction
• Loading and compression
• Stiffening
• Trimming and shaping

One Day Straw Bale Training Workshops will be run each Spring, Summer and Autumn at a site near Blean/Dargate, Canterbury.

For details of our Two Day Straw Bale Training Workshops click here.

Workshop times: 9.00am arrival for 9.30 start until approx 4.30pm
Workshop cost: £70 per person (includes refreshments but excludes meals – please bring a packed lunch)

For 2012 dates look at the events diary or email us to be added to mailing list.

Download booking form here.

Please note straw bale training workshops are a practical and hands on experience. The workshops are held outside with minimal shelter. You will need to wear sturdy footwear and clothes appropriate to the tasks and weather.

Due to the limitation of time the days focus will be on the straw bale wall aspect of a building. Detailed coverage on rendering and plastering form part of separate workshops.

For details of our Two Day Straw Bale Training Workshops click here.

Energy efficiency and the wider issues of sustainability are becoming key issues of concern in our fragile and rapidly changing planet. In the drive towards healthy, sustainable and energy efficient building it is becoming increasingly apparent that the use of natural renewable materials have a major role to play.

In this new series of workshops by Green Building Solutions the use of straw bales in the construction of load and non-load bearing walls is explored through presentation, demonstration and practical workshop constructing a wall following typical details.

During this Two Day Straw Bale Training Workshop you learn about the history, viability and techniques for building with straw bales. You will get hands on experience through the construction of a demonstration wall.
For details of our One Day Straw Bale Training Workshops click here.

The Two Day Straw Bale Training Workshops cover:

• History of straw bale building
• Pros and cons of straw bale building
• Types of straw bale building
• Building regulation issues – structure, fire, damp, thermal etc
• Planning issues
• Straw bale selection and quality
• Laying bale walls
• Resizing straw bales
• Head and sole ladder construction
• Loading and compression
• Stiffening
• Trimming and shaping
• Creation of openings for doors and windows
• Preparations for rendering and plastering

Two Day Straw Bale Training Workshops will be run each Spring, Summer and Autumn at Rippledown Environmental Education Centre, Ringwould Nr Deal Kent.
For details of our One Day Straw Bale Training Workshops click here.

Workshop times: 9.00am arrival for 9.30 start until approx 4.30pm
Workshop cost: £150 per person (includes refreshments and a hearty lunch for both days)

For 2012 dates look at the events diary or email us to be added to mailing list.

Booking through Rippledown – Link here.

Please note straw bale training workshops are a practical and hands on experience. The workshops are held outside with minimal shelter. You will need to wear sturdy footwear and clothes appropriate to the tasks and weather.

Due to the limitation of time the days focus will be on the straw bale wall aspect of a building. Detailed coverage on rendering and plastering form part of separate workshops.
For details of our One Day Straw Bale Training Workshops click here.

Straw Bale building is gaining interest and momentum across the UK and Kent is no exception. Here a selection of articles of Straw Bale Building projects in and around Kent many featuring projects by Green Building Solutions.

For further information of Straw Bale Building Services by Green Building Solutions click HERE.

For further information on the projects featured in the articles choose from links below:

Straw Bale House in Woodchurch

BEECHE – Visitor Centre

Rippledown Classroom

Straw Bale Training Workshops

Eco Building Advice Surgery by Mark Saich of Green Building Solutions and Paul Mallion of Conker Conservation at Bring and Fix at Westgate Hall, Canterbury Sunday 26th February 2012 between Noon and 4pm.

Bring and Fix 

Bring and Fix is a new intergenerational fair created by Philippe Granger, and during which local people come together to share their skills and knowledge – to help each other and have fun while doing so. It is an event where individuals ‘fix’ small things, seek and provide advice, and come up with solutions. Its aim is to build sustainable communities through recognisable events that can be repeated in one’s locality or community on a regular basis. The aim of Bring and Fix is to encourage people to get involved with their community and to repair and recycle instead of throwing away.

The Bring and Fix at Westgate Hall Canterbury is one of numerous events being organised by the Westgate Hall Trust.

As part of the Bring and Fix Green Building Solutions and Conker Conservation ltd will be giving advice of energy savings measures, advice on how to go about get repairs, upgrades or renovations to your property. If you want to know how to save money on your fuel bills and reduce your carbon footprint, are thinking of extending or renovation your home, thinking about building a new home but don’t know where to start then come and visit us for an informal chat and get un-biased advice to help you get your project started.

Other “Fixers” include: Gardening and food growing advice, sewing, bike repairs and curry cooking tips! For more information on the event and how you can get involved visit the Westgate Hall Trust website event page.

Here you will find mini case studies of some of the more interesting projects we’ve been involved with, news, details of seminars, workshops and other events we are hosting, delivering or that we just think you should know about. Search the blog for subjects that interest you using the search bar below or the categories to the right.

Client: BSK for K-college construction department
Location: Dover Cruise terminal

Business Support Kent financed a straw bale building workshop at the Kent Marine Festival. The Festival was organised as careers and courses open day for school children from around Kent. K-College had various stands showcasing their courses including the construction multi trades course. The straw bale workshop gave an opportunity for a group of K-College construction multi-skills students to try their hands at straw bale construction and for visitors and other exhibitors to get an insight to straw bale building methods and benefits.

Written and presented by Mark Saich, this NEW one day Green Register seminar was held in London on 23rd February 2012 and Bristol on 15th March 2012. Next dates are Manchester 23rd May 2012 and Birmingham 20th June 2012.

Mark brings expert insight into the subject of designing high performing, healthy houses that will be future proofed against climate change. The emphasis throughout the seminar will be on down-to-earth advice to use in practice.

This seminar takes a critical exploration through Part L, SAP and associated guidance to look at what is required to achieve compliance with the building regulations and Code for Sustainable Homes (ENE1 and 2), highlighting solutions and pitfalls through worked examples/case studies.

Throughout the day, Mark will emphasise the sustainable aspects of the Regulations and standards so that delegates leave with a full understanding of how to design and build low energy, healthy, fully compliant homes fit for the 21st century and will also question whether the current tools and guidance can truly deliver energy efficient and healthy homes.

What Green Register delegates said about the masterclass held in London in February?

“Good speaker, very knowledgable. Made a dull subject quite entertaining” 

“Great presentation and speaker”

“Very helpful – enjoyed slightly cynical humour!” 

What Green Register delegates said about previous Building Regs seminars delivered by Green Building Solutions…

“Really good pace and well presented, kept our attention all day”

“Relatively simple approach to complex changes to already complex subject matter – well presented”

“Really excellent & seamless, expansive knowledge”

“Course was great – Thanks!”

Booking only through Green Register

Download Green Register information and booking flyer for Manchester event here.
Download Green Register information and booking flyer for Birmingham event here.