learn the core skills of sustainable building – by creating a tiny home (for a dog!)
This five-day workshop introduces the essential techniques for building a high-performance, low-carbon home… but at a smaller, more manageable scale. Instead of tackling a full house, you’ll construct a “tiny home” for a dog (a kennel)*, applying the same principles used in real housing: framing, insulation, airtightness, weatherproofing, cladding, windows, roofing, and even simple electrics.
To keep the learning experience personal and hands-on, places are strictly limited to 12 participants.
hands-on experience…
Working in small groups, you’ll use hand tools such as drill-drivers, staplers and hammers to assemble the structure step by step. You’ll fit natural insulation, membranes and tapes, install a window, fix cladding and gutters, and wire up a safe 12V lighting system. For safety reasons, all cutting of sheet and large sections will be done for you.
No previous building experience is required.
what you’ll learn…
By the end of the course, you’ll have:
Gained basic joinery and construction skills
Worked with natural insulation and airtightness products
Installed cladding, gutters, and a window
Understood the principles of thermal performance, airtightness and moisture control
Explored embodied and operational carbon in buildings
Learned how to calculate U-values and assess condensation risks
Experienced the fundamentals of retrofit and modern methods of construction
format…
Each day combines a short classroom session in the morning with a practical build in the afternoon. Topics include:
Day 1: Why we need better homes + floor, wall & roof panels
Day 2: Thermal performance + insulation & membranes
Day 3: Embodied carbon + window & first-fix electrics
Day 4: Building systems + cladding, roofing & second-fix
Day 5: Retrofit + Q&As, course wrap-up & networking
We’ll meet from 9:30am for a 10:00am start, finishing at 4:00pm each day (with the option to stay on until 5:00pm if you want more time on the build). A buffet lunch is provided each day, along with tea and coffee.
practical details…
Dates & times: 9:30am arrival for 10:00am start, finishing 4:00pm (option to stay until 5:00pm).
Location: wudl, 101 North Western Street, Manchester, M12 6JL.
Food & drink: Buffet lunch provided each day, plus tea and coffee.
Clothing: While the course takes place indoors, please wear suitable clothing for practical activities. Eye protection and safety gloves will be provided.
Eligibility: Participants must be 18 or over.
Places: Limited to 12 participants.
For full details, download the Tiny House Workshop Information Pack (PDF).
price per person: £695
Please book below - if you have a questions, please telephone 0161 225 4000 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
* During the course we will be building a scaled-down tiny house… effectively a dog kennel. This smaller size makes it possible to complete in five days and avoids unnecessary waste, while still using the same components, techniques, and details as a real house. At the end of the workshop, the kennel will be donated to a local dog charity.