Thatching a Round House at Winkleigh Primary School

Jason has been keeping his weekends and evenings busy helping to thatch the new round house at Winkleigh Primary school. The round house timber structure has been up for a while but the school was struggling to source funds to pay for the roof. Local master thatcher Rob Wilmot of Devon Thatching (http://www.devonthatching.com) then kindly stepped giving up his free time to kindly show us all how to go about it which ended up being a crash course in thatching.  There was quite a bit of work to do so its not finished yet, so watch this space for the finished job, we think the kids are going to love it.  Also thanks to Tristan Johnson for supplying the thatch.  

G&S have a history with the school as we designed the classroom for the future there which stands to the rear of the school. The classroom was designed to be as sustainable as possible.   As with the thatch round house all materials used were natural based with sustainably sourced oak cladding and oak framed triple glazing, insulation was made of word fibre and internal materials were natural woods.    We like to take the lessons from yesteryear where buildings were made with natural materials and use them in a contemporary manner.  Having a good understanding of how buildings were made with cob, timber, thatch, and straw has enabled us to use these materials and methods with our contemporary designs.   The classroom was also designed along building biology principles (see our Building Biology page for further details) with emphasis on natural and passive ventilation, energy efficiency, maximising daylight levels, and the use of natural materials to reduce the build up of toxins and chemicals in the school classroom.  The last item being particular important for growing children. 

We think the new round house when finished will sit rather nicely against our classroom for the future. 

Gale & Snowden presenting at #AECB2014 conference Bristol 11-12 July #BuildingBiology #ecodesign

David and Tomas are presenting an Introduction to Building Biology UK and the new online course from the Institute for Building Biology and Ecology (IBN) in Germany, at the AECB Annual Conference in Bristol 11-12 July 2014.

Bau biology (or Building biology) is the study of the holistic interrelationships between humans and their (build) living environment.  Today, our living environment is defined by the spaces and buildings we have created for ourselves.  Most of us take great care when it comes to what we eat, where our food comes from, what we give to our children, how we keep fit etc., but when it comes to construction unfortunately the focus is only very rarely on the human being, their health or well being.  Very often the focus is predominantly cost driven and economic viability, low maintenance costs and short payback periods are typically the key drivers for developments.  On average we spend about 90% of our time indoors and 30% of our time in bedrooms.  With these exposure times even low concentrations of potentially harmful substances can affect our health in the long term and cause chronic diseases.  More vulnerable inhabitants like children and elderly persons are particularly exposed to this risk.  Bau biology is about managing this risk. 

Gale & Snowden has become the first Building Biology Consultancy in the UK to be officially accredited by the Institute for Building Biology and Ecology (IBN) in Germany.  The IBN was founded in 1976 to provide objective information and to offer a holistic approach to building biology and its teaching and to promote a healthy, ecologically and socially responsible living environment.

This seminar will provide an introduction to the background, key concepts, testing standards of Building Biology and key organisations involved to help orientate those that are not familiar with the concept.

We will then proceed to discuss how the Building Biology movement is being developed as a not-for-profit organisation in the UK which will be affiliated to the Building Biology movements in both the rest of Europe and the USA.

We will be able to explain the exciting development of the new on-line UK Building Biology course, translated from the latest course material from the Institute for Building Biology and Ecology (IBN), in Germany.  Start for this course is planned for autumn 2014.

An ongoing series of Building Biology related seminars are being planned in the UK in support of the on-line Building Biology course which can lead to qualification as a certified Building Biology consultant, accredited by the IBN.

This seminar is the start of a permanent presence for Building Biology Ecology in the UK and it is a call to members to join at the outset.

David introduced Building Biology at last year's AECB conference and, with Tomas, will be expanding on this exciting subject.  David's earlier presentation can be found here.

Gale & Snowden Architects is an award winning RIBA Chartered Practice that focuses on Regenerative Design based on Permaculture Principles.  The practice integrates ecology, building physics, building biology, architecture and landscape design in a desire to create healthy uplifting environments that are life enhancing.  The Practice has been a long term member of the AECB since inception, dedicating their work exclusively to ecological and healthy design for over 20 years, working throughout the UK.

Since 1992 the practice’s team of architects, mechanical engineers, Passivhaus designers, landscape architects, permaculture designers and planners has specialised exclusively in integrated, ecological and sustainable design and planning. 

David Gale’s background is in Biology and he is an Architect and founding Director at Gale & Snowden Architects.

Tomas trained and worked as an Architect in Germany prior to moving to the UK in 2007 when he joined Gale & Snowden Architects and Mechanical Engineers.  Tomas is a Director at Gale & Snowden and a chartered member of the RIBA and ARB.   He is a licensed Code for Sustainable Homes Assessor (BRE), Certified Passivhaus Designer CEPH and certified Building Biologist IBN.