What if we told you that the journey to sustainability involves more than just recycling and reducing emissions? Prepare to be enthralled as we navigate through transformational narratives of businesses pivoting towards sustainable and regenerative projects. We share the intriguing story of an Oxfordshire project that breathed new life into discarded barn doors by repurposing them as shelves, countertops, and a dining table. Witness how embracing imperfections and honouring craft can, in fact, r...
Jul 25, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Are you ready to embark on a journey that blends architectural innovation with environmental sustainability? Come along as I engage in a vibrant discussion with the gifted duo, Jo Bolton and Matt Whitaker of Abundant Earth. We delve into the captivating process of constructing a straw bale house that exists in harmony with its natural surroundings. It's not just a house, but a tribute to human ingenuity and a testament to the beauty of nature. The tale doesn't stop at the mere structure; it's th...
Jul 11, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 102
Ever wondered what it's like to create an intentional community from the ground up? Join us for a heartwarming conversation with Jo Bolton and Matt Whitaker , co founders of Abundant Earth , as they share their journey of building a sustainable, off-grid life for themselves and their families. With experiences ranging from living in cabins on the outskirts of Newcastle to navigating the planning permission process, Matt and Joe have come a long way, and their story is sure to inspire and uplift ...
Jun 27, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Ready to kickstart your career in natural building and sustainable construction? Join us as we celebrate our 100th episode in the company of Allstar Natural Builders - Becky Little, Julz Baker, Em Appleton, Dylan Walker, and William Stanwix. Learn from these inspiring professionals as they share their experiences, advice, and pathways into this growing industry. Discover the diverse journeys our guests took to enter the world of sustainable building, from traditional brickwork apprenticeships to...
Jun 08, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 100
I'm talking with Peter Kovacs about his product design, tool making and taking inspiration from heritage techniques and materials. Peter's Philosophy - "Our tools allow us to create beautiful objects out of raw materials. These tools should serve us as reliable companions, an extension of our body. That was my aim when I made my axes. Perfect ergonomics, excellent quality steel and heat treatment. From the skill of the blacksmith, hand forging the heads, through my many years of experience with ...
May 16, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 99
Marianne Suhr is a Chartered Building Surveyor specialising in the repair of older buildings. We talk about the role of a building surveyor, the SPAB and how to go about sympathetically retrofitting an old building. Episode links: This episode link - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/old-house-retrofit-and-SPAB-marianne-suhr-bs098 Marianne's company website - http://oldhouseconsultancy.co.uk/ See Marianne in person at the Homebuilding and Renovation show - https://www.homebuildingsho...
Mar 05, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 98
This is the second part of my conversation with Kirsty Cassels. In this episode, we hear about Kirsty's experience as a joiner in the TV industry, her work promoting workwear for women, certifying natural products and the Prince's Foundation... as well as other side meanderings. Episode links: Workwear for women - https://www.instagram.com/workwear_for_women/ Kirsty's building work - https://www.instagram.com/building_cassels/ Kirsty's design work - https://www.instagram.com/creative_cassels/ RI...
Feb 03, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 97
The first of 2 episodes with designer and builder Kirsty Cassels. Pt2 will follow next week when I am back in the country. Follow Kirsty's work on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/building_cassels/ https://www.instagram.com/creative_cassels/ Leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-sustainability-podcast/id1459369615 Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Episode links: Hartwyn - https://hartwyn.co.uk/ Alex Sparrow (UK Hempcrete) - http...
Jan 27, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 96
The second part of my conversation with Shannon Berry was about her experience on BBC's - 'Make it to Market' and her learning difficulties. Episode Links BBC Make it at Market - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001gq6s Shannon Berry Website - https://www.shannonberrynature.co.uk Matty Whitaker - https://www.instagram.com/matty.whittaker/ Alice Blogg - http://www.aliceblogg.co.uk/ Amy Leake (Woodmungler) - https://www.instagram.com/woodmungler/ Sharif Adams - https://www.instagram.com/wooden_wa...
Jan 10, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 95
Shannon Berry trained as an architect but I met her as a pole lathe bowl turner. You might know her from BBC's Make It at Market. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001gq6s https://www.shannonberrynature.co.uk/ Episode links Illustration from Amy Charles' Patreon feedback - https://cricketmedia.com/blog/reading/spotlight-on-trina-schart-hyman/ Patreon for podcast support - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Matty Whitaker - https://www.instagram.com/matty.whittaker/ Abundant Earth - h...
