Episodes

Circular Economy in the Built Environment - Duncan Baker-Brown - BS061
61
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 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...
Bluebell -  A tiny cottage built onto a van Pt1 - Georjie Adams - BS059
59
Sept. 22, 2021

Bluebell - A tiny cottage built onto a van Pt1 - Georjie Adams - BS059

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 - ...
Bluebell -  A tiny cottage built onto a van Pt 2 - Georjie Adams - BS060
60
Sept. 22, 2021

Bluebell - A tiny cottage built onto a van Pt 2 - Georjie Adams - BS060

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 i...
Vernacular Crafts in Earth Pt2 - Alex Gibbons - BS058
58
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.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sarahpugh?utm_term=qGVKkgbAG SPAB craft fellowship - https://www.spab.org.uk/learning/fellowship William Morris - News from Nowhere book - https://tinyurl.com/23n8b6c7 Alex Gibbons Website - https://www.stickinthemudconservation.com/ Work I did with Alex...
Guest: Alex Gibbons
Vernacular Crafts in Earth Pt1 - Alex Gibbons - BS057
57
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. 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.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sarahpugh?utm_term=qGVKkgbAG SPAB craft fellowship - https://www.spab.org.uk/learning/fellows...
Guest: Alex Gibbons
Historical Turf Construction - Daniel Postma - BS056
56
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 specialises in the interaction between past and present forms of natural building. We bring together skills and understanding from archaeology, vernacular building conservation and modern-day natural building. It's fascinating to learn the intricacies about this seemingly very ...
Innovating Affordable Housing - Craig White - BS055
55
Aug. 3, 2021

Innovating Affordable Housing - Craig White - BS055

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.bath...
Guest: Craig White
Building with Renewable Materials - Craig White - BS054
54
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 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 - h ttp...
Guest: Craig White
A Straw Bale Catch Up - Phil Christopher - BS053
53
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 few years. Links ACAN Natural Building Introduction - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqSkp1SwgOA ACAN Straw Event - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/natural-materials-masterclass-straw-tickets-163901043433 Bale House Hastings - https://www.hastings.gov.uk/parks_gardens_allotm...
Regenerative Garden Design - Sid Hill - BS052
52
July 12, 2021

Regenerative Garden Design - Sid Hill - BS052

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 Suss...
Guest: Sid Hil
ByteSize - Being a Sustainable Architect - Philippa Birch-Wood & Taleen Josefsson - BSBS008
July 5, 2021

ByteSize - Being a Sustainable Architect - Philippa Birch-Wood & Taleen Josefsson - BSBS008

Philippa and Taleen return for the concluding part to their 3 part series on their journey and life as sustainable architects. This episode features some top tips for those wanting to bring sustainability into their practice - and how not to burn out while doing it! The Holistic Architect - https://www.instagram.com/the_holistic_architect/ Philippa Birch Wood - https://www.instagram.com/birch.and.wood https://www.chetwoods.com/ ACAN - https://www.architectscan.org/ MAD - Make a difference networ...
New Dawn Traders - Alex Geldenhuys - BS051
51
June 21, 2021

New Dawn Traders - Alex Geldenhuys - BS051

I'm delighted to bring you a conversation with Alex Geldenhuys of New Dawn Traders - When I organised this recording, I thought the focus would be on the climate benefits of sailing vessels over conventional shipping methods. I was delighted to learn of the much deeper level of good this project is doing. By investing in the small producers who are connected to their land and doing best by it, not just for profit, but also for stewardship of this vital resource. New Dawn Traders have created a ...
ByteSize - Routes into Sustainable Design - Philippa Birch-Wood & Taleen Josefsson - BSBS007
June 14, 2021

ByteSize - Routes into Sustainable Design - Philippa Birch-Wood & Taleen Josefsson - BSBS007

This is the second part of the wonderful series by Philippa Birch-Wood and Taleen Josefsson discussing routes into sustainable design. Philippa has just been named as a nominee for the Architects Journal Sustainability Champion 2021 - huge congratulations to her, so well deserved! https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/aj100-sustainability-champion-of-the-year-2021-nominees-revealed Architects Climate Action Network - ACAN - https://www.architectscan.org/ The Holistic Architect - https://www.i...
Cut the Craft - Amy Umbel & Brien Beidler - BS050
50
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 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 Podcast...
An Extendable High Top Tiny House - Philippa Battye - BS049
49
May 24, 2021

An Extendable High Top Tiny House - Philippa Battye - BS049

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...
ByteSize - Advice for Architects in Training - Philippa Birch-Wood & Taleen Josefsson - BSBS006
May 17, 2021

ByteSize - Advice for Architects in Training - Philippa Birch-Wood & Taleen Josefsson - BSBS006

For this bytesize episode, sustainable design consultants Philippa Birch-Wood and Taleen Josefsson discuss their education, what shaped their desire to be involved in sustainable architecture and the opportunities that were available to them during their education. The episode ends with some top tips for budding architects on how to bring sustainability into their learning when the educational facilities aren't providing it. https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippa-birch-wood-b9488544/ https://www.l...
Tiny House Design 101 - Emma Pile - BS048
48
May 10, 2021

Tiny House Design 101 - Emma Pile - BS048

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 li...
Guest: Emma Pile
Biophilic Design - Bill Browning & Catie Ryan - BS047
47
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 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 envir...
ByteSize - Fellowship within sustainability  - Karen Ridgewell - BSBS005
April 19, 2021

ByteSize - Fellowship within sustainability - Karen Ridgewell - BSBS005

In this bytesize episode Karen Ridgewell tells us about the joys and importance of fellowships within the sustainability world. Support the show Connect with me: IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilder Twitter - @JNaturalBuilder Facebook - Jeffreythenaturalbuilder LinkedIn - Jeffreythenaturalbuilder Support this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Support the show and get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Plants and Colour - Flora Arbuthnott - BS046
46
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 colour from plants and my practice of building homes, from plants. Flora also goes through the process of extracting some colour from a flower so that you can try it at home. Flora's Bio: I make dyes, inks, and paints out of plants for drawing, painting, printing, and dyeing ...
ByteSize - Women in the workshop - Flo Hamer - BSBS004
April 5, 2021

ByteSize - Women in the workshop - Flo Hamer - BSBS004

Flo Hamer talks to us about women in the workshop, drawing on her personal experiences. Flo was my guest on our most popular Building Sustainability episode - BS010 - Building a Tiny house https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/building-a-tiny-house-flo-hamer/ It's a real pleasure to have her back! Links to badass women in workshops: Flo Hamer - https://www.instagram.com/flohamer/ Emma Appleton - https://www.instagram.com/emma_builder_joiner/ Kirsty Cassels - https://www.instagram.com/bui...
Guest: Flo Hamer
Regenerative Design - The Living Building Challenge - Martin Brown - BS045
45
March 29, 2021

Regenerative Design - The Living Building Challenge - Martin Brown - BS045

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 - htt...
Guest: Martin Brown
ByteSize - The magic of clay (Pt2) - Rowland Keable - BSBS003
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 surprise me all the time. This substance that sticks to the soles of our boots that the peasants used to build with.... Surely we can do better than that as a building material? Well, as it turns out, this hugely versatile material is actually hugely beneficial for our health when we live arou...
How Buildings can Save the World - Chris Magwood - BS044
44
March 15, 2021

How Buildings can Save the World - Chris Magwood - BS044

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/projec...