Building Sustainability Podcast

Will Stanwix, a sustainable builder and expert in natural materials like hempcrete and clay plaster, shares his journey with barn conversions and eco-friendly construction. He discusses innovative insulation techniques using hempcrete, practical applications of clay mixes, and the sensory experience of natural materials. Will highlights the challenges and joys of kitchen and bathroom renovations while balancing family commitments. His insights into the revival of natural building practices and community involvement make for an enlightening conversation!

Join Will Stanwix, a natural builder and expert in retrofitting with sustainable materials, as he shares insights on transforming a 300-year-old barn using crushed clay tiles and hempcrete. Discover the acoustic benefits of natural materials and how they enhance living spaces. Dive into the fascinating history of building techniques, including ancient tools and craftsmanship found during renovations. Will also discusses creative methods in sustainable home building, emphasizing the importance of community and innovative practices for eco-friendly construction.

Caroline Nicolay discusses natural building and archaeology. We explore ancient techniques like mineral pigments and casein paints, debunking stereotypes of primitive living. Caroline shares her experiential archaeology journey, transitioning from historical food research to pigments in prehistory.We delve into ancient paint usage, lime in construction and making paint from natural materials like clay and minerals. The conversation touches on tempera paint, historical recipes using dairy products, and making paint from cheese curds and chalk powder. We discuss the durability of ancient paints and the importance of practicality in historical building practices.The episode highlights modern innovations in clay plastering techniques and the speaker's journey into earth building. Caroline aims to connect archaeologists, open-air museums, and natural builders to showcase shared interests in sustainable practices.Episode LinksBOOK - Sally Coulthard - A Brief History of the Countryside in 100 Objects - https://tinyurl.com/bdh7rn2fCaroline's website - https://www.pariogallico.com/Clayfest - https://www.ebuki.co/events/clayfest-2024Tammy Hodekiss - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRPYS4LuKjgBOOK - The Natural Paint Book - https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/The_Natural_Paint_Book.html?id=rwkprjb5r3oC&redir_esc=yCasein paint recipe - https://naturalearthpaint.com/blogrecipe-natural-casein-paint/How to make Casein - https://www.ehow.com/how_8474158_make-casein-glue.htmlBecky Little - https://www.rebearth.co.uk/Becky Little Building Sustainability Podcast - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/mud-the-ultimate-building-material-becky-little/Daniel Postma - https://www.archaeobuild.com/en/Daniel Postma building Sustainability Podcast - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/historical-turf-construction-daniel-postma-/Scottish Crannog Centre - https://crannog.co.uk/Connect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport 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.

How to Build a Roundhouse - Part 2! Be sure to check out Part 1 first.Episode linksWholewoods - https://wholewoods.co.uk/Buildcamp - https://www.instagram.com/buildcamp/Tony Wrench Roundhouse - https://www.thatroundhouse.info/. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_RoundhouseBuglife (invertebrate roofs) - https://www.buglife.org.uk/Center for ancient technology - https://ancienttechnologycentre.com/Bill Coperthwaite - https://www.insearchofsimplicity.net/BOOK - Bill Copperthwaite - A handmade life - https://tinyurl.com/2pwaetpdTom Ingall Roundhouse - https://www.instagram.com/tom_merlin_ingall/BOOK - Barbara Jones - Building with straw bales - https://tinyurl.com/mu9xfk4fKings Foundation Building Craft Apprenticeship - https://www.kings-foundation.org/education/building-craft-programmeCollect art Fair - https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/collect-fair/collect-art-fair-2024Futurebuild - https://tinyurl.com/4bubkxw6ASBP Healthy Buildings Conference - https://asbp.org.uk/healthybuildings2024Podcast episode - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/building-with-purpose-the-straw-bale-house-experience-jo-bolton-matt-whitaker-bs102/Connect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderTwitter - @JNaturalBuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderLinkedIn - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport 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.

Adrian Leaman, a pioneer in sustainable building and roundhouse construction, takes us on a fascinating journey into the world of roundhouses. He shares valuable insights on foundation methods, the significance of timber species, and the unique qualities of these structures. The conversation flows into the art of constructing reciprocal roofs, showcasing historical influences and modern techniques. With a perfect blend of practical tips and light-hearted tales, Adrian illustrates the creativity and community spirit involved in building roundhouses.

