The School of Natural Building secures 6.3 m euros grant funding to build with straw

New project is a significant milestone for sustainable building.

The School of Natural Building (SNaB) has been jointly awarded 6.3m euros to increase the uses of low carbon technologies in sectors with high energy saving potential.

By working with UK partners Hastings Borough Council & Groundwork South as well as European partners in France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, SNaB will help to reduce GHG emissions across North West Europe.

The project is called ‘Up Straw’ and the aim of the project is to showcase sustainable building projects with reduced carbon footprints. The UK will build the first building, a straw bale Visitors Centre in Hastings. It will be the first straw building in the Borough and will be a focus for new interpretation and events at the Country Park.

The project will continue to embed the concept of natural building in the UK by working with schools, colleges and universities and by hosting the European Strawbale gathering (ESBG) in the UK in 2019.

cuerden valley park
Visitors Centre designed by SNaB. Photo credit: Cuerden Valley Park

The partners submitted an initial expression of interest to Interreg North West Europe for the programme in February 2016.  Getting through the first round was a major achievement as the application was one of only 4 projects out of 79 applicants under the Low Carbon funding stream that were then invited to submit a further full application.

The Interreg North West Europe (NWE) Programme is a transnational European Territorial Cooperation Programme funded by the European Commission.  The programme mixes public bodies and Voluntary sector organisations and provides support to projects with a funding rate of 60%.  The grant is worth approximately 1m euros to the School of Natural Building, the UK’s lead organisation for straw bale building and training, Hastings Borough Council and Groundwork South together with sub partner Strawbale UK (SBUK)

Eileen Sutherland FRSA, one of the Directors of SNaB explained:

This project is a significant milestone on the road to sustainable building across NW Europe. By working with other European specialists, SNaB will deliver much needed workforce skills and curriculum innovation in the field of Natural Building. We’re very excited to have the opportunity to work with all our partners and can’t wait to get started and make a difference. However, we do need to raise some matching funding as the EU money is only 60% of the total cost of the project. SNaB is responsible for raising £188k over 4 years – any ideas/leads/help will be gratefully received.’

http://schoolofnaturalbuilding.co.uk/

About SNaB

The School of Natural Building (SNaB), a not-for-profit enterprise, was set up by Barbara Jones and Eileen Sutherland of Straw Works in 2014 to train people to a high standard in the use of natural materials. Straw Works and the SNaB are passionate about encouraging ordinary people, especially women, onto the building site. Natural Building is a tremendously empowering experience, and also a lot of fun!

The School does not have a physical location, although it is working towards taking over the Todmorden Community College. Currently it exists on building sites around the country run by Straw Works Construction, or by self-builders/community groups under the guidance of SNaB. It also inhabits rented venues for one day theoretical courses.

There are no terms or semesters, students can join at any time. During courses they have the opportunity to meet new people by training together with familiar faces who pop up on the same modules & courses. Each student has an individual learning contract (LC) which maps out their specific journey.

It is not necessary to join the School to take part in the modules and courses. The courses are open to everyone whether or not they want to follow the full training programme. If a student subsequently decides to take the full training, attendance on previous courses will be taken into account.

SNaB offers training in natural building for many reasons:

  • to teach the natural builders of the future,
  • to train architects, engineers, and building professionals who want to understand how these materials really work in order to design better buildings,
  • to train building inspectors so they know how to identify good practice
  • for anyone who has a general interest in the subject and wants to know more,
  • for anyone looking for a fun and active way to spend their time.

The training course is flexible and designed to fit around other life commitments.

SNaB operates an accreditation of prior learning system (APL) which enables previous experience to be taken into account.

About Straw Works

Straw Works is a sisterhood of organisations comprising Straw Works Design, Straw Works Construction, and the School of Natural Building. Straw Works is the UK’s leading design, build and training company using strawbales and other natural materials.

Based in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, they work all over the UK and Europe, and have created hundreds of beautiful and durable residential and commercial buildings. They have been involved in some capacity with more than 500 buildings ranging from tiny garden buildings to the UK’s largest straw bale building to date. People and organisations across Europe benefit from inhabiting these super-insulated, healthy and beautiful spaces.

They are currently involved in the first UK registered project for the Living Building Challenge, which was designed by them and is being built for the Cuerden Valley Park Trust, Bamber Bridge by their own volunteers with training and guidance from SNaB.

Some of the advantages of strawbale buildings are:

  • They are durable – with a life span of more than 200 years.
  • They are cost effective – a bale of straw costs about £3.50, stored till you need it and delivered to site. A typical 3 bedroomed house uses approximately 350 bales.
  • They are accessible – most people can learn how to build with straw under expert guidance and tuition. This aspect also leads to cost effectiveness as it is possible to keep labour costs down by self-building.
  • They create a healthy atmosphere in which to live – natural materials are not harmful to health, as they do not off-gas noxious chemicals or fumes. People say they are cosy, warm, comfortable and peaceful places to inhabit, and make you feel nurtured.
  • They are excellent for thermal efficiency, hardly need any heat at all, which adds considerably to comfort levels in the home and also saves on long term running costs. No other insulation material is as cost effective.

Straw Works/SNaB can offer services in one or all of the following areas:

  • Full architectural design, planning and building regulations
  • Consultancy on Strawbale projects
  • Training in Strawbale and natural building including clay and lime plastering
  • Design and Build

The Director of Straw Works, and the Principal of the SNaB, Barbara Jones has pioneered strawbale and natural building design through the UK Building regulations and has been honoured for her work with the following awards:

Green Champion, Halifax Courier Awards 2015

Lifetime Achievement Award, Women in Construction, 2011

Elected RSA Fellow 2009

Woman of Outstanding Achievement Award, UKRC, 2009

www.strawworks.co.uk         https://www.facebook.com/StrawWorksUK   @strawworks

www.schoolofnaturalbuilding.co.uk