House Planning Help Podcast

A reflection on living in a Passivhaus home after five years, discussing the benefits of passive house standards and the importance of experienced team members. Other topics include driveway design, skepticism about recirculating fans, incorporating a light within thermal mass, office storage transformation, unexpected costs during construction, and planning the garden.

Architectural designer Anne Thorne discusses the architectural design process of Cannock Mill Cohousing community, highlighting the importance of consulting with people and focusing on environmentally friendly materials. They explore the concept of co-housing as an intentional community, the challenges of finding a suitable site, and the technical details of timber frame construction. The chapter also discusses the design choices, functionality, and benefits of living in a passive house community.

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.

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.

Tom Gwilliam, a Sustainability Consultant at Etude, discusses the accuracy and limitations of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). They explore the lack of consistency in EPC results, the shortcomings in assessing energy efficiency, and the need for updating outdated assumptions. The chapter also mentions potential future changes in EPCs and emphasizes the importance of accurate ratings in improving existing building stock.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: