House Planning Help Podcast

Mark Brinkley, author of the Housebuilder's Bible, discusses the purpose and content of the book. He explores building a dream house including gas boiler vs heat pump, layout design, and managing overheating. Researching for ideas is explored along with the challenges of finding reliable information. The increasing costs of building, tips for keeping costs down, and advancements in building comfortable houses like the passive house movement are discussed.

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.

Dr. Derek Taylor discusses the progress in wind and solar power over the last 50 years. He explores the historical use and advancements in solar power, including the development of solar photovoltaics. The podcast also covers the history and challenges of wind power, and reflects on the growth and potential of these renewable energy sources.

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.