Jan 10, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 94
The concluding part of the Biophilic Tiny House Christmas conversation. In this episode we discuss how long it took to build, costs, hardest bits, best bits, how to keep up motivation, future plans and advice for future tiny house builders. Links Kind Supply (Hemp Insulation) - https://kindsupply.co.uk/ Indinature Hemp - https://www.indinature.co/ Tiny House Podcast Links Building A Tiny House - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/building-a-tiny-house-flo-hamer/ An Extendable High Top...
Dec 23, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 93
This is part 2 of the natural biophilic tiny house Christmas special episode. Guest interviewer Mike Hill quizzes me on technical details such as air tightness, ventilation, solar power, heating, and water. Episode Links Kind Supply (Hemp Insulation) - https://kindsupply.co.uk/ Indinature Hemp - https://www.indinature.co/ Chris Magwood Podcast (plastic membrane) - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/how-buildings-are-going-to-save-the-world-chris-magwood-bs044/ Gervase Mangwana podcast...
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 92
Today we are talking to me, Jeffrey Hart, designer and builder of the biophilic tiny house. This is the Christmas special, and so is a light-hearted chat with some mince pies and mulled wine. We talked for 4 hours, and edited down to just shy of 3 hours! In this episode, we discuss why I wanted to build a tiny home, small living, how to find the land, design considerations, budget, windows, materials, the design process, technical details and biophilic design. Episode links Kind Supply (Hemp Ins...
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 91
Yoav Elkayam is a craftsperson specialising in turning cups and bowls. He has also built his own cabin in the woods in a unique way that I was excited to delve into. This is a wandering conversation taking in elements of building, craft, teaching and the true joy of owning a fridge. Check out Yoav's work here: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yoav.kafets Website - https://yoavkafets.bigcartel.com/ Woodland Makers Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/woodlandmakers/ Woodland Makers Courses ...
Dec 06, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 90
In this episode, I'm joined by green woodworker John Mullaney. John has carved out the reputation as the shrink pot guy but has many strings to his bow. We discuss his origins & craft in this joyous conversation that will inspire you to get stuck into some learning! This episode link for sharing - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/developing-your-craft-john-mullaney-bs089/ Episode links Craftspeople John's Website - https://johnmullaneywoodcraft.bigcartel.com/ John Mullaney - htt...
Nov 21, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 89
The 3rd and final coppice focussed episode is with Duncan and Sam from The Coppice Co-op. We are predominantly talking about Charcoal in this episode, its history, its uses and the ways to make it. This episode is part of a trio focusing on the technique of coppicing. They were made possible by the Bill Hogarth Memorial Apprenticeship Trust (BHMAT). *** BHMAT are now inviting applications for our next placement and hope to interview and start the placement soon (by the end of the year/beginning ...
Nov 07, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Lorna Singleton is a coppice worker, basket maker and green woodworker. Specialising in Spelk Basketry - About Lorna - "I am one of the UK’s last remaining ‘swillers’, a specialist in weaving baskets using coppiced oak. From a workshop tucked away in the Cumbrian woods I weave traditional baskets known as spelk baskets, or swills. I cut and prepare the wood by hand, seeing the whole process through from the tree to the finished product, coppicing the woodland to create a truly renewable resource...
Nov 07, 2022•59 min•Season 1Ep. 87
In this episode we hear from Kath Morgan who is the coordinator and administrator for the Bill Hogarth Memorial Apprenticeship Trust and Mike Carswell, a coppice worker and former BHMAT apprentice. At the end of August 2022 I attended the BHMAT Woodland Pioneers event in the Lake district. Woodland Pioneers is an introduction to coppicing and coppice crafts run by the Bill Hogarth Memorial Apprenticeship Trust. The annual event was fantastic week of learning and hanging out with lovely, likemind...
Nov 07, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 86
The concluding part to my conversation with Gervase Mangwana - This episode we talk through air tightness testing and what the results mean. Should we be using permeability, or air changes per hour? Some of this conversation centres around the results from my air tightness testing in the tiny house and how certain test reporting favours larger homes. Just to warn you, this episode features live maths.... and live measuring too! Become a Patreon supporter in August 2022 and be in with a chance of...
Aug 08, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 85
Part two of my conversation with Gervase Mangwana - This episode follows on from BS083 and we talk carbon payback, and cost payback of an EnerPHit retrofit. Is going all the way to EnerPHit always the right thing to do? Then we talk about the importance of ventilation in a home and how excess carbon dioxide can effect us. Become a Patreon supporter in August 2022 and be in with a chance of winning a wonderful packbasket! (Also really help the podcast out!) https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustain...
