Permaculture Episodes

Swifts are among the most remarkable birds on Earth — they sleep on the wing, migrate thousands of miles, and return each year to nest in the same tiny holes in our buildings. But as we insulate, repoint, and renovate, those nesting sites are vanishing — and so are the birds. This week, Jeffrey speaks with Hannah Bourne-Taylor — author, activist, and the powerhouse behind the campaign to mandate “swift bricks” in all new UK homes. From raising wild birds in Ghana to walking naked through West...

Join me in conversation with one of the founding members of Lammas Eco Village - Tao Wimbush. Tao Paul Wimbush is the co-founder of the Lammas Ecovillage in West Wales. He has a wealth of experience in alternative communities across West Wales – including the anarchic Tipi Valley, and the farm community Brithdir Mawr. He has lived in tipis, yurts and roundhouses, and travelled by horse-drawn wagon. With a background in architecture and carpentry and a passion for social structures, his experi...

The second part of my conversation with Janna. In this episode we get into the nitty gritty of airtightness, and how we've come to appreciate its need, while not being 100% happy about the materials needed to achieve it. We talk about the importance of fresh air in your building, how C02 will make us unhealthy and sluggish, plus the best way to get the fresh air without losing all your heat. Grain Architecture - https://www.grainarchitecture.co.uk/ Architype - https://www.architype.co.uk/ Llama...

In this episode of the Building Sustainability podcast, I am excited to welcome back architect Janna Laan Lomas, who shares her journey of building a sustainable home in Herefordshire alongside her partner, Seb, and her parents. We discuss the unique multi-generational aspect of their project, the thoughtful design considerations that have shaped their vision, and the innovative construction methods they are using, such as screw pile foundations and timber frames filled with cellulose insulation...

So much more than a show park

Ever felt weary in a dull, grey office? Touched a piece of handcrafted wood and felt a strange sense of connection? Wondered why a bottle of earthworm medicine from the 1700s is significant? Our guest, Sally Coulthard, has! A best-selling author and columnist who explores the fascinating world of biophilic design, craft, and curious objects from history. We start by looking into the intriguing territory of biophilic design. Sally throws light on how our built environment impacts us physiologica...

Prepare to be enlightened as we enter the captivating world of sustainability and crafting with best-selling author and countryside expert, Sally Coulthard. Sally breaks the mould with her diverse interests, sharing her journey from her first book about organic living to her exploration of the intersection of people, history, and nature. Let Sally inspire you with her love for practical interests and her belief in the value of being open to learning new skills and absorbing new information. We ...

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 t...

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 an...

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_...

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 -...

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 t...

Welcome back to Building Sustainability, this episode I'm joined by Architect, Academic , Author & Environmental Activist - Duncan Baker Brown. We are talking circular economy in the built environment, issues of sustainable development, deconstruction and closed-looped systems. - We've had a short break here while doing a plastering job for the Design Museum in London. The exhibition opens on the 23rd of October 2021 and full info can be found here: https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/waste-ag...

Today I'm joined by Sid Hill. Sid Hill is a multi award-winning horticultural consultant; designer; teacher and researcher. With a passion for permaculture design, ethnobotany and regenerative landscapes. Sharing his work via Youtube, Instagram and Facebook Sid Hill Links https://www.sidhillecogardens.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Sid-Hill-Ecological-Gardens-1023579844372812/ https://www.instagram.com/sidhillecogardens/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUE3d0vLxaUauB0aSeL5CyA Episode links Sus...

Martin Brown joins me to discuss how we can make regenerative buildings. We discuss Martin's 'Zoom Regenerative' which was alongside Building Sustainability in the ASBP 2021 Awards final. We also discuss The Living Building Challenge to find out what it is and how it works. Building Sustainability Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Links Martin's website - https://fairsnape.com/ Regen Notes (Newsletter) - https://fairsnape.substack.com/ Building Sustainability Website - ht...

Chris Magwood not only has a huge wealth of experience building straw bale homes, but has the building science Masters degree to back up his experience. We discuss how the built environment can go from being the worst offender for climate change, to every building being a carbon store, so actively reversing climate change. Links Chris Magwood website - https://www.chrismagwood.ca/ Endeavour Centre website - https://endeavourcentre.org/ Canada's Greenest Home - https://endeavourcentre.org/proje...

Welcome to this first episode of Byte Size Building Sustainability.... BSBS? I have heard a lot that people sometimes find it hard to find a hour to listen to podcasts, so these byte size episodes will run to a maximum of 10 minutes. It means you can get a little nugget of sustainability ponderings from my wonderful guests. Being as it's the first one, I thought I'd open the proceedings myself, with a little chat based on some advice I received from the Oregon based cob builder, Ianto Evans. I...

Today I'm talking with Alice and Gavin Munro from Full Grown about their exceptional work growing complete chairs from trees. So the normal procedure is to wait 50 years for a tree to grow, chop it down and begin cutting it into smaller and smaller parts. At some point the parts are small enough and you can now join them back together with glue to make a chair. Depending on the competency of the joinery and strength of the glue, your chair might last 50-100 years? Alice and Gavin Munro have a ...

This episode we are speaking with Sarah Partridge of Orchard Barn - http://orchardbarn.org.uk/ Orchard barn is an off grid restoration project that is rebuilding a barn and long house using the traditional tools and techniques that were used to build it the first time round. The Mick & Pat Show Join us for informal conversations surrounding beer, film, politics and philosophy. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the showConnect with me: IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilder Twitter - @JNaturalBu...

This episode is a conversation with Bristol Permaculture legend Sarah Pugh. We discuss the nuances of permaculture in a city and how permaculture is all about building communities. Black Lives Matter Links Donate to Stop Hate UK Black Lives Matter UK (UKBLM) Legal fund to combat racial injustice Petitions to sign Update GCSE reading list Teach British Children About the Realities of British Imperialism and Colonialism Anti-Racism Education to be Compulsory in U​K Schools Anti Racism Resources...

In this month's 'Building Sustainability' podcast, we talk with Rob Hopkins. A massive thanks to Rob for being such a wonderful guest... even if Google Maps tried to sabotage our meeting! Rob Hopkins is a cofounder of Transition Town Totnes and Transition Network, and the author of The Power of Just Doing Stuff, The Transition Handbook, and The Transition Companion. In 2012, he was voted one of the Independent’s top 100 environmentalists and was on Nesta and the Observer’s list of Britain’s 50 ...

Adrian Leaman from wholewoods.co.uk talks to us about his journey into the world of roundwood timber framing and green woodworking in general. We go off some wonderful tangents and end up with Adrian discussing his natural building gripes! Topics covered include: Adrian's journey from hands on education, to desk job and back again How permaculture has affected Adrian's life Working on Ben Law's renowned woodland home The hidden depths of processing your raw materials Support this podcast: h...

In this month's Building Sustainability podcast we talk with Kiko Denzer. Kiko is perhaps best known as the author of ' Build Your Own Earth Oven' - https://tinyurl.com/2bu6xj7t (A book that made it into our favourite books list). The interview is a meandering discussion featuring such topics as: Spoon carving Natural Building Christopher Alexander Bill Coperthwaite .....And a whole lot more! It was a really joyous time spent with Kiko, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Support thi...

One Planet Development is a welsh planning policy which enables those wishing to live off the land to buy agricultural land and build a house. Chris Vernon has not only just done this, but also runs the One Planet Council to give advice and assistance to those wanting to do the same. In this episode we discuss: The One Planet Development policy, what it entails and how it's unique. Chris' particular piece of land and how they are meeting the requirements for the policy. The straw bale house ...