Eco Workshop - Retrofit Eco Solutions - Saturday 27th November

Resident expert Dave Hilton will be accompanied by eco-consultant Tim Fenn

One of the most important eco issues that is relevant to a huge audience. what can be - practically and affordably - achieved in existing buildings to make them more energy efficient? Many of us live in homes which we love, but leave a lot to be desired in terms of energy efficiency; the experts at this Eco Workshop will explain the options available to those interested in retrofitting eco technologies into their homes.

The Experts

Dave Hilton Expert About Dave Hilton: David has completed various self builds in South Africa and renovations in the UK and has been involved in designing and installing Solar and heat pump systems since the early 1980s. On the technical side, he is Gassafe registered, an accredited installer of Ground Source and Air Source heat pumps and is currently undertaking an MSc Architecture: Advanced Energy and Environmental Studies.

He currently contributes to Grand Designs magazine and has also been published in BuildIt magazine. David frequently leads seminars, workshops and CPD lectures as well as eco and sustainability training on the self build courses at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon.

Tim Fenn Expert About Tim Fenn: Tim is a Director of various companies which include P3Eco Ltd, created to fund and facilitate eco developments throughout the UK; Oakwood Builders & Joinery Ltd, which undertakes eco-refurbishments; and ECO2H2O which focuses on the design and construction of high thermal mass, timber framed eco houses.

Tim was involved with the development of the UK's first manufactured PassivHaus-standard windows and doors and ECO2H2O also recently won the Sustainability Award at the Camden Building Quality Awards 2009 for the eco refurbishment of a Victorian Terrace house. In his role as Managing Director of Green Carbon Construction, a company formed to build new zero carbon homes and supply eco build projects, Tim has been responsible for building some of the first CSH Code 6 houses in the UK.

PLUS: The Green Team
Architect: Paul Richards, Architecture Verte
SAP Assessor: Sue Dewhirst; Evolved Design
Environmental Buildings Adviser: Ian Jones; Environmental Building Services

The Seminars

11.00-11.30	Eco Technologies: What's Available?	Dave Hilton
Dave Hilton will kick off the day with an overview of the various eco technologies available to you; focusing on the key topics to consider when assessing which one could work best for you, your lifestyle and your home.

12.00-12.30	New Tricks for Old Bricks - How to Green Your Existing Home	Tim Fenn
How to retrofit your existing home with eco technologies cost-effectively, by looking firstly at your thermal envelope and then taking into account which eco technologies to include and how best to combine them. This seminar is a must-see to ensure you avoid parting with unnecessary cash by installing eco technologies you may not really need.

13.00-13.30	Question Time	All Experts
This is your opportunity to quiz the experts and get answers to all those eco-related questions you have. All experts are entirely independent and will answer your questions as completely as possible.

14.00-14.30	What To Install & Where To Start	Tim Fenn
Tim gives a brief overview on the technologies you can install easily in an existing home, whilst pointing out tips along the way for saving you time and money.

Permanent Exhibits

The National Self Build & Renovation Centre has been built on a scale previously unseen in the UK. Here you can walk through exhibits that explain - in exploded detail - every step of the self build and renovation processes.

Trade Village

The permanent exhibition area containing over 200 exhibitor stands, covering everything you'll need to undertake your project.

Wolseley Building	New!
The Wolseley Building has four key zones; the Wolseley Theatre, a Bathstore Showroom, a Moores Kitchen Showroom and a builders merchant branch area where visitors can place orders! The house has numerous different products installed for visitors to see in situ; many of these are 'eco' products such as LED lighting, sun scoops, thermowood timber cladding, sheepswool insulation and others.

Educational Journey

A fully guided audio tour taking you round a fantastic selection of life-sized exhibits, featuring cutaways of groundworks, foundations, walls, roofs and more. If you're considering self building then don't miss this!

Renovation House	Improved!
Take a walk through the front doors of this full-size renovation project and see the house come to life before your eyes. The audio guide explains every step of the process to give you a deeper understanding of what a renovation project entails.

Potton Show House

Full of character and the latest technology, this show home is an inspiration to self builders, no matter what your tastes.

Outdoor Living Zone	New!
Everything you could need to finish off the exterior of your home, from hard landscaping to living roofs, to the Potton Zone Studios.

Design Centre

Browse through hundreds of designs and get ideas for your own home.

Finance Zone

Speak to our specially trained self build & renovation finance advisors to find the best way of funding your project.

PlotSearch

Search thousands of plots and renovation projects across the country, the first step to building your dream home!

TradeCard

Chat to our TradeCard advisors and learn how to save £1000s on materials.

Experts

A selection of experts are based in the Centre on a permanent basis to speak to you about your particular project and answer any questions you may have about self build, renovation, planning, design, project management and so on.