Car Tyre Foundations

From waste to low-impact foundations! 

* These are preliminary dates - tickets will be released when the dates are confirmed, in the meantime please sign up to the waitlist! *

The phrase ‘many hands make light work’ was never more true than for car tyre foundations. Not only is this a wonderful, low-impact and cement-free way to make foundations, it is a sociable and collaborative process. This course will cover the practical aspects of transforming this waste product, including:

• How to set out the site, using datums
• How to choose the right car tyres
• Laying, filling, stacking and ramming tyres
• How to make the stacks level, and much more!

You should be prepared for outdoor physical activity that may be strenuous at times.

We pride ourselves on creating inclusive and welcoming build sites, open to all! Our courses welcome folk of all building abilities, whether you're a total beginner or an experienced craftsperson.

What's included? Our courses include tuition, all materials, tools and equipment, and daily refreshments (bring your own packed lunch).


About this project:
This is a collaborative project by two siblings and their partners, to build a semi-detached house. The house will be a two storey timber frame straw bale building, with rammed car tyre foundations, lime & clay plaster and metal roofing.  The site is beside a hardwood sawmill on the edge of Inziervar Woods. 


About the Trainer: Barbara Jones
Barbara is the founder of SNaB (@schoolofnaturalbuilding), and the UK’s preeminent straw-bale building authority. She has decades of experience in natural building including straw, clay, lime and cement-free foundations and works as a designer, builder and trainer. Her book, Building with Straw Bales; A Practical Manual for Self-Builders and Architects' is considered the essential guide to building with straw, and together with Eileen and others, wrote the Technical Guide to straw Construction in the UK. She is a Fellow of the RSA and has a Lifetime Achievement award, a Woman of Outstanding Achievement award, and was voted the most inspirational woman builder by the CIOB. She is a founder member of Tod College, a community owned and run learning hub, and host to many of SNaB’s activities. Barbara thinks she has the best job in the world!


Booking:
We aim to keep our courses accessible and offer a limited number of subsidised places for those truly unable to afford the standard rate. We trust participants to use their judgement when selecting this option. Places are limited and we encourage early booking via the button below.

£240 – Solidarity / income over £30k

£180 – Standard

£90 – Subsidised   

See full Terms and Conditions here. Please note that for insurance reasons, all participants must be 16 or over.

Access: We welcome participants of all physical abilities and neurodiverse backgrounds, and aim to make our courses as accessible and inclusive as possible. As course sites and learning environments vary, we encourage anyone with specific access needs or requirements to get in touch so we can discuss how best to support your participation.

Accommodation: 
Participants are responsible for organising their accommodation, host contact details will be shared where necessary on booking. 

Camping (outside) -  is available at the site (no showers) 
Camping (inside) - floor space is available inside the sawmill building (no running water)
Inzievar Chalets - is a 5 minute walk
Adamson Hotel (Crossford) - is a short car drive


Transport:
The School of Natural Building recognises the urgency of the climate crisis, and our work supports a low-carbon future rooted in closer connection with the earth, our ecosystems and each other. We encourage participants to travel by public or shared transport where possible. Before the course, we’ll connect participants via WhatsApp to help coordinate ride-sharing and accommodation.

The School of Natural Building is a not-for-profit BenCom established for community benefit and receives no regular funding. We price our courses as fairly as possible to support accessibility and representation in the building industry. For course questions and enquiries please contact us on hello@schoolofnaturalbuilding.co.uk