'Skin and Bones' is a study model for a garden day-room / studio designed to be: - low-carbon (Hempcrete), - low-cost, - regulation and industry-lite, - self-build - passive It is an exploration of rudimentary self-build construction capacities and architectural ambition exploring vernacular construction values and contemporary aesthetic sensibilities. Within Permitted Development limits for its site and on the cusp of mandatory Building Control submission, a main ambition is to escape industry hegemony, as far as possible. It is appreciative of Colin Ward, more idiosyncratic, less ideological than Walter Seagal-type system building, but nevertheless hopeful of transferable learning. As a self-build novice, pre-determination of each element and junction is a critical aspect of preparation. The model offered is itself a 'kitchen table self-build' and in that it offers a scalable learning exercise. Well-established techniques include double-stud and hempcrete on screw piles, aluminium external skin (shown in x-ray in part) and junctions with low carbon and/or recyclable materials. A S/E facing cactus room collects solar energy. Statutory load and span-to-depth tables solutions are preferred to elaborated structure. Construction runs through light-emitting openings to avoid risk of compromising self-built structures. For the maker-architect-builder skin and bones asks the question: What cost autonomy?