Design & Build Event – (Full scale prototyping)

Build designs at full scale. We supply the materials and tools, and project manage the build. Students will learn the relevant construction skills on the job.

REAL on-site building projects

We work with the students to build a real project. We can input into your design work to ensure that the building techniques will be appropriate for the skill level of the group and to help manage the budgets.

Lecture (including practical demonstrations)
Title – Cleft and Roundwood in Construction
Topics – Shingle use, Round pole techniques, Appropriate British woodland species.

Featured Project – Bath University

Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering
Annual design and build project at Westonbirt Arboretum

An annual five day project for 3rd and 4th year Architecture students. All wood harvested at the arboretum.

Building materials – The use of natural materials is in these situations keeps project costs down, allows many people to be engaged at once and largely requires the use of hand-powered tools – far easier on the ears and the risk assessment. For most students, this will be their first encounter with natural building materials.  It’s a demanding challenge, as well as creating good discussions around sustainability issues. We can offer students the opportunity to experience the complete cycle of production, from tree felling and processing to crafting the final structure – a hugely satisfying and insightful experience.

Other groups we’ve worked with

Over the years Wholewoods have run many educational sessions on natural building for organisations and local groups, including: Oxford Brookes University; Falmouth University; The Green Building Council; BTCV; Eon; London College of Communication; Wateraid; Peter Bedford Housing Association; various City Farms; The Transition Network; and The Permaculture Association