Wood Episodes

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 podca...

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 I...

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...

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 - https:...

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/beginnin...

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 resourc...

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, likemin...

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...

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...

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 inf...

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 (suppor...

With energy prices soaring, everybody has good reason to be thinking about adding more insulation to their home. In this episode we are discussing the best types of insulation for your home and the pros and cons of some different types. A recommended listen for anyone looking to increase the energy efficiency of their home. Ben Kerslake is back! Ben last joined us way back in Episode 45 to discuss solving damp problems with lime plaster. Check out insulation month at: https://www.carringtonlim...

Part 2! (Check out episode 67 for Part 1) With energy prices soaring, everybody has good reason to be thinking about adding more insulation to their home. In this episode we are discussing the best types of insulation for your home and the pros and cons of some different types. A recommended listen for anyone looking to increase the energy efficiency of their home. Ben Kerslake is back! Ben last joined us way back in Episode 45 to discuss solving damp problems with lime plaster. Check out ins...

We discuss the report created by Material Cultures and ARUP which examines the potential positive impacts of a bioregional construction economy, from improvements in biodiversity to an increase in construction jobs and security; building a case for redistributing the values of the construction industry towards a cleaner, sustainable methodology for growth that is beneficial to all. It can be viewed here. Until recently, little attention has been paid to the carbon impacts of the construction an...

John Butler is back for another episode, this time focussing on 'natural' materials and their whole life carbon. Topics include: What natural means, is it a useful descriptor? The results from a new UK Straw Bale Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Is there enough straw to build a reasonable quantity of homes with? Why is John called the woodlouse? This episode has associated graphs to peruse on the BSP website: https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/what-is-the-environmental-im...

The construction industry needs a shake up. Not just in the materials that are used but in the cultures within the industry. We talk about George and Summer's take on how we should be constructing and discuss their design for the Waste Age exhibition in London. My Movember Space - https://uk.movember.com/mospace/14634309 Mental health support links: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/getting-help https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/mental-health-and-stigma/help-and-support Find local support charit...

Georjie Adams is building a fantastic van based mobile home. It's unlike anything you are likely to have seen before - it's a work of art! Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbluebell/ In this conversation we discuss the issues Georjie faced as a woman wanting to build and the project that has grown out of it, as well as some of the reasons this lifestyle appealed. Part 2 contains more experiences and philosophies the Building Bluebell project has created. From Georjie's website ...

Georjie Adams is building a fantastic van based mobile home. It's unlike anything you are likely to have seen before - it's a work of art! Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbluebell/ In this conversation we discuss experiences and philosophies the Building Bluebell project has created. Part 1 contains the issues Georjie faced as a woman wanting to build and the project that has grown out of it, as well as some of the reasons this lifestyle appealed. From Georjie's website - get...

Craig White is back for another episode, we chatted away for a couple of hours so this is the second part of the conversation. It might make slightly more sense if you listen to the other episode first, but I think they largely stand alone. Links Modcell - https://www.modcell.com/ Agile Homes - https://agile.property/ BaleHaus at Bath - https://www.modcell.com/projects/balehaus-at-bath/ The House that Kevin Built - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyhW5NST3aM University of Bath - https://www.ba...

This is the first of two episodes with Craig White of White Design, Modcell & Agile Homes. This episode focuses on Craig's design principles with some side nerding about windows and a small amount of architect poking! Episode Links Agile Homes - https://agile.property/ Modcell - https://www.modcell.com/ Post Occupancy Evaluation - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236144016_Post-Occupancy_Evaluation_A_Multifaceted_Tool_for_Building_Improvement LILAC - https://www.lilac.coop/ TRADA - ht...

Something a bit special for episode 50 of the Building Sustainability Podcast. This is a reciprocal episode with Amy Umbel and Brien Beidler from Cut The Craft Podcast - They came on Building Sustainability to talk about craft and give their delightful insights into some of the nuances within the area. In return I was a guest on their Cut the Craft podcast to talk about Natural Building. It was a really fun day of getting to know Amy and Brien, we laughed a whole lot! Links Cut the Craft Podc...

The last tiny house episode for a while! Today I'm talking to Philippa Battye, an architect, who designed and built her very unique tiny home. Her house has a collapsible roof and bolt on wings to give extra height and width to her living space. The effect is unlike any tiny house I've seen... spectacular! Take a peak at Philippa's Instagram to see the house in all it's glory! https://www.instagram.com/philippabattye/ We had a big old natter about materials, design, pogs, moving.. and so much m...

Emma Pile is a digital artist, based on the outskirts of London, specialising in theatre, exhibitions & events. Last year she built a lovely tiny home with a little help from her Dad. You can see her Tiny House here: https://www.instagram.com/emslittlegreen/ And check out her stunning digital design website: http://www.emmapile.net/ In the podcast we discuss the many questions I have about building my own tiny house. Big topics include: Staying under the trailers max weight Finding a place to...

This week I am incredibly excited to be joined by Bill Browning and Catie Ryan from Terrapin Bright Green to discuss biophilic design. Biophilic design is a concept used within the building industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions. Used at both the building and city-scale, it is argued that this idea has health, environmental, and economic benefits for building occupants and urban envi...