BUILDING WITH EARTH
September 15-17 2006

 Rammed Earth is an ancient technology, currently being used around the world in a variety of situations and applications. It’s a cliché, but the technology really is only limited by your imagination, and makes walls which have superb thermal mass, load bearing, fireproof and with impressive acoustic attenuation. They also look good, they are the colour of the surroundings they are from, and with minimal carbon dioxide emissions could be part of an answer to fast growing pollution from construction.
Friday September 15 2006
1600 Arrival. Please ask at reception or in the Restaurant for directions to your room
1800 Supper in the Restaurant
1900 Introduction to the Course and the Centre. What makes earth walls stand up? Including a discussion on soil suitability, moisture content, formwork and compaction; a look at 2 different buildings as examples of how to approach design, engineering, costing and regulation of new earth build in this country.
Saturday September 16
0830 Breakfast in Restaurant
0930 Understanding building structures. Soil selection and preparation. A comparison of imported material and material found on site
1100 Coffee
1130 Understanding building structures. Formwork construction looking at issues relating to openings and inserts as well as basic box technology.
1300 Lunch
1400 Practical session building some sections of wall, using different materials to vary colour and texture, inserts to give the walls openings and indentations. Different means of fixing to earth walls – battens, reveals and roof plates
1600 Tea
1630 Practical session continued.
1800 Supper
1900 Earth buildings in Britain and abroad. A chance to ask questions on the days build experience.
Sunday September 17
0830 Breakfast
0930 Practical session. Review Saturdays work including material constituents, colour blending, surface texture, surface finishing and weathering.
1100 Coffee
1130 Design and detailing..making sure you aren’t designing walls for another technology.
1300 Lunch and depart
COURSE TUTOR
Rowland Keable In Situ Rammed Earth Company was established in 1999 by Rowland Keable, who began building earth structures in 1985 in Sierra Leone and has extensive experience of working across Africa and Australia. After publishing 'Rammed Earth Structures: A Code of Practice' Rowland Keable worked towards its adoption as a standard in Zimbabwe whilst working there between 1995-98. Since returning to the UK in Situ have worked for a diversity of public and private clients including Eden, Channel 4 (Big Brother) and South Gloucester Council.
COURSE FEES
£300 - High waged £250 - Waged £160 - 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
TO RESERVE A PLACE
· Send a £50 non returnable deposit (cheque made payable to CAT Charity Ltd) to the Course Co-ordinator, 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
The course fee covers full board accommodation at CAT, tuition and course materials. 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
The balance of the course fee is due 4 weeks before the course. Approximately 6 weeks before the course you will receive an information pack and an invoice for the balance. If the balance is not paid when due, we reserve the right to offer the place to another.
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 would be sensible to wear 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 £32 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
Janet Jacobs, Course Co-ordinator (janet.jacobs@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 (www.cat.org.uk)