BSBG Workshop – Hawkland – Intro to building with bales
June 7, 2018
The practical workshops are a massive part of the Big Straw Bale Gathering. A chance for you to learn the hands on skills necessary to build your own home, or brush up on some of the latest techniques.
Workshops are included in the ticket price, and will require signing up on the morning of the workshop (Don’t worry there will be plenty of sessions!).
First workshop up is:
Intro To Bale Building
From resizing a bale to notching a post. Build a complete wall, straighten and prep for plaster. Prefect Beginner session.
Workshop led by: Hawkland Ecological Building


Timber Framing for Straw Bale Construction with Chris Hawker and Ben Nother
📅 **25 March 2025**
📍 **Online Event**
Timber framing plays a crucial role in straw bale construction, influencing durability, efficiency, and design. In this session, Hawkland’s Chris Hawker and Ben Nother will share their expertise, using their latest build near Ross-on-Wye as a case study.
They will explore:
✔️ The specific approach they have taken to constructing the timber frame
✔️ How their designs have evolved over the years
✔️ The reasoning behind their current method
✔️ A broader discussion on timber-frame vs load-bearing straw bale construction
The session will conclude with a Q&A, offering the opportunity to gain insights from two of the UK’s leading practitioners in timber and straw construction.