theHousePlanner.co.uk

Eco homes, self build, and renovation ..... from renewable energy sources to sustainable architecture.

theHousePlanner.co.uk
ecohomes + self build library
 

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About this site:

If you are planning a self build project, or simply renovating your existing house, maybe we can provide the information you need on line. We have hand-selected the best sources of information on self build and eco homes.
Our information is largely but not solely UK based, and there is huge amount of material here, so why not add us to your favorites now, so that you can return later.
More about us.
 
Founded in 2002, theHousePlanner has since passed one and a half million total visitors to this site, and continues to go from strength to strength.

Site of the month:

 
December 2011: Assington Mill -offers short one to three-day courses in Suffolk on rural and traditional crafts from breadmaking to strawbale construction. They provide a welcoming setting where people can enjoy learning new skills, and have a great day out with like-minded people. The mill is set on a small 70-acre organic farm in one of Suffolk's beautiful secret valleys. Food is home-made and locally-sourced, much of it grown in the kitchen garden.

More interesting courses.

Past featured sites of the month -every month we select and feature a website of particular value.


Off grid riverside retreat for sale

Located near Ombersley, Worcestershire, a beautiful, secluded potential eco home or off-grid holiday let on the banks of the River Severn. Surrounded by trees and meadows, and overlooking the river this could be a very peaceful rural weekend retreat -read more.....


Loving your Sash Windows

Paul Burnett of TheSashWindowMan explains why it may be both cheaper and more sustainable to have your sash windows restored by a professional than replace them -read more.....


Selecting a Staircase Design

Building a home from scratch involves a great many different features all coming together. Ben Winton of Complete Stair Systems offers some tips -read more.....


locks
Featured DVD
 
Grand Designs -Series 4 Complete
featuring Kevin McCloud.
Includes episodes on
  • The Violin Factory, Waterloo - Louise and Milko
  • German Kit House, Surrey -David and Greta Iredale
  • Revisited: The Inverted-Roof House, Bucks
  • 19th-Century Sandstone House, Edinburgh -Reuben and April
  • Curved House, Clapham -David and Anjana
  • Modernist Sugar Cube, Sussex -Tom and Darren
  • The Oak-Framed House, Argyll
  • An Idiosyncratic Home, Dorset -Lizzie and Mike
Buy the DVD.....

Forthcoming Events:

11th October 2011 -Bremner Suite, Leeds United FC, Elland Road, Leeds
Encon Insulation's House Builders Seminar
Fabric First -a selection of talks from leading manufacturers and industry experts on SAP calculations, air-tightness testing, the Zero Carbon Hub, Part L and Part E solutions for the home, internal/external finishes, environmental issues, flooring systems, acoustic solutions for new build and refurbishment and vapour control membranes.

24th and 25th Oct 2011 -Barbican, London
UK Passivhaus Conference 2011
A two day conference on the Passivhaus standard organised by the Passivhaus Trust and the BRE, with case studies and projects in the UK. The conference will focus on themes such retrofit, local economic added-value, residential and non-residential buildings and occupant comfort/measured performance.

16th-20th November -Earl's Court London
Ideal Home Show at Christmas
Using the same format as previous events in London and Scotland, with Ideal Home Improvements, Food, Interiors and Woman sections, also featuring a seasonal twist with more gadgets, shopping and gifts for the family, in time for Christmas.

See our calendar page for or other self build and home improvement events.


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Courses and Conferences:


11th October 2011 -Islington, London
Introduction to Low Carbon Technologies -The Green Register
With a focus very much on explaining the pros and cons of today's popular technologies this course aims to give a good grounding in how and where different technologies work best, covering heating system design, including solar thermal, and wood pellet and wood chip boilers and technologies such as CHP, fuel cells, photovoltaics and wind turbines.

Mon 24th Oct - Fri 28th Oct, 2011
-CATT Machynlleth
Timber Frame Self Build (5 days)
CPD button A series of frames will be made and erected in the practical sessions, and classroom sessions will cover the timber frame method, ecological building methods, design for low energy sustainable housing and appropriate services for low energy buildings.

24-28 October 2011 Berlin
Solar Electricity Installation Course - Off-grid Applications
This five-day intensive course on the design and installation stand-alone / off-grid solar electric systems (not grid-connected) is run by RENAC, the Renewables Academy in Berlin. The course is ideal for anyone who wants to install their own solar electric system, start a solar business or seek employment in the solar industry. The course will include numerous practical sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to develop their own projects. The course is aimed at an international audience and will be in English.

Course 1: Friday 21 - Sunday 23 October 2011 -Stanmer Park, Brighton
Course 2: Friday 11 - Sunday 13 November 2011 -Stanmer Park, Brighton
Self-building an earthship
A three-day course by Brighton Permaculture run in partnership with Low Carbon Trust and in association with RESET. This course is for anyone thinking about building their own home and anyone interested in learning about Earthships. Includes practical workshops.
 
See our page on courses for other training events.

Manufacturers

Feature your product on the HousePlanner. We have had more than one and a half million visits from our readers since we first went online in 2002. You can let them know more about your products by placing your banner on this site -find out more here.


Resources:
 
Construction Resources:
Design and construction information. Covers topics such as self build, renovation, finding an architect specialising in sustainability, building and planning regulations, finishes, components and building materials
 
Sustainability & Green Issues:
General information on environmental issues and green design -covers energy use (solar and wind power, chp systems), recycling and re-use, green materials, construction with earth, straw and timber, insulation and eco homes.
 
Gardens and Garden Design:
Resources on sustainable garden design, plus water reuse using wetlands, composting of waste, organic produce, planting for biodiversity and garden materials.
 
Property Resources:
Buying, selling and renting property in the UK; where to find green mortgages, estate agents, surveyors and legal advice; ethical investment, insurance and other useful information related to the UK housing market.
 
General Information:
General information about us, how to get in contact, privacy policy and our site of the month feature with the best sites on the web.

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Featured Suppliers

At Wickes, we provide a wide range of practical, versatile and classic laminate flooring to enhance your home.


For all kinds of nursery furniture visit Argos
 
 

Featured books:

The Housebuilder's Bible: An Insider's Guide to the Construction Jungle, 8th Edition
Mark Brinkley
This definitive guide offers information, advice and costings from an experienced builder -ideal companion for any self builder
Paperback - Ovolo Publishing Ltd
Price in UK pounds
Price in US dollars

Architecture Now: Green Architecture
Philip Jodidio
Vinyl Bound
April 2009
Price in UK pounds
Price in US dollars

Natural Flair (Eco Architecture)
Taschen Publishing Paperback
Oct 2008
Price in UK pounds
Price in US dollars

"Grand Designs" Handbook: The Blueprint for Building Your Dream Home
Kevin McCloud
More than just the book of the series, this is a complete guide to building your own home.
Hardcover
Mar 2009
Price in UK pounds
Price in US dollars

Ecohouse
Sue Roaf
Paperback
Jul 2007
Price in UK pounds
Price in US dollars

home plans
The New Home Plans Book
Murray Armor, David Snell
No substitute for an architect, but with more than 330 sample plans this book will help you decide on your dream home.
Ebury Press
price in UK pounds

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