Talk with Build It’s eco-expert

At Build It Live visitors can book a one-to-one meeting with Build It’s eco-expert, Nigel Griffiths, a consultant working mainly on energy efficiency policy and evaluation. Nigel is also the author of the Haynes Eco House Manual and the director of the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance, a collaborative not-for-profit organisation, acting as a council for sustaining and improving traditional buildings in the UK. His focus is on high-quality research, education and policy development.

Nigel will be available through the weekend at all of our shows, to discuss all aspects of sustainability, from renewable energy to environmentally friendly building techniques. Bring your house plans, designs or ideas along and Nigel will share his wealth of knowledge with you.

Make sure you head to the Ask Our Experts lounge early to book your slot with Nigel as these sessions book up quickly!

Find out about our other industry experts here.

Centre for Alternative Technology Demo Zone*

In addition to the seminars, workshops and one-to-one consultations with eco-experts, at Build It Live Bicester you can see live demonstrations from the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT).

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is an educational visitors’ centre based in Central Wales. During the two day event the CAT mastercarpenter and course tutor, Carwyn Lloyd-Jones, will construct a timber-frame similar to the one pictured here in the Centre for Alternative Technology Demo Zone.

Carwyn will be building a section of a timber frame using the Walter Segal method: simple overlapping of timber using bolts to hold it together. It’s a straightforward technique to learn, making it ideal for first-time self builders.

This will involve:

• Laying out the timber to show the position and get the overall shape
• Marking out the joints and the position of the holes
• Cutting the joints
• Assembling the frame

CAT runs courses in self-build timber frame techniques and a wide range of other topics related to sustainable living, offering everything from day courses to postgraduate degrees.
Web: www.cat.org.uk
Twitter: @centre_alt_tech
Facebook: Centre for Alternative Technology