Tiny House Building

From Friday 11th September, The Earthship in Stanmer Park will be the base for a three-day intensive course dedicated to Tiny House Building. This workshop is a joint effort between the Brighton Permaculture Trust and the Low Carbon Trust, running from Friday through to Sunday. The sessions are designed to be hands-on, moving away from just theory to focus on the actual skills needed to design and put together a small-scale home. Whether the goal is a mobile unit or a fixed structure, the course uses the unique setting of the Earthship on Lewes Road to demonstrate how these principles work in a real-world, sustainable context.

The programme is led by Ian Brown and Mischa Hewitt, who bring a lot of practical experience to the table. Over the three days, the schedule covers the core components of building, such as timber framing, cladding, and roofing. It isn't just about the exterior, though; there is significant time spent on the internal systems that make a tiny house functional. This includes an introduction to basic plumbing and electrical work, alongside the use of sustainable materials and renewable energy sources. They also look at the design side, specifically how to manage limited space through smart storage solutions, which is often the most challenging part of living in a smaller footprint.

In terms of who can attend, the course is open to anyone aged 16 and over. It tends to attract a varied group, from people who have never picked up a tool to those with a background in eco-construction looking to specialise. The days are full, starting at 09:00 and finishing at 17:00 each afternoon. The pricing is structured to reflect different income levels, which is a standard approach for the Trust’s events. It is set at £340 for organisations or those with an income over £25k, £285 for those earning between £18k and £25k, and £230 for incomes under £18k. There is also a concessionary rate of £175 for those who qualify, ensuring the information is available to a wider range of people regardless of their budget.