How can attending the workshop help build your confidence in choosing the right system?
Everything in one place
You'll have access to various structural systems providers throughout a full day of seminars and talks. After a brief look at the many options available across the UK today, you can take a deeper dive into ICF, timber frame, masonry, Passivhaus, as well as ecological construction methods. Experts are also on hand to talk about designing for specific systems and the design considerations to be aware of when integrating renewable technologies.
Learning journey
With hundreds of suppliers under one roof, the Centre is an excellent one-stop shop for self-builders at every journey stage. Self builders starting on a project can face a steep learning curve and the workshop's 'New Build Educational Journey' offers a guided tour through six life-sized exhibits demonstrating a self-build project's main phases. It's a chance to discover more about groundworks, foundations and floors, walls and structures, external options, roofing, and more. Places are limited, so please sign up early on arrival!
The people behind the companies
Designing, specifying, constructing, and building the structure of your home takes time. You will need to collaborate with your chosen supplier at multiple points. They will require information from you, and you will undoubtedly have many questions. Feeling comfortable that you can work with a company is an integral part of the decision-making process. The workshop offers the chance to meet some of the people behind the companies face to face, which will help provide an early steer on which companies to engage with further.
Edge closer to a decision
The workshop introduces the different build systems; for some attendees, it will clarify the advantages of one method over another. For others, the information on hand may help cement their final decision. Ultimately the NSBRC Building Systems Workshop is the perfect opportunity to start honing your question list for potential suppliers to uncover which build system is right for you.
Question time
You'll have the opportunity to put forward your questions to a panel of experts from various build system companies. If you want to compare the pros and cons of different construction methods, you can ask your key questions, hear them discussed and debated, and compare the answers.
We will cover key issues such as:
- The different building systems available in the UK
- Pros & cons of each option
- Performance factors – Air tightness and energy efficiency
- Cost implications
- Time on site required
- Impact on gaining finance and planning consent
- Site access implications
Other workshop highlights include:
- ‘Battle of the building systems’ Panel discussions
- Exhibitor Presentations with the opportunity to ask our experts questions
- Tours of the ‘Wall Zone’ in our new build educational area
- A selection of exhibitors offering '1:2:1' appointments
This workshop will be held as a live event at The National Self Build & Renovation Centre. Doors open from 09:00 - 17:30.
I have just visited the NSBRC for the first time for a free Building Systems workshop. Fantastic facility and amazing staff. Great displays and suppliers stands. Well worth the trip, wish I had gone to visit sooner, now planning return trips and courses.
Nigel ★★★★★
I attended the Building Systems workshop yesterday at the Centre, my first ever visit. What an amazing place! I really can’t fault this whole set-up and experience. Great for me considering my first self-build. The briefing sessions were better than I had hoped for. Although given by representatives of various companies their breadth of knowledge and willingness to describe the wider picture for each option without just focusing on their own product was much appreciated. The site itself is vast! So much bigger than you might think - it took a couple of hours to wonder around. Thanks to all the staff and Exhibitors.
Robin ★★★★★
My husband and I attended the 2-day "Building Systems Workshop" at the National Self-Build & Renovating Centre. Before the workshop, we thought that we knew most of the answers as to the building systems (SIPS, ICF, timber frame, thin joint etc), financing and planning permission strategies that we would use. After the workshop we had completely different and much better strategies!! This is a good thing!! Many of the delegates didn't attend the finance and planning permission sessions. This is a great shame as these are critical topics and both sessions provided very valuable information. We can thoroughly recommend this workshop.
Centre Visitor ★★★★★
