If you want to build a house, where would you start?
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RECLAIMING EARTH: AN INSPIRING MEMOIR AND GUIDE TO OFF-GRID LIVING AND EARTHSHIP CONSTRUCTION
Alex Leeor
Discover the power of building with recycled materials, learn how to adapt the Earthship Global Model to any climate, and gain the practical skills to reduce your environmental footprint and live in harmony with the earth. With "Earthship Odyssey" as your guide, you'll be inspired to join the growing global community of Earthship pioneers and create a more sustainable future for yourself and the planet. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the secrets of sustainable living and embark on a t ...
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Greg Byrne from RB Asbestos Consultants explains what asbestos is, why it was used so widely in construction, its potential impact on health, and how you go about identifying and removing asbestos products. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Clare and Ross Booth from Coldwells Build share details of their prefabricated, turnkey Passivhaus designs that aim to simplify the delivery of high performance homes in Scotland. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Paul Testa from HEM Architects explains the difference between renovation and retrofit, using his own home as an example of a deep retrofit. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Richard Hollas from 21 Degrees explains why regular MVHR maintenance and servicing is essential, what it entails, and we accompany him step-by-step as he services a unit. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Paul Morris from Solar-Shield explains how external shading can help control solar gains and reduce internal temperatures, keeping your home cool as temperatures rise. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Tom McSherry from BuildStore explains the importance of cashflow when it comes to building a house and why a big part of selecting the right mortgage product is about planning your project around your budget and making sure you have accurate costings. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Welcome to the craziest home build you've ever seen. Imagine a house that costs nothing to run, grows its own food, and is built from materials most people throw away. Sounds impossible, right? Well, it's time to believe in miracles, because you're about to witness exactly that. I'm Alex, and this is Chapter 5 of our Earthship journey. Today, we're…
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Judith Leary-Joyce shares her experience of retrofitting a Victorian end-terrace house to reduce energy consumption, make it more healthy and comfortable, and leave a sustainable legacy for future generations. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Kym Mead from Mead Consulting explains what Passivhaus certification is, how the process works and why there is a difference between certified Passivhaus buildings and those that just adopt a 'Passivhaus principles' approach. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Lloyd Alter explains the term upfront carbon, its relevance to us all as consumers, and why he felt compelled to write a book on the topic. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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HPH354: How natureplus helps you identify sustainable building products - with Tilmann Kramolisch
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Tilmann Kramolisch from natureplus explains why their eco label was established, how materials and products are assessed, and what it means to use a natureplus certified product on your project. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Speakers from the Passivhaus workshop event at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon each share a top tip. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Neighbours Wookey and Rob Leedham explain why they were motivated to retrofit their homes, how they built up knowledge and why engaging with others on a similar path has been extremely useful. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Linda Farrow from Agile Homes explains how their prefabricated panelised system can deliver high quality and truly affordable homes that are good for the planet. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Ben Adam-Smith explains what value engineering is and how it can help us to do more with less. He reflects on a short video about Slate House in Herefordshire that includes some great examples of value engineering. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Meredith Bowles from Mole Architects shares his experience working with timber as a construction material and explains the benefits and drawbacks of the different build approaches. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Alexx Stuart from Low Tox Life shares her experiences of toxic mould exposure and offers some advice on how best to keep your home healthy and mould free. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Amelia Lee from Undercover Architect shares some common themes that tend to crop up on owner-builder projects (particularly with people who are doing this for the first time) and explains how they can be avoided by creating a clear foundation of your values and project intentions. Check out the show notes for more information.…
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Andy Marlow from Envirotecture explains why Passivhaus homes are a good fit for most climates in Australia, how they approach these projects and what is needed beyond shading to keep the homes comfortable when the outdoor temperatures soar. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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HPH345: Why is the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) such a useful tool? – with Sarah Lewis
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Sarah Lewis, the Research and Policy Director at the UK Passivhaus Trust and author of PHPP Illustrated, explains what the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is and how it is used during the design process. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Janice Gardiner, an ecologist and the client of last week’s interviewee Josh Wood at Green Trace Architect, is here to tell us what it is like to be the client on a Passivhaus project and share what she has learnt from the experience. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Architect Josh Wood gives us an insight into his own self build project, where the balance between keeping costs low and creating a sustainable home have pushed him to come up with creative solutions. By undergoing most of the work themselves, Josh and his partner Amy have been able to transform their snug, back garden plot, into a comfortable and …
