Finding inspiration in Heritage traditions - Peter Kovacs - BS099
May 16, 2023

Finding inspiration in Heritage traditions - Peter Kovacs - BS099

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. The...

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Old House Retrofit - Marianne Suhr - BS098
March 5, 2023

Old House Retrofit - Marianne Suhr - BS098

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 l...

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Designing and Building & Workwear for Women - Kirsty Cassels Pt2 - BS097
Feb. 3, 2023

Designing and Building & Workwear for Women - Kirsty Cassels Pt2 - BS…

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 Pri...

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Designing and Building Pt1 - Kirsty Cassels - BS096
Jan. 27, 2023

Designing and Building Pt1 - Kirsty Cassels - BS096

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.instag...

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Make it at Market - Shannon Berry - BS095
Jan. 10, 2023

Make it at Market - Shannon Berry - BS095

The second part of my conversation with Shannon Berry was about her experience on BBC's - 'Make it at Market' and her learning difficulties. Episode Links BBC Make it at Market - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001gq6s Shan...

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Trading architect culture for craft community - Shannon Berry - BS094
Jan. 10, 2023

Trading architect culture for craft community - Shannon Berry - BS094

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 I...

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The Biophilic Tiny House - Part 3 of 3 - Jeffrey Hart - BS093
Dec. 23, 2022

The Biophilic Tiny House - Part 3 of 3 - Jeffrey Hart - BS093

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 ...

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The Natural Biophillic Tiny House Part 2 of 3 - Jeffrey Hart - BS092
Dec. 23, 2022

The Natural Biophillic Tiny House Part 2 of 3 - Jeffrey Hart - BS092

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...

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The Biophilic Tiny House Part 1 of 3 - Jeffrey Hart - BS091
Dec. 23, 2022

The Biophilic Tiny House Part 1 of 3 - Jeffrey Hart - BS091

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 …

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Building a modular cabin & Meanderings around craft - Yoav Elkayam - BS090
Dec. 6, 2022

Building a modular cabin & Meanderings around craft - Yoav Elkayam - …

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 …

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Charcoal & Biochar - Duncan Goulder & Sam Ansell - BS088
Nov. 7, 2022

Charcoal & Biochar - Duncan Goulder & Sam Ansell - BS088

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 …

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Spelk Basketry - Lorna Singleton - BS087
Nov. 7, 2022

Spelk Basketry - Lorna Singleton - BS087

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 ...

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Coppicing with BHMAT - Kath Morgan & Mike Carswell - BS086
Nov. 7, 2022

Coppicing with BHMAT - Kath Morgan & Mike Carswell - BS086

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...

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Understanding Air Tightness Testing - Gervase Mangwana (3/3) - BS085
Aug. 8, 2022

Understanding Air Tightness Testing - Gervase Mangwana (3/3) - BS085

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...

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How deep to Retrofit & Ventilating Right - Gervase Mangwana (2/3) - BS084
Aug. 4, 2022

How deep to Retrofit & Ventilating Right - Gervase Mangwana (2/3) - B…

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? …

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Retrofitting to EnerPHit standard - Gervase Mangwana (1/3) - BS083
Aug. 1, 2022

Retrofitting to EnerPHit standard - Gervase Mangwana (1/3) - BS083

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 ...

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Material Carbon Emissions & The BEAM Estimator - Chris Magwood - BS082
July 21, 2022

Material Carbon Emissions & The BEAM Estimator - Chris Magwood - BS082

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 buildersforclimateacti...

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An architect's guide to achieving a work/life balance - Clare Nash - BS080
June 17, 2022

An architect's guide to achieving a work/life balance - Clare Nash - …

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 bal...

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Contemporary Vernacular Design - Clare Nash - BS081
June 16, 2022

Contemporary Vernacular Design - Clare Nash - BS081

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 provid...

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Life Cycle Analysis in Construction - Jane Anderson - BS079
May 30, 2022

Life Cycle Analysis in Construction - Jane Anderson - BS079

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 con...

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Demand Controlled Ventilation & Homegrown mass timber build systems (Futurebuild 2022) - Vince House & Matt Stevenson - BS077
May 11, 2022

Demand Controlled Ventilation & Homegrown mass timber build systems (…

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 ventila...

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Green Building Calculator & Cobbauge (Futurebuild 2022) - Brian Murphy & Rowland Keable - BS078
May 11, 2022

Green Building Calculator & Cobbauge (Futurebuild 2022) - Brian Murph…

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://greenbuildingency...

