About Us

Over the years we have forgotten . We have forgotten the old crafts and trades. We have forgotten our communities. We have forgotten our connection to the land.

At Nature Build we are passionate to re-find what is important; re-learn the skills of our elders; rebuild our communities and re-connect with the land. Natural building answers so many of these questions for us. Learning together, working with the lime trades, treading cob or putting a roundwood frame up, many of the skills of our ancestors are re-kindled.

More than just going back, we have to look forwards. At Nature Build we ask, what is it that we need to live today, in this modern life and are driven towards natural living with an integration of old and new providing the solution.

About the Founder Jo Collinson

I’m Jo Collinson, the Founder of Nature Build. For many years I have been passionate about healthy buildings, the environment and architecture. I have worked at my building skills from an early age. Cutting my teeth on historic building renovation, I followed this by studying Architecture at university where I gained a  BA. With a desire to get back to the “real stuff” and combine my skills I turned my hand to renovating and extending properties, exercising design, planning and building skills.

Following a recession, I retrained in Solar installation and founded and ran a successful solar installation company for several years.  

Returning to my calling to design and build from scratch, I started apprenticing myself to different natural builders, studying with different teachers in different countries. Following this self guided training I have since accomplished a number of my own projects. I now practice many unique Natural Building techniques utilising a broad pallet of materials and finishes. 

I have not forgotten my solar skills and find the integration of natural building, solar and off-grid living hugely rewarding.

Over the years, in pursuit of a way of reducing my impact on the earth, living closer to nature and learning skills, I have ventured into the world of mobile living. I love the simplicity and complete package these tiny homes provide.

I am always looking to adjust and improve my perspective and abilities to suit our changing world.

Sometimes, when looking for a piece for a kitchen cabinet I wonder into a forgotten corner of a wood, looking for a Hazel pole. There, evidence remains all around me of the the forgotten communities that have used these ample materials. I get out of my head and enjoy the grounding that nature provides. I come back to where i’m working, process the hazel poles and enjoy the pleasure with which the work slots together. It doesn’t get simpler, or more sustainable.