Build School - Level One
5 Day Course
More than 500 people have already taken our Build School Level One course, which spans five days and provides a comprehensive introduction to construction, taught through a combination of practical and theory-based sessions.
The course is designed for you to leave feeling equipped with the skills and confidence you will need to apply to any structure. Whether you’re planning a new build or some work on your current home, creating a tiny home, dreaming of renovating a stone cottage, want to improve your DIY skills and knowledge, or simply fancy the idea of learning alongside others for a week outdoors, this is the ideal introductory course for you.
All of the skills learned on-site will be relevant and transferable to your own individual projects. Our instructor team will be very happy to chat with you about approaching any project using the same skills taught on all Build School courses.
Instalment payments now available - select ‘Klarna’ as payment method when booking.
Want to gift this skill to someone? Vouchers available here
What does the course cover?
Each day starts with a wholesome breakfast followed by a theory session covering one of the fundamentals of construction below. After lunch, we get on-site for practical application of the morning’s learning.
What you’ll be learning :
Structures: Force distribution + foundations
Roofing: Materials + rainwater collection
Insulation: The what, why + how of insulation
Finishes: Cladding +waterproofing
Waste: Alternative water management systems
Energy: Harvesting energy + electricity basics
What’s included in the course fee?
Your course fee of €850 covers 5 days of tuition, the use of tools and materials to practice your skills on-site, a wholesome and nutritious breakfast and dinner created by our on-site chef, as well as tea, coffee and cake when it is most needed.
Staying at The Common Knowledge Centre
We now have a range of accommodation options on site to suit all budgets and needs. When you stay with us, you’ll be supporting our newly established guesthouse and be close to the action. You can view available accommodation on our booking page.
Additional Information
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We will provide you with a loan of a hi-visibility vest and safety helmet when on-site. For your own safety, no loose-fitting clothing or shorts are permitted.
The following safety gear is required and mandatory to participate in the course:
Steel-capped boots (If you don’t have or can borrow a pair, they are widely available in workwear shops including O’Sullivan Safety, where a pair starts at €43)
At least one carpenter’s pencil*
An 8M measuring tape*
Two sets of working gloves (waterproof & carpentry)*
Safety glasses*
Ear protection*
An FFP2 mask*
*These items are available in our optional Site & Safety Kit which is available to purchase as an add on to your course ticket.
You may already have many of these items or want to pick them up yourself. These items are available in our optional Site & Safety Kit which also includes a high quality measuring tape and comes in a Common Knowledge tote bag. This is available to purchase as an add on to your course ticket.
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Our Build School courses are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to start any building project. The hands-on practice of these skills in the past have included work on new buildings, home extensions, tiny homes and stone cottage renovations. Whatever project we work on in 2023, you will have the same hands-on experience.
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For more information about booking a course, accommodation options, and preparing for your course at Common Knowledge, see our FAQs page.
What do people say about this course?
“This course was one of those life changing events you only experience every once in a while. There was more than just building, it was a communal experience, sharing meals and wonderful, enriching conversation as well as skills”
— Past participant
“A profoundly interesting and rewarding course”
— Past participant
“I learnt more in one week than I might in months through traditional education. After the course I feel confident that my dream of self building is that bit more attainable.”
— Past participant
“It really de-mystified construction - highly recommended for anyone who has ever thought of putting a roof over their head.’’
— Past participant
Bookings
Course Instructors
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Cian Corcoran
Cian is a designer, maker and co-founder of Designgoat Studio. Most of his studio days are filled with designing interiors for private and commercial clients. His workshop days are spent designing and fabricating bespoke pieces to fit into said interiors. He grew up in a house that was always under construction and learned from his Dad at an early age how to both fix and cause problems. Cian is now passing on these skills to his own children in the renovation of their stone cottage in East Clare. He believes that confidence is the key to being able to learn and implement new skills, something he hopes to pass on to all Common Knowledge course participants.
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Harrison Gardner
Harrison is a builder with 15 years broad range experience, who focuses on teaching people to build their own homes.
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Nico Bigatti
Nico teaches carpentry and furniture making at Solas, a social enterprise that focuses on empowering young people to fulfill their personal potential.
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Feidhlim Harty
Féidhlim is an eco waste water systems specialist and consultant with over two decades of experience with designing and planting constructed wetland systems and reed bed treatment treatment systems. He is a writer and director of an environmental consultancy company, FH Wetland Systems, specialising in reed bed system design and other eco-friendly sewage options. He is author of a number of books such as, Towards ZeroWaste and Permaculture Guide to Reed Beds; a how-to manual for DIY Reed Beds and Constructed Wetland Systems and he brings all of his eco waste systems knowledge to the students of Build School.
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Elaine McFerran
A self proclaimed eternal student, Elaine has been making and fixing things since a young age. Many varied experiences studying and working in the worlds of woodwork, architecture, cooking and organic growing have taught her much about sustainability. Teaching DIY and building skills, both at Common Knowledge and elsewhere, Elaine has found a real purpose in empowering others to learn new skills.