TIMBER FRAME SELF BUILD
October 8- 12 2007
Using the expertise of Self-Build Architects and others who have built timber frame homes, Participants are guided in theoretical and practical sessions through the basic principles.
A small building will be constructed during the week. Classroom sessions will cover ecological building methods, design for low energy sustainable housing and appropriate services for low energy buildings.

Monday October 8 2007
1500 onwards - arrival. Ask at Reception or in the Restaurant for directions to your room.
1600 Tour of CAT and outline of the development of our design philosophy and materials use
1800 Supper
1900 Introductions and description of the programme for the rest of the week

Tuesday October 9
0830 Breakfast
0900 The main ideas behind the Segal Method of post and beam timber frame and its recent adaptations in line with ecological building practice.
1100 Coffee
1130 Practical sessions for the rest of the day. The practical sessions will cover making the frames, which is the basic principle of this method, erecting the frames, wall infil, windows, doors, flooring and roofing.
1300 Lunch 1630 Tea
1800 Supper

Wednesday October 10
0830 Breakfast
0900 Ecological building materials - exploring the impacts and how to minimise them
1100 Coffee
1130 Practical sessions for the rest of the day
1300 Lunch 1630 Tea 1800 Supper
1900 'Getting Organised '

Thursday October 11
0830 Breakfast
0900 Design for low energy sustainable homes. Passive solar, climate responsive, user friendly buildings.
1100 Practical sessions for the rest of the day.
1300 Lunch 1630 Tea 1800 Supper
1900 'Building our House '

Friday October 12
0830 Breakfast
0900 Appropriate services for low energy buildings. How they fit in to the self build approach.
1100 Coffee
1115 Completing the building
1300 Lunch and depart.

COURSE FEES
£595 - High waged £460 - Waged £275 - Non waged
As a Charity we have to charge a realistic rate for our courses, but we do not want to exclude people because of cost. We have therefore designed a tiered price structure. Please assess yourself as to which rate to pay and indicate on the booking form when you send your deposit. If we do not have this information you will be automatically be invoiced for the high waged rate

COURSE TUTORS
Duncan Roberts Architect, Self Build Trust
Geoff Stowe Self Build Trust
Pat Borer Architect
Trish Andrews Environmental Building Consultant CAT
Katie Brown CAT engineer

TO RESERVE A PLACE

  • Send a £100 non returnable deposit (cheque made payable to CAT Charity Ltd) to the Course Administrator, CAT, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 9AZ
  • Ring with your credit card details 01654 70 5981
  • Book online on the courses section of our website www.cat.org.uk
Food is vegetarian. We are usually able to cater for health related special diets with advanced warning. We have a 'no smoking' policy in buildings. There are a small number of single rooms available at an extra cost of £10 per night. Please indicate when you book if you would like a single room.

PAYMENT OF BALANCE
Before the course you will receive an information pack and an invoice for the balance.

CANCELLATION FEES
We regret that except in cases of illness supported by a doctor's note, we will make the following cancellation charges.

  • More than 6 weeks before the course - half the fee is forfeit
  • Less than 4 weeks before the course the full fee is forfeit
CAT reserves the right to cancel any courses. Should this be necessary, deposits and fees will be returned in full. CAT also reserves the right to modify the published programme.

JOSH BROWN BURSARY FUND
We have a Bursary Fund for people from 'less developed' countries. Details are available on our web site.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
The wearing of Personal Protective Equipment is obligatory. You will need to provide overalls and it is compulsory to wear steel toecapped boots. CAT will provide other PPE.

ACCOMMODATION FOR NON PARTICIPANTS
Depending on course numbers it is sometimes possible to accommodate friends / family. The cost for a non-participant is £38 per day. Please contact the Course Co-ordinator about availability. We are unable to offer crèche facilities.

DIRECTIONS
CAT is 3 miles north of Machynlleth on the A487 and is clearly sign posted. To arrive by train you need to come via Shrewsbury to Machynlleth. You can walk to CAT from the station (about 45 minutes) or take a taxi. A single journey costs about £4-50. There are infrequent buses. CAT is registered on www.liftshare.com as a public group. If you require or can offer a lift, please check the website.

WHAT TO BRING
We provide bedding but you will need to bring a towel. A torch is useful for moving between buildings at night. It is also advisable to bring wet weather gear and strong footwear as we are based in an old slate quarry.

COURSE OFFICE (courses@cat.org.uk) 01654 705981
Bryony Benfield, Course Administrator. (courses@cat.org.uk)
John Kearney, Technical Course Co-ordinator (john.kearney@cat.org.uk)
Joan Randle Course Director (joan.randle@cat.org.uk)
Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 9AZ