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Architect Kirsty Maguire explains why reusing an existing building is always preferable to demolishing and rebuilding. However, when buildings are in terrible condition or need radical alterations to make them habitable we should be looking to reuse, recycle and reclaim as many materials as possible. Kirsty shows us that with intentional and sustai…
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Jae Cotterell, founder of Passivhaus Homes, explains the importance of the choices we make when considering our construction approach. It is possible to create a high performance home with low embodied carbon that doesn't cost the earth if we understand the process, where the impacts lie and where optimisation can make a huge difference. Check out …
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Andrew Jones explains how to reclaim VAT on a self build home or conversion as well as sharing some common pitfalls to avoid. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Mark Brinkley, author of the Housebuilder's Bible, explains how his book can guide you towards building a better home. He also shares some of the themes that have cropped up while he's been editing the latest edition. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Luke Smith from Build Test Solutions talks about making building performance measurement more commonplace, and how you can't manage what you don't measure. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Dr. Derek Taylor talks about advances in wind and solar power over the last 50 years. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Ben Adam-Smith marks five years of living in his Passivhaus home by reflecting on his self build journey and what the house has been like to live in. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Anne Thorne talks through the architectural design process of Cannock Mill Cohousing community. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Jonathan Dixon talks about incorporating home automation into a Passivhaus retrofit of a 1960s detached house, built using cross wall construction. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Ludka and Brendan Powell explain the Welsh ‘One Planet Development’ scheme and how it led them to building an off-grid, straw panel Passivhaus. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Tom Gwilliam explains what Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are, how they are created and why they are unlikely to be a useful measure of how energy efficient a building is. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Alan Clarke explains the role of a mechanical services engineer on a low energy house build, in designing a heating and ventilation system that works efficiently and is affordable. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Andy Moger, from Tetlow King Planning, explains the role of a planning consultant and the benefits they can bring to a project. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Beth Williams from Build Collective outlines the role of a structural engineer and explains what tasks might be undertaken on a house build. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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HPH328 : Insulating internally with a thin layer of wood fibre board - with Martin Twamley from Steico
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Martin Twamley from Steico explains how to use breathable internal insulation, while avoiding the risks of condensation and mould. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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As someone with no previous interest or skills in DIY, Passivhaus Consultant Es Tresidder explains why he went about changing that for his own deep retrofit project. Check out the show notes for more information:Ben Adam-Smith
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Landscape Architect and Director of HLM Architects, Simon Bell, explains why he decided to upskill when it came to building his own house. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Mark Siddall explains how thermal bypass – or air movement around insulation layers – might impact a self-build or retrofit project. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Alan Budden explains how a phased retrofit might work and what preparation is required. He also shares how he's retrofitted his own home, which includes trialling an innovative roof solution. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Influential podcaster and heating systems expert, Nathan Gambling, explains why choosing the right installer is even more important than selecting the heat pump. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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HPH322 : An EnerPHit standard retrofit of a Victorian mid terrace home – with Guy Hargreaves
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Homeowner Guy Hargreaves reflects on adapting and expanding his Victorian mid terrace home, retrofitting the whole building to EnerPHit standard. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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With price hikes being caused by the volatile energy sector, Paul Ciniglio from the National Energy Foundation explains what we can be doing to our homes to reduce our energy consumption and be better protected from rising bills. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Antoine Costantini explains how Kithurst Homes has embraced modern cutting technology to increase efficiency and minimise waste. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Architect, educator and builder, Tom Woolley, takes us through some of the natural construction materials we should be using to build healthier homes. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Jake Fitness of Self Build Zone explains what a structural warranty is, and why you might need one on your self build or renovation project. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Kit Knowles from Ecospheric explains why he is driven to keep pushing further in pursuit of sustainability in building projects. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Lloyd Alter explains how we can take personal actions to address our own carbon footprints, and why it's more important to do so than ever. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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Mike Jacob explains how Kiss House is using timber component based production to deliver homes to the Passivhaus standard. Check out the show notes for more information.Ben Adam-Smith
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