|
|
 
Self build:
If you are planning a self
build project, there are some useful websites by owners who have
carried out their own self build projects.
There are also numerous interesting examples on the Channel 4
site Grand Designs, which has articles on all
the houses featured on the TV show. Clearly self build projects
are not something to be undertaken lightly and even the most
experienced person is likely to need help -consider the benefits
of joining a self build group to
pool skills and resources.
Another approach is to use
a system build solution, most commonly timber frame. Probably the most useful source
of information here is the Walter Segal Self Build Trust, who have been
pioneering the architect's self build solutions for many years,
and have a large number of successfully completed projects.
- HousePlanner Review: Self
Build and Renovation for Dummies, published by John Wiley
and Sons
- This book really does try
to cover all angles. Those already familiar with the 'dummies'
format will know what to expect -a comprehensive subject guide
interspersed with tips, warnings and background technical information.
Aimed at those starting out with limited knowledge, even experts
are bound to find useful information within the book's 370 pages.
- Subjects covered include the
planning process, raising finance, types of construction and
managing your project. As well as self build of new buildings,
the book also has sections on house renovation, alternative forms
of construction and eco homes. On the downside, all those words
leaves no room for pictures, which is a pity.
-
- Available through Amazon
or from the publishers, John
Wiley and Sons.
|
- Self Build and Renovation
for Dummies (Paperback)
by N. Walliman
- John Wiley and Sons Ltd
- Paperback 27 Oct 2006
- Price in UK pounds
|
BuildStore
launched
 The National Self Build and Renovation
Centre opened in Swindon in February 2007. The Centre is the
UK's biggest permanent self build and renovation exhibition and
has everything under one roof for homebuilders, with 67,000 square
feet of exhibition space, over 200 exhibitor partners, a Potton
show-house and a Renovation Zone. Follow this link to buy tickets
to the exhibition.
Self build Competition:
Worcester Bosch Self-build Competition 2010 Awards.
The Self-build category of
the Environment 2010 Awards seeks to encourage and reward energy-efficient
installations of Worcester Bosch products. Prizes include £1000
worth of holiday vouchers. The judges will be looking for projects
which are having the widest possible impact on the local environment.
You may be using your boiler in conjunction with a solar water
heating system or a ground source heat pump in order to provide
environmentally friendly energy for your home. Entry forms are available here.
Self build Information:
- Books -our suggested titles on self build.
- BIY -based in Cornwall, Build It Yourself
provides environmental self build training and advice.
- Building Plot
-Directory of UK land agents and how to buy land for sale. Information
for self build homes and choosing a building plot.
- Build It Forum
-useful discussion forum on all aspects of self build.
- Channel 4 Grand Designs -the TV series with presenter Kevin
McCloud following eight sets of people as they built their own
homes.
- Developing Skills
-self build courses in association with Homebuilding and Renovation
Magazine.
- Ebuild -online resource for self-builders,
with discussion and events forums.
- Forever Green
-run by architect Rob Hillier, an architect who specialises in
environmentally friendly building buildings and working with
community self build groups.
- Green building store -environmentally sensitive building products
from Environmental Construction Products Ltd of Meltham, Yorkshire.
- National Homebuilding and Renovating Show -register online for tickets.
- PlotSearch -the National Building Plot Register, is the
most comprehensive and up to date UK source of Self build opportunities.
- Self Build ABC
-comprehensive resource on self build houses offers details on
building plots for sale, purchasing land for sale through land
agents, planning and constructing a self build home.
- self-builder.com -self build finance and insurance,
plus useful message board.
- Selfbuildhome.org.uk -information about self-build homes, building
plots and plots of land for sale in the UK.
Self Build Groups:
Self Build Projects:
- Bob's Huf Haus
-blog account of the construction of a Huf Haus in East Sussex
by Bob, a retired civil engineer.
- Cloud
8 -Tom Perry's personal
account of the difficulties in building his innovative dream
house inBuckinghamshire.
- Curved
House -David and Anjana
Devoy's house in Clapham, as featured on Channel 4's grand designs.
- EcoHomeEu -sustainable self build house in South
West France.
- Eddystone Selfbuild -a personal account of self building.
- East Cambusmoon Farm -Steve and Deb's blog about their new low energy
house specified to AECB Silver standard, being built on a farm
in Scotland.
- Huf
Haus Blog -Ric Capucho's
account of building his Huf Haus in Switzerland.
- Lower Oak Barn Conversion -a blog account on the ups and downs of a self
build barn conversion near Wrexham.
- Moonstone
-John Croft and Leigh Grainger's Cotswold Ecohouse project.
- Oxlet
Self Build -account
of self build project in Herefordshire involving both a new,
externally insulated house, and conversion of a stone barn.
- Russell House
-Ross Russell and Sally Morris spectactularly colourful self
build house in Suffolk with its innovative sliding roof.
- The Big White House -the self build project built by Darron Coppin
and Tom Watkins at the Sussex coastal village of Pett Level and
featured on Chennel 4's Grand Designs.
- Threshing Barn
-Philip and Angela Traill's hi tech listed barn conversion featured
on Grand Designs.
- TreeHouseClapham
-the story of Will Anderson's eco house in Clapham, diarised
in the Independant from Sept 2004 to moving in on 1st March 2006
and subsequently published as "Diary of an Eco Builder".
- Undergound House
-low energy earth-sheltered house built in a disused quarry site
in the east of Cumbria and featured on grand Designs in 2003.
Timber Frame:
- See our timber frame page for timber frame self
build systems.
|
|