Straw Bale Construction – live build workshop

Join WeCanMake and Material Cultures to explore the theory and hands-on practice of retrofitting masonry buildings with straw bales.

This is a two-day workshop offering practical techniques for using locally sourced straw bales to insulate existing buildings. An introduction will be given by Barbara Jones, who will provide an overview of the contemporary practices of straw construction. Participants will learn how to arrange and fasten the bales securely, creating solid, well-constructed walls. The workshop will cover the basics of using straw bales as a building material, focusing on methods appropriate for external wall insulation.

Read more about the live build project here.

Barbara Jones is a pioneering natural builder and educator, passionate about creating affordable, healthy homes using natural materials. With a background in mainstream construction and years of experience in strawbale building, Barbara has been at the forefront of the movement since 1995. Through the School of Natural Building (SNaB), she mentors self-builders and teaches across the UK. She is the author of the acclaimed manual Building with Straw Bales , and has received multiple awards for her groundbreaking work, including the CIOB’s "World’s Best Woman Builder." As a designer of innovative, cement-free foundations and an advocate for EcoCocon straw panels, Barbara continues to innovate how we think about sustainable building.

About the Live Build workshops + site

Between October and November, we will be running three live build workshops to explore how we can use straw, clay and lime in construction. View the workshops here.

These workshops welcome people of all building abilities – beginners, as well as experienced practitioners. You do not need any pre-requisite knowledge to join us – just a willingness to learn and get hands-on with materials.

Snacks and light refreshments will be provided for participants, but you will be required to bring your own lunch.

Please note: Springfield Allotment is a live construction site, with uneven ground that means it is not currently wheelchair accessible. There will be a range of jobs to get involved with during the workshop, and you can decide what's right for you. You will be on your feet and out in the elements for a lot of the day, but there will be plenty of time for breaks and rest when needed. We warmly encourage everyone to take the day at their own pace, whether that means joining in fully, or stepping back when needed. If you would like to speak to the WeCanMake team about what to expect, you can reach us at hello@wecanmake.org.

Sliding scale pricing

These workshops are part of our commitment to sharing skills and knowledge in a way that supports equity, sustainability and justice. We want to make our courses accessible to as many people as possible while also sustaining our work, and we will be offering tickets on a sliding scale with three rates:

• Standard – £50
• Solidarity – £75
• Concession – Free for local people who meet the criteria below

To be eligible for a free ticket, you must live in a BS4 or BS14 postcode, and meet one of the following criteria:

• From a Black, Asian or global majority background
• Disabled
• Without basic skills in English or Maths
• Lone parent
• Aged over 50 or under 25
• Not a cisgender man (including women, trans, genderqueer, and non - binary individuals).

Why might I pay a solidarity fee?

Consider paying this if you can check one or more of the following:

• You own property/the home you live in
• You have access to savings or inherited wealth
• You’re in a position to work part-time, or take time off by choice
• You have high earning potential (e.g. educated to degree level)

Your contribution helps someone else access the course who otherwise couldn’t.

We ask that you self-select which rate you pay. We do not need proof of any of the above, but please note that we have a very limited number of places (10 people).