Several weeks ago the NSBRC re-opened their doors to self-builders for the first time since the COVID outbreak. The team has gone to great lengths to ensure both staff and visitor safety during these challenging times. The venue is currently open Tuesday to Sunday with a free help desk available Wednesday to Sunday.
Every summer the NSBRC organise a series of free or paid courses and workshops, delivered by some of the UK’s top experts. We are delighted to share with you the most recent courses which will be happening in the coming months.
WHY IS IT WORTH VISITING THE NSRBC?
The majority of visitors to the NSBRC have never set foot on a building site before. With this in mind, the visitor centre has created some brilliant, life-size educational zones, demonstrating every aspect of building a house in a way that is engaging and easy to understand.
From flooring to foundations, bricks & blocks to doors & windows; everything you can think of that goes into a house (and a whole lot more) is on display under their giant roof.
In the ‘Wall Zone’, you can compare a Timber Frame house to one constructed of Oak and another from ICF (Polystyrene building blocks filled with concrete) and understand the pros and cons of each system.
If you have paid a premium on a plot of land, you’ll want to maximise your living space, and the ‘Roof Zone’ shows how to use the roof space for more than just storing away a few suitcases and the Christmas tree!
Below, you can find a list of top courses and workshop that you can still grab this summer:
Eco Workshop: Heat & Energy
Date – 15 August
Price – FREE
Get the answers that the salesmen might not tell you on everything from heat pumps to solar panels; what’s new, what works and what are the practical issues that need to be considered when installing renewable technologies, including who does what and how it all connects together.
Book here
Kitchen & Bathroom Workshop
Date – 4 & 5 September
Price – FREE
Our Kitchen & Bathroom Workshop is the ideal event to attend – featuring some of the very best brands. With design masterclasses, live demonstrations, and 1:2:1 consultations with industry experts, attending this workshop will give you all the information you need to create the kitchen and bathroom you have always dreamed of.
The NSBRC Guide to Renovation Projects
Date – 11 September
Price – £165 per person
Our Renovation Course is delivered by NSBRC Helpdesk Expert, David Hilton. David is an authority in sustainable building and energy efficiency, with extensive knowledge in building fabrics and heating systems.
Book here
The NSBRC Guide to Heating Your Home
Date – 18 September
Price – £165 per person
This course has been designed specifically for Self Builders and Home Renovators and explores the latest options in heat and energy sources, both renewable and conventional systems.
Book here
Ask an Architect
Date – 19 September
Price – Free
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is offering attendees a free personal consultation with an architect to discuss ideas for designing and building their own home or renovating or reconfiguring their existing home in a strictly no-obligation 25-minute meeting. They will be able to book your slot with our expert too!
Book here
The Self Build Course
Date – 26-28 September
Price – £395 per person
Before you build your home, build your knowledge!
Covering 11 topics in total the informal workshops make use of the superb practical exhibits available in the Centre to provide attendees with a level of knowledge which guarantees their projects will go smoothly.
Book here
ACA AT THE NATIONAL SELF BUILD AND RENOVATION CENTRE
We started working with the National Self Build & Renovation Centre last year and are in the process of finalising our ambitious plans. ACA are now able to meet with current & potential clients in our new space at the NSBRC in Swindon.
Visitors can find out how they will benefit from both our free and paid services at our stand located in the Professional Services Hub. ACA are regularly involved in a variety of events hosted at the centre, helping self-builders build their dream home. We look forward to attending all of the National Self Build & Renovation Shows in the coming years.
So if you are at the beginning of your Self Build journey and really want to move towards your goal of having a lovely home in a garden you can catch some sun next summer, taking advantage of both free and paid workshops and courses should be on the top of your priority list.
THE NSBRC’s COVID-19 GUIDELINES
At the National Self Build and Renovation Centre, we offer inspiration, information & impartial advice to people undertaking a Self Build, Renovation or Home Improvement project. Our visitors can freely walk around our 67,000ft2 Visitor Centre, viewing products first-hand, requesting contact from our exhibitor’s displays and speaking to our Homebuilding experts at our free Helpdesk.
This practical guide outlines the robust, monitored measures the NSBRC are taking to help safeguard our visitors, exhibitors and team of employee-owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures outlined in this guide are effective immediately until further notice.
Our measures and procedures are under constant review and updated according to the latest Government guidelines.