In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, host Jeffrey Hart sits down with Sam Goates from Woven in the Bone, a company that creates woven cloth on pedal-powered looms in Scotland. Sam discusses her love-hate relationship with her looms, the challenges of the industry, and the satisfaction she derives from weaving. We also delve into the process of starting a business, the importance of building relationships with customers, and the impact of rejection. Tune in to hear Sam's journey in the world of cloth-making and her pursuit of sustainable practices.Episode links:Woven in the bone Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/woveninthebone/Woven in the bone website - https://www.woveninthebone.com/George Hattersley - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geo._HattersleyThe luddites - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LudditeWoven in the bone poem - https://www.woveninthebone.com/heritage/Weaving songs book - https://www.isle20.com/product/weaving-songs/BOOK - Bespoke : Savile Row Ripped and Smoothed http://tinyurl.com/yzrdh75cRichard Anderson - https://www.richardandersonltd.com/Connect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderTwitter - @JNaturalBuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderLinkedIn - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport 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.

Paloma Gormley continues our conversation, focusing on the use of clay as a sustainable alternative to lime and cement. We explore the versatility of clay as a material and its use in various forms, such as unfired clay blocks and light earth constructions.We also delve into the challenges and potential solutions of using non-standard construction timber, such as coppice timbers. Emphasising the need for collaboration between construction and agriculture, and the importance of social and land justice. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of certification and testing for low-carbon solutions and the limitations of the circular economy narrative.Episode LinksMaterial Cultures - https://materialcultures.org/HG Mathews - https://www.hgmatthews.com/lime-and-cob/natural-building-blocks/strocks/Studio Gil - http://studiogil.org/portfolio/wolves-lane-community-centre/Flat House - https://materialcultures.org/flat-house/Earthen floor in Artist Studio - https://materialcultures.org/artist-studio/Rowland Keable - https://rammedearthconsulting.com/Podcasts with George and Summer - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/changing-construction-materials-and-cultures-in-the-waste-age-george-massoud-summer-islam-bs062/ https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/a-circular-bioregional-construction-economy-george-massoud-summer-islam-bs066/Hook Park - https://hookepark.aaschool.ac.uk/https://wakelyns.co.uk/ Wakelyns farm Support the show and get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paloma Gormley, Architect from Material Cultures, discusses the importance of regenerative materials in building design, including plant-based materials like hemp and reed. They explore their uses in construction and the positive impact on wetlands. The conversation also highlights the need for improved working conditions, diversity, and inclusivity in the construction industry. Other topics include introducing alternative materials, rethinking construction education, and the ethical considerations of large companies entering the sustainable products space. Tune in for an insightful conversation on shifting perceptions and creating a more sustainable built environment.

Today I'm joined by natural builder Julz Baker from Unearthed to talk about the lessons he learned from running a natural building company. It's a frank chat about some of the pitfalls that may await new natural building businesses ... and a whole load of tangents and material chat. Episode linksUnearthed - https://www.instagram.com/unearthed_build/Lewes Bonfire Society - https://www.lewesbonfire.com/Kind Supply - https://www.kindsupply.uk/Old Tree Brewery ( Kombucha - not a sponsor! Just happened to be featured) https://www.oldtreebrewery.co.uk/?page=2Will Stanwix - https://thathempcreteguy.com/aboutACAN - https://www.architectscan.org/Denim Insulation - https://www.kindsupply.uk/blogs/sustainability-journal/sustainable-sound-proofing-with-recycled-denimSilica is a compound derived from silicon commonly found in nature and used in various industrial and consumer applications, including glass production and as a filler in paints, plastics, and rubber.Silicone, on the other hand, is a synthetic polymer derived from siloxane.BOOKSNature's Calendar - http://tinyurl.com/jbuct93sThe Magical Year - http://tinyurl.com/3h3533zyThe Dispossessed - http://tinyurl.com/yz6s8f6zPODCASTWitch - BBC Sounds - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001mc4pConnect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderTwitter - @JNaturalBuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderLinkedIn - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport 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.

Happy solstice everyone!This episode I'm once again joined by Mike Hill for a festive episode.Join us for an eggnog while we give a very lighthearted review of our year and answer listener questions.There are cracker jokes, mince pies and mulled wine - Plus we talk tiny house details, self-care, stoves, hemp insulation, top 5 tools and much more.Hope everyone enjoys the festive period, normal podcast schedule resumes in January with some incredible guests. Jeffreyxx Support the show and get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.