Increasing housing backlogs and rising house prices mean that self-build may be an increasingly attractive option for many households. Building on timber frame self-build project experience, Gauge is developing a simple modular prefabricated timber unit that can be readily assembled to build housing and other small buildings easily and affordably. A lightweight approach means that the building only requires pad foundations and therefore can be built in awkward sites and on sloping ground. Designs will be rapidly developed with users based on modular components. A parts list will then be used to transport components to site where they can be assembled following instructions in a manual.