Aug 04, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 84
This is the first of 3 episodes with Gervase Wangwana - a Retrofit specialist, Airtightness tester and reformed DJ. Part 2 will look more into ventilation and part 3 is all about air tightness. Become a Patreon supporter in August 2022 and be in with a chance of winning a wonderful packbasket! (Also really help the podcast out!) https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Episode Links: Green Building Store case study of Reform Cottage - https://www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk/reform-cottage-ene...
Aug 01, 2022•58 min•Season 1Ep. 83
Chris Magwood is once again our guest on the podcast. Today we are discussing calculating materials carbon emissions, which might also be called up front carbon or embodied carbon. Chris and his team at buildersforclimateaction.org have created the BEAM calculator to do just that. We discuss the calculator, what it can do and what its limitations are. Whether it's ok to offset biogenic carbon against higher carbon emitting materials? Some excellent reports into current house construction in Cana...
Jul 21, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 82
Today I'm joined by Clare Nash who describes herself as an "Architect creating dream eco-homes, barn conversions plus environmental and community focused housing schemes" Today we are talking about how to find a work/life balance. Design Your Life Book - https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Clare-Nash/Design-your-life--An-architects-guide-to-achieving-a-worklife-balance/26380240 Bursting with tips, ideas and how-tos on all aspects of designing a working life that suits you and your business, this book...
Jun 16, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 80
The second Episode with Architect Clare Nash this time discussing the findings from her book Contemporary Vernacular Design How British Housing Can Rediscover Its Soul The book presents 25 inspirational housing schemes providing hope for the future of home building in Britain. Highlighting the need for the UK to reclaim its sense of local identity through the vernacular, these case studies are not just examples of good design but demonstrate the achievable nature of contemporary vernacular in to...
Jun 16, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 81
This week on the podcast we have Jane Anderson, who is an expert in Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), EPD and Embodied Carbon for construction. We discuss what LCA's and EPD's are and how they are created, sequestering carbon in construction and greenwashing! Links from this episode: Jane's Website - https://constructionlca.co.uk/ Jane's Twitter - https://twitter.com/constructionlca One Click LCA - https://www.oneclicklca.com/ PHRibbon (LCA) - https://www.phribbon.co.uk/ Building Sustainability Patreon...
May 30, 2022•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 79
Conversations recorded at Futurebuild 2022 with Brian Murphy of the Green Building Calculator and Rowland Keable of EBUKI talking about the Cobbauge project. Episode links Green Building Calculator - https://greenbuildingencyclopaedia.uk/ https://www.futurebuild.co.uk/ EBUKI - http://www.ebuki.co/ Cobbauge - http://www.cobbauge.eu/en/ Sheltercraft - https://sheltercraft.co.uk The Mick & Pat Show Join us for informal conversations surrounding beer, film, politics and philosophy. Listen on: Ap...
May 11, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 78
Two conversations recorded at Futurebuild 2022. Vince House talks about demand controlled ventilation and Matt Stevenson about homegrown timber solutions. Podcast Links Updated! Comparison of MVHR Vs Demand controlled ventilation https://www.aivc.org/sites/default/files/D2_S6B-02.pdf https://www.aereco.co.uk/ https://ukcmb.org/2019/10/27/bsi-white-paper-moisture-in-buildings/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-stevenson-62006841/ https://www.futurebuild.co.uk/ The Mick & Pat Show Join us for i...
May 11, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 77
This episode we are talking to the brand new editorial team for the Last Straw Journal - Alex Henderson, Gavin Fraser, Kenny Fallon & Zoe Gardner! The Last Straw Journal THE ALTERNATIVE JOURNAL OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION - for dirtbags and dreamers - since 1992 The Last Straw is a platform to share and explore ideas of a better world through the lens of building methods and materials. In the face of climate crisis and increasing alienation from each other and the Earth, we believe another wo...
Apr 30, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 76
Building Physicist and certified PassivHaus designer Es Tresidder is back to discuss his EnerPHit retrofit project on his family home. We discuss what he's doing and what he has learned from pulling apart his home to do the work. Episode Links Es' website: http://www.highlandpassive.com/ Design of Es’ retrofit and Es’ employer - http://www.johngilbert.co.uk/ Building Sustainability Community Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/340122253926357 Building Sustainability Patreon (support...
Apr 12, 2022•55 min•Season 1Ep. 75
It's a commonly held belief that adding mass into your building will make it more energy efficient. In this episode I talk with Es Tresidder about whether this is true and when extra mass in your building can be beneficial. About Es - I am a certified Passivhaus and AECB Carbonlite Retrofit designer. I have over ten years of experience in low-energy buildings in both consultancy and academic roles. I also teach on two Masters courses ( Developing Low Carbon Communities and Sustainable Energy Sol...
Mar 30, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 74
