
Building Sustainability Podcast
The majority of homes currently being built are bad for the earth, the occupants and the builder’s health. Every fortnight, join Jeffrey Hart as he talks to designers, builders, makers, dreamers and doers. Exploring the wide world of sustainability in the built environment by talking to wonderful people who are doing excellent things. Whether you want to learn more about natural materials, are navigating your own self build, or just want to know that better alternatives are out there, this is the podcast for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Jul 22, 2021 • 1h 10min
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. LinksACAN Natural Building Introduction - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqSkp1SwgOA ACAN Straw Event - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/natural-materials-masterclass-straw-tickets-163901043433Bale House Hastings - https://www.hastings.gov.uk/parks_gardens_allotments/parks/visitorcentre/about/European Straw Bale Gathering -https://strawbuilding.eu/Cave Coop - http://www.cave.coop/UPSTRAW -https://www.nweurope.eu/projects/project-search/up-straw-urban-and-public-buildings-in-straw/SBUK - https://strawbalebuildinguk.com/Huff & Puff Construction (Phil's company) - https://www.huffpuff.me/The Mick & Pat ShowJoin us for informal conversations surrounding beer, film, politics and philosophy.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showConnect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderTwitter - @JNaturalBuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderLinkedIn - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 12, 2021 • 1h 10min
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 FacebookSid Hill Linkshttps://www.sidhillecogardens.com/https://www.facebook.com/Sid-Hill-Ecological-Gardens-1023579844372812/https://www.instagram.com/sidhillecogardens/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUE3d0vLxaUauB0aSeL5CyAEpisode linksSussex Mass Trespass - July 24th - https://landscapesoffreedom.com/Enter the competition at: https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainabilityPrizes - https://www.instagram.com/p/CQy2yfIjeRv/Eden Project - https://www.edenproject.com/The Mick & Pat ShowJoin us for informal conversations surrounding beer, film, politics and philosophy.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showConnect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderTwitter - @JNaturalBuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderLinkedIn - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 5, 2021 • 30min
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.woodhttps://www.chetwoods.com/ACAN - https://www.architectscan.org/MAD - Make a difference networking - https://www.madnetwork.net/Sussex Mass Trespass - July 24th - https://landscapesoffreedom.com/PRIZE PICTURES - https://www.instagram.com/jeffreythenaturalbuilder/ENTER HERE- https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainabilityPrizes from John Mullaney - https://www.instagram.com/john_mullaney813/Dace Cockroft - https://www.instagram.com/davethebodger/Islajoy Middleton - https://www.instagram.com/islajoy_middleton/Geoff Hannis - https://www.instagram.com/geoffhannis/Prize for existing patreon supporters - https://www.instagram.com/flohamer/The Mick & Pat ShowJoin us for informal conversations surrounding beer, film, politics and philosophy.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showConnect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderTwitter - @JNaturalBuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderLinkedIn - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 21, 2021 • 56min
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 new way ensure the products you are buying are ethically and sustainably up to scratch. "NEW DAWN TRADERS is an experimental business. We trade in wild ideas and delicacies, working with sailing cargo vessels to import produce from across the Atlantic Ocean and along European coastlines pollution-free.Inspired by people, projects and businesses that promote resilience in local food systems, we have designed the Voyage COOP to apply this way of thinking to international trade. With our network of ships, producers and allies, we are building new models for supply chains that puts planet and people first.Through our products & events we are invigorating a new maritime culture around sail-powered cargo ships, the goods they carry & the communities they support. Our journey is a symbolic one, playing our part in the global movement to bringing food trade to a human scale & consumerism to a conscious level. In time we will add our own ship to the fleet!"Podcast LinksThe fair transport company - https://fairtransport.eu/Tres Hombres - https://fairtransport.eu/tres-hombres/Landworkers Alliance - https://landworkersalliance.org.uk/ The Open Food Network - https://www.openfoodnetwork.org.uk/Rose George TED talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/rose_george_inside_the_secret_shipping_industryEco Clipper - https://ecoclipper.org/Blue Schooner Company - https://blueschoonercompany.com/en/home/Sail Cargo Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sailcargo/The Mick & Pat ShowJoin us for informal conversations surrounding beer, film, politics and philosophy.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showConnect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderTwitter - @JNaturalBuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderLinkedIn - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 14, 2021 • 14min
