Directory of useful websites for sustainable self build and renovation. These links are not sponsored

Information centres and trade shows

  • National Self Build and Renovation Centre, Swindon – the only place of its kind in the UK, open year round: an information centre for self builders and home renovators. Houses permanent information and trade exhibits, independent advisors, and a full series of courses throughout the year. www.nsbrc.co.uk
  • Grand Designs Live (19-23 Oct 2016) – over 5 days, with >500 exhibitors, and full programme of seminars. www.granddesignslive.com
  • Ecobuild (7-9 March 2017) – massive annual trade show and programme of seminars, ‘the UK’s largest and number one event for specifiers across the built environment’. www.ecobuild.co.uk

Organisations

  • NaCSBA – National Custom & Self Build Association – www.nacsba.org.uk
  • AECB: The Association for Environment Conscious Building. www.aecb.net
  • CAT: the Centre for Alternative Technologies (Powys, Wales): an education and visitor centre demonstrating practical solutions for sustainability. Covers areas including environmental building, eco-sanitation, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. www.cat.org.uk

Useful Websites: Sustainability Blogs, self building information etc

  • Self Build Portal: interactive information source, endorsed by the Government. www.selfbuildportal.org.uk
  • Greenspec: a technical website edited by practising architects and specifiers, this is a resource that promotes sustainable building products, materials and construction techniques. www.greenspec.co.uk
  • BuildingGreen: US website aimed at designers. www.buildinggreen.com
  • Circular Ecology: Bristol Based sustainability consultants. Their free ICE Database (Inventory of Carbon and Energy) is a leading inventory of building materials and components, listing the embodied cradle-to-gate energy and carbon. www.circularecology.com
  • House Planning Help – blog created by Ben Adam-Smith, a self builder-in-the-planning, who is passionate about improving the quality of houses built in the UK. Includes a free online course to help finding a plot. www.houseplanninghelp.com
  • Green Britain Centre – information centre near Swaffham, Norfolk, focussing on sustainable energy, transport and food. The only place in the world where you can climb to the top of a modern wind turbine! www.greenbritaincentre.co.uk
  • Passive House+ – ‘the world’s first English language magazine focused on building and upgrading to the world’s leading low energy standard – passive house’. www.passivehouseplus.ie

Hempcrete

  • Hemp-Lime Spray: Norfolk-based hempcrete spray contractor
  • UK Hempcrete: hand-placed hempcrete contractor, and hempcrete training courses
  • Hawkland Ecological Construction – contractors for building and renovation projects using sustainable materials, such as hempcrete and load-bearing straw bale construction. www.hawkland.co.uk
  • Neighbourhood Construction: Bristol-based company focussing on research and training on breathable building techniques, often with hempcrete
  • Suffolk Hemp and Lime: natural building materials contractor
  • Hempcrete holiday cottage: if wishing to stay in a hempcrete building, one can rent Architect Rachel Bevan’s hempcrete cottage in County Down

Builders and Designers of sustainable homes

  • Ecomotive – an organisation that designs custom build homes, assists self builders through workshops, consultancy and project management, and provides technical services to promote the self and custom build sector: www.ecomotive.org

Building suppliers: materials, eco heating & ventilation systems, etc

  • Passivhaus Store – online store supplying specialist building products for ultra low energy homes: www.phstore.co.uk
  • Green Earth Hydro – designs and installs micro-hydro systems for domestic and commercial applications. www.greenearthhydro.co.uk