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Hi there, Hi, my name is Francesca I am currently studying my Masters Degree in Architecture at Northumbria University in Newcastle and over the summer I have been reading and collecting research on the current housing crisis with a focus on self-build / custom-build housing as a means of providing good quality, affordable homes tailored to individual needs for my dissertation, but what I would really like to know from yourselves, are people’s genuine experiences of taking on their own self-build or custom build project, whether you're currently in the process or have completed the project. Hearing first hand your experiences is much more valuable than the articles that can be accessed online. I would be ever so grateful if you could follow the link below and fill out a short survey, any question can be passed but the more information you can give me the stronger case I can build for my thesis. All information given is kept completely confidential and in line with the university’s ethical guidelines alongside the Data Protection Act (2018). No names or addresses are required. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZNK8R7H Thank you in advance, and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me via PM. Frankie Paul

CIC online offers a really well collated set of information But, I get the feeling that, since it's a project funded by several Higher Education Institutes, the project is likely to be pruned. The site isn't as useful as it might be because there's no site-based search facility. For example, I'd like to have researched 'Thermal Mass'. Purely for reference and research purposes you understand. However this page was the most useful starting point for me : it lists a set of relevant categories It's best to register (they'll ask you to do that for some resources -not all)

This article is interesting enough to read in full, but we’ve not got the time….so here’s a copy of it’s own summary (unedited and in its original format) How do workers, their material, equipment and workplace relate to construction accidents? · Problems arising from workers or the work team, especially worker actions or behaviour and worker capabilities, were judged to have contributed to over two thirds (70%) of the accidents. This points to inadequate supervision, education and training. · Poor communication within work teams contributed to some accidents, due to the physical distance between work colleagues or high levels of background noise. · In many cases, the accident occurred when those involved were not actually performing a construction task, but moving around site, for example. · Workplace factors, most notably poor housekeeping and problems with the site layout and space availability, were considered to have contributed in half (49%) of the accident studies. Standards of housekeeping and workplace layout with respect to safety are low in construction when compared with other industrial sectors. Despite poor weather often being cited as one of the reasons for construction having a poor safety record, this research found little evidence in support of this. · Shortcomings with equipment, including PPE, were identified in over half (56%) of the incidents. Poor equipment design and inappropriate use of equipment for the task were prominent aspects of this. Designers, suppliers and purchasers of equipment appear to give insufficient attention to the safety of users. · Deficiencies with the suitability and condition of materials, including packaging, featured in more than a quarter (27%) of incidents. The operation of the supply/purchase chain at present appears to act as a barrier to innovation as far as safety is concerned. · Originating influences, especially inadequacies with risk management, were considered to have been present in almost all (94%) of the accidents. · Frequently, no risk assessment had been undertaken covering the circumstances involved in the accident. Where a risk assessment had been carried out, it was often found to be superficial and unlikely to have prevented the accident. · It appears that PPE is relied upon habitually as a substitute for risk elimination or reduction at source. · It was judged that up to half of the 100 accidents could have been mitigated through a design change and it was found that, despite CDM, many designers are still failing to address the safety implications of their designs and specifications. Reference Loughborough University and UMIST (2003) Research Report 156 : Causal factors in construction accidents cited in Recent Construction Specific Research (2015) http://www.hse.gov.u…es/research.htm(downloaded February 2015)