Natural Materials Episodes

Jan. 6, 2022

Building with Hemp, a Circular, Bioregional Construction Economy - Ge…

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 securi...

Episode page
Dec. 7, 2021

What are the environmental impacts of building with Straw? - John But…

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 Environmenta...

Episode page
Nov. 30, 2021

Why should we be building Passivhaus? - John Butler - BS063

In this episode John explains the principles and requirements of Passivhaus construction. He dispels some common myths and goes into some of the nuances of how its achieved. Does living in a passivhaus mean living in a bubble...

Episode page
Nov. 16, 2021

Changing Construction Materials and Cultures in the Waste Age - Georg…

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...

Episode page
Oct. 19, 2021

Circular Economy in the Built Environment - Duncan Baker-Brown - BS061

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 ...

Episode page
Sept. 2, 2021

Vernacular Crafts in Earth Pt2 - Alex Gibbons - BS058

Part two of the conversation with earth builder Alex Gibbons. Applications for the SPAB fellowship close on the 14th of September - https://www.spab.org.uk/learning/fellowship Sarah Pugh Just giving link - https://www.justgiv...

Episode page
Sept. 2, 2021

Vernacular Crafts in Earth Pt1 - Alex Gibbons - BS057

Part one of the conversation with earth builder Alex Gibbons in which we discuss his route into mud building, old buildings, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, Clay Dabbins, and his clay barn Priors Lynn. Ap...

Episode page
Aug. 18, 2021

Historical Turf Construction - Daniel Postma - BS056

Daniel Postma is natural builder who has come to it from an interesting background - Archeology. Daniel is a specialist in traditional turf construction and learnt by doing as an experimental archaeologist. Archaeo Build spe...

Episode page
Aug. 2, 2021

Building with Renewable Materials - Craig White - BS054

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...

Episode page
July 22, 2021

A Straw Bale Catch Up - Phil Christopher - BS053

Phil Christopher is treasurer for SBUK as well as running Huff and Puff construction, specialising in straw bale construction. We have a little catch up and Phil tells me about the projects he's been working on over the last ...

Episode page
June 8, 2021

Cut the Craft - Amy Umbel & Brien Beidler - BS050

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 craf...

Episode page
April 26, 2021

Biophilic Design - Bill Browning & Catie Ryan - BS047

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 conne...

Episode page
April 12, 2021

Plants and Colour - Flora Arbuthnott - BS046

This week I'm joined by Flora Arbuthnott from www.plantsandcolour.co.uk . Having met Flora a few years ago, I was keen for her to be a guest on the podcast. We discuss the many similarities between her practices of creating c...

Episode page
March 29, 2021

Regenerative Design - The Living Building Challenge - Martin Brown - …

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 C...

Episode page
March 22, 2021

ByteSize - The magic of clay (Pt2) - Rowland Keable - BSBS003

This is part 2 of Rowland Keable of Earth Building UK & Ireland (EBUKI) & Rammed Earth Consulting giving us a byte size delve into the magic that is clay. Clay truly is a magic material and it continues to …

Episode page