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-revealedArchitects Climate Action Network - ACAN - https://www.architectscan.org/The Holistic Architect - https://www.instagram.com/the_holistic_architect/Chalmers University Sweden - https://www.chalmers.seMake a difference networking - https://www.madnetwork.net/Support the showConnect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderTwitter - @JNaturalBuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderLinkedIn - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 8, 2021 • 1h 15min
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! LinksCut the Craft Podcast - https://www.cutthecraftpodcast.com/Amy Umbel - https://www.amyumbel.com/Brien Beidler - https://www.beidlermade.com/Amy Umbel - A sense of place https://www.cutthecraftpodcast.com/episodes/asenseofplaceJustin Williams Poems - https://www.instagram.com/poeticjustins/The Mick & Pat ShowJoin us for informal conversations surrounding beer, film, politics and philosophy.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showConnect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderTwitter - @JNaturalBuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderLinkedIn - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 24, 2021 • 1h 20min
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 more! If you are interested in tiny houses why not check out the Patreon exclusive episode with Flo Hamer - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability The Mick & Pat ShowJoin us for informal conversations surrounding beer, film, politics and philosophy.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showConnect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderTwitter - @JNaturalBuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderLinkedIn - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 17, 2021 • 12min
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.linkedin.com/in/taleenjosefsson/https://www.chetwoods.com/Support the showConnect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderTwitter - @JNaturalBuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderLinkedIn - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 10, 2021 • 1h 12min
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 weightFinding a place to live in the house,Moving the houseThe tiny house community Where to ask questionsThis episode has some bonus audio available at:https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainabilityAlso - If you like tiny homes, there is an exclusive tiny house episode with Flo Hamer of Flo's Tiny House on the Patreon site now. In this episode I fire all my daft questions and ideas at Flo. Along with this episode it's a great listen for anyone wanting to design and build their own tiny house. The Mick & Pat ShowJoin us for informal conversations surrounding beer, film, politics and philosophy.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showConnect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderTwitter - @JNaturalBuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderLinkedIn - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 26, 2021 • 1h 4min
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 environments, with few drawbacks. (Wikipedia)For me, finding out there is scientific evidence to show that bringing nature into your life makes you happier/healthier/better functioning was a slight surprise. In every natural building I have been in, people have talked of 'the feeling' or of calming. Having read into biophilia, it's certainly true that nature does this. What I find fascinating is the depth at which we can utilise this knowledge to create better spaces for humans to exist in - ones which bring nature in. This goes well beyond, putting some house plants in a room, but looks at views, textures, airflow, safety, shadows, patterns and so much more. I realised that biophilic design is the thread which holds together much of what i'm interested in and what these podcasts are often about. If i'm totally honest I didn't really know why I was including episodes on craft or getting into nature in this podcast. It just 'felt' connected. Now I see that it is connected! These are examples of biophilia that make happier healthier human beings. By bringing the willow basket into our lives and into our homes, offices and spaces we are connecting ourselves with nature, the place where humans thrive.Biophilic Design LinksTriodos bank free £60 - https://join.triodos.co.uk/raf/friend?code=XR6N3JQ914 Patterns of Biophilic design - https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/report/14-patterns/Rocky Mountain Institute - https://rmi.org/ US Green Building Council - https://www.usgbc.org/LEED rating system - https://www.usgbc.org/leedStephen KellertView through a window may influence recovery from surgery - Ulrich - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6143402/Recovery times in hospitals - httThe Mick & Pat ShowJoin us for informal conversations surrounding beer, film, politics and philosophy.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showConnect with me:IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilderTwitter - @JNaturalBuilderFacebook - JeffreythenaturalbuilderLinkedIn - JeffreythenaturalbuilderSupport this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.