By Luke Warren
A day of inspiring talks for anyone interested in building their own home has been organised at the University of Brighton.
Green Architecture Day will highlight the benefits of self-build and custom-build housing, which organisers believe can provide an answer to the UK’s housing crisis.
Tony Wrench, who will speak at the event, designed and built his own off-grid roundhouse for £3,000.
Organisers Brighton Permaculture Trust think that these costs make self-building a sensible, sustainable choice for most people.
Brighton Permaculture Trust’s Caroline Schofield said: “With local authorities tasked with setting aside land solely for the purpose of self-builds, Green Architecture Day will illustrate how building your own home is an accessible option for the average person.”
The day will also be suitable for co-housing groups who want to create a community space.
Designers, practitioners and professionals will showcase cutting-edge building techniques.
Architect Duncan Baker-Brown will give an overview of the Waste House, the UK’s first low-energy prefabricated house made from eco-friendly materials, built in six days at the University of Brighton.
Bee Rowan will talk about the benefits of working with natural materials and explore how straw-bale buildings can provide low cost, carbon-neutral living spaces.
Another talk will focus on the growth of self-building in the 20th century, and there will also be a bookstall and a 50-minute film, about nine families who created the UK’s first planned eco-village in Wales.
Green Architecture Day is Saturday, April 27. Tickets are available at www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk and prices are based on a concessionary sliding scale.
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