The School of Natural Building runs courses for students of built environment disciplines across architecture, engineering, planning, landscape and more. We provide students with a hands-on learning experience in sustainable construction, working with methods such as cement-free foundations, straw bale building, natural fibre insulation, retrofit, carpentry, and clay and lime plastering.
Flexible Training Formats
We now offer a range of delivery options to suit different cohort sizes and curriculum needs:
- Residential programmes at Tod College, West Yorkshire
2–5 days of immersive learning, using fully equipped workshop facilities. Students construct with natural materials alongside our trainers, and we can manage accommodation and transport for groups of up to 80. - On-campus programmes at your institution
We bring our trainers to you. Our mix of theory and practical sessions can be delivered in your facilities, whether that’s a classroom, lecture theatre, or a covered workshop space. - Training formats for any group size
From small cohorts of 15 students building straw bale rigs, to large groups of 80 constructing a 4x4m straw bale structure from foundations to plastering, we can tailor the scale and content of the training. Shorter classroom-based sessions and introductory lectures are also available.
Why Natural Building?
Research increasingly highlights the negative impact of poor-quality housing on health and wellbeing. Natural materials improve indoor air quality, enhance comfort, and support positive health outcomes. They also provide a powerful response to the climate and ecological crisis: natural materials can be reused, recycled, or composted, and designing for deconstruction reduces waste and closes the loop on the circular economy.
Many students currently leave university without ever handling sustainable materials. Our courses change that. They introduce students to natural building in a fun, dynamic, and collaborative environment—helping them develop practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and confidence in working with natural materials. Students leave better equipped for employment and ready to bring innovative, low-carbon practices into the construction industry.
Get in Touch
We have already delivered courses for the University of Liverpool, Nottingham Trent, the University of Sheffield, and the London School of Architecture. If you’d like to discuss a programme for your students, please email us at hello@schoolofnaturalbuilding.co.uk.
Barbara Jones and her team are passionate about sharing theoretical knowledge as much as practical experience.”
Psst… We can also train tutors
We know it’s not just students who need this knowledge. Until recently, natural materials and methods were largely absent from higher education curricula—and even from mainstream professional practice. To equip lecturers with robust, verified understanding, we offer bespoke training for university staff. From hands-on workshops to theory-based sessions, we can help your faculty and fellow tutors confidently teach the principles and practice of natural building. Get in touch!