Why demystifying the Construction Process is good for everyone.
Harrison and students in the planning process
Imagine waking up one day and deciding you want to build something with your own hands - a shed, an extension to your house, or maybe even a home from scratch. You feel that spark of excitement, but you don’t know where to start. That’s where Build School - Level One at Common Knowledge comes in. It’s not just a workshop; it’s an invitation to step into a world that might have seemed intimidating or out of reach before. This week we talked to Common Knowledge co-founder, Harrison Gardner about demystifying the construction process and why it's important for all of us to learn more about the buildings we live in.
Hi Harrison, why don’t we start with you telling us a little about yourself?
I’m a Builder, Teacher, Author and TV presenter. Through all of those things I’m doing whatever I can to help people find the skills and the confidence they need to start tackling some of the challenges they might be facing. I’ve built structures all over the world for various different organisations and companies and the principals are the same everywhere. That’s why I created the Build School Programme. Rather than encouraging any one specific way of building, I saw that we needed to step back even further and just get tools in peoples hands again, to really build that confidence.
Construction underway at Build School - Level One
Build School is the original course of Common Knowledge, can you tell us a bit about why you started it all with this one?
Build School is all about demystifying the construction process. I think of it as pulling back the curtain on something that has been lost in many cultures in recent generations. The knowledge of how to build a shelter, how to understand the bones of a building, was always passed down from one person to the next, but somewhere along the way, as our lives became more complicated, that knowledge became specialised and maybe we only knew part of the story or it became something only the professionals knew, but I don’t believe this work is just for architects or builders - it’s something that’s for everyone, no matter what you’re planning on doing round your home.
“If there is something holding you back from having a go at your home renovations, new builds, or even just trying to fix something that you’re just not sure how to do, take this course. The confidence and knowledge instilled from this class takes the fear right out of taking those first steps and making the changes you want.”
What can folks expect to gain from attending Build School, and who is it for?
When you come to Build School, you’re not just signing up for a week of learning; you’re opening a door to a whole world of skills and knowledge that will empower you far beyond those five days. Whether you’ve never picked up a hammer or you’ve already dabbled in DIY projects, Build School is designed to meet you where you are. You’ll leave not only with practical skills but with a newfound confidence that, yes, you can learn these things, and you can continue learning long after the workshop is over.
What I love about Build School is that it’s for everyone - especially those of you who have never felt comfortable learning the skills needed to create your own home. Maybe you’ve always thought that construction was something other people did, something too complex or technical. But here’s the thing: the basics of building, understanding how a home is put together, should be something we all know. It’s as fundamental as knowing how food is grown and made. Shelter is one of our most basic needs, and understanding it connects us to the very core of the human experience.
Build School and the results of their work on the course
“I love the community that Common Knowledge is creating, not only amongst our group where we’ve offered to help each other out with our own projects, but the wider community via the Commonage. Folks past and present can interact and get or give help. I’m going to come back to the Raise a Barn analogy, in the past communities came together. This is something that’s been lost but the folks at Common Knowledge are bringing it back and it’s beautiful.Our group would all chat amongst ourselves over the week and you could see people’s confidence grow and for some, like me, plans changed with the more knowledge we got. I feel so confident in myself to take on projects and builds that I would probably not tackle before”
What will Build School students learn over the course of the 5 days?
Over the course of the week, you’ll dive into the essential aspects of construction. You’ll learn about the materials, the tools, the techniques, and the principles that make buildings stand the test of time. But it’s not just about the technical stuff. It’s about giving you the confidence to ask the right questions, to understand what’s happening when you see a building going up, and to feel a sense of ownership over the spaces you live in.
What else can you learn other than the nuts and bolts of the building process?
Maybe you’re looking to manage a building project yourself, or maybe you just want to feel more confident when talking to contractors or making decisions about your home. Build School is here to give you that foundation. It’s about equipping you with the knowledge that a few generations ago would have been common, but now feels like a lost art.
So, if you’ve ever felt that tug—that desire to understand more about the place you call home — Build School - Level One is where you start. It’s where you begin to peel back the layers of construction, to see how things fit together, and to realise that these are skills you can learn. And once you’ve opened that door, who knows where it will lead?
“I did the Build School with Common Knowledge because I wanted to boost my confidence and skill set to build my own home. I got that. It also gave me more clarity around the vision I have for a self-sustaining life, and the different ways I can get there. The instructors have learned in part, by teaching themselves through doing, being creative and not being afraid to explore alternatives. This shows in how they impart their wisdom. They do so in a way that is accessible, encouraging, curious and fun. I couldn’t recommend highly enough.”
5 Day Course
Build School Level One
5 day course starting 2 September and 23 September
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.