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The Last Straw Journal - Alex Henderson, Gavin Fraser, Kenny Fallon & Zoe Gardner - BS076
April 30, 2022

The Last Straw Journal - Alex Henderson, Gavin Fraser, Kenny Fallon &…

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 - fo...

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EnerPHit - Passive House Retrofit, Air tightness and Ventilation - Es Tresidder - BS075
April 12, 2022

EnerPHit - Passive House Retrofit, Air tightness and Ventilation - Es…

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 ...

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Does adding mass to your building make it more energy efficient? - Es Tresidder - BS074
March 30, 2022

Does adding mass to your building make it more energy efficient? - Es…

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. …

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Selling Sustainability, Not Your Soul - Virginia Cinquemani - BS073
March 15, 2022

Selling Sustainability, Not Your Soul - Virginia Cinquemani - BS073

Virginia is a qualified architect, project manager, BREEAM AP and ISO14001 Lead Auditor, with a lifelong passion for sustainability. She is the author of SustainABLE: How to Find Success as a Sustainability Professional in a ...

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Biophilic Design at Source - Sophie Lacey - BS072
Feb. 28, 2022

Biophilic Design at Source - Sophie Lacey - BS072

Today we talk about mindful spaces and biophilic meditation with Sophie Lacey. Sophie has been running her own freelance copywriting and content writing business for nearly 15 years, working with a variety of lifestyle brands...

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How to design the natural home of your dreams - Sigi Koko - BS070
Feb. 14, 2022

How to design the natural home of your dreams - Sigi Koko - BS070

Sigi Koko is the principal designer of Down to Earth Design, which she founded in 1998 to help her clients manifest their dreams of living in a natural, healthy home. She works exclusively on projects that are natural, ener...

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Natural Homes - Materials, Myths and Empowerment - Sigi Koko - BS071
Feb. 14, 2022

Natural Homes - Materials, Myths and Empowerment - Sigi Koko - BS071

Sigi Koko is the principal designer of Down to Earth Design, which she founded in 1998 to help her clients manifest their dreams of living in a natural, healthy home. She works exclusively on projects that are natural, ener...

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Affordable cob homes built by AI drones - Daniel Weddle & Zach Dwiel - BS069
Feb. 1, 2022

Affordable cob homes built by AI drones - Daniel Weddle & Zach Dwiel …

Well, there's a title I didn't expect to write when I started this podcast! Today I'm talking to Danny and Zach from Terran Robotics about their work training AI drones to build cob homes. Now this might sound a little …

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How to add Insulation to your home - Part 1- Ben Kerslake - BS067
Jan. 18, 2022

How to add Insulation to your home - Part 1- Ben Kerslake - BS067

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 diffe...

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How to add Insulation to your home - Part 2 - Ben Kerslake - BS068
Jan. 18, 2022

How to add Insulation to your home - Part 2 - Ben Kerslake - BS068

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 you...

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Building with Hemp, a Circular, Bioregional Construction Economy - George Massoud & Summer Islam - BS066
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...

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How to make our interior space healthy and sustainable - Rachel Fowler - BS065
Dec. 20, 2021

How to make our interior space healthy and sustainable - Rachel Fowle…

Rachel Fowler is an interior designer who focusses on creating healthy and sustainable spaces. We discuss how to design healthy, what to watch out for and get into the healthy products and finishes you could be choosing in yo...

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What are the environmental impacts of building with Straw? - John Butler - BS064
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...

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

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Changing Construction Materials and Cultures in the Waste Age - George Massoud & Summer Islam - BS062
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...

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

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Bluebell -  A tiny cottage built onto a van Pt1 - Georjie Adams - BS059
Sept. 22, 2021

Bluebell - A tiny cottage built onto a van Pt1 - Georjie Adams - BS0…

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 di...

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

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

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 di...

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Vernacular Crafts in Earth Pt2 - Alex Gibbons - BS058
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...

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Vernacular Crafts in Earth Pt1 - Alex Gibbons - BS057
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...

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Historical Turf Construction - Daniel Postma - BS056
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...

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Innovating Affordable Housing - Craig White - BS055
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 …

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Building with Renewable Materials - Craig White - BS054
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...

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A Straw Bale Catch Up - Phil Christopher - BS053
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 ...

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Regenerative Garden Design - Sid Hill - BS052
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...

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New Dawn Traders - Alex Geldenhuys - BS051
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....

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Cut the Craft - Amy Umbel & Brien Beidler - BS050
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...

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An Extendable High Top Tiny House - Philippa Battye - BS049
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 …

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