Have you ever heard of building biology? It’s the crucial understanding of environmental triggers that may be affecting the health of a home and the people living within it. From electromagnetic fields to chemicals released from building materials. Ensuring that Blairgowrie House promoted well-being inside as well as having a low impact on the external environment was hugely important for Dan and Dani. The guys are joined by building biologist and founder of Ecolibria, Raphael Siket, to discuss how we too can have a healthier home.

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(01:00) Recapping one of the biggest days on site.

(02:31) Welcome building biologist, Raphael Siket from Ecolibria.

(02:50) What is a building biologist?

(05:31) Understanding the extent and sources of indoor pollution.

(08:00) Using nature as the benchmark for air quality and a home's healthiness. 

(15:45) Saying goodbye to fabric softeners and chemically engineered fragrances.

(21:40) Why is Australia late to the party on heat recovery ventilation systems?

(29:00) Explaining EMFs (electromagnetic fields).

For more visit Manna Made.

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We’re rounding off this chapter with the building designer behind Blairgowrie House, Sam from Bellhaus Design Office. What’s the difference between an architect and a building designer? And what about a draftsperson? Building is an incredible experience, but it can also be a major headache and an epic beast! Sam gives us a full low down of who and what you may need if you’re thinking of building in Australia, and the expert help that can take a load off your mind. As Dan and Dani settle into Blairgowrie House, they wrap up the series by reflecting on what makes it feel like a home.

Want to see more? Now check out the web series here!

This Episode was brought to you by Sleepmaker.

(01:10) Welcome building designer, Sam from Bellhaus Design Office.

(01:37) What’s the difference between an architect, a building designer, and a draftsperson?

(06:10) Unpacking the Bellhaus Design Office process and the stages of working with a building designer.

(07:55) The restrictions and planning control factored into the Blairgowrie House project.

(13:38) Getting a sense of scale with a life-size walk-through of your plans.

(15:20) The realities and complexities of town planning and expert tips to speed the process along.

(23:00) The role of a building surveyor, why we need them, and how to choose the right one for you.

(27:45) The challenging brief elements for Blairgowrie House.

(33:25) Containing costs with a simple form and material selection.

(35:15) Sam’s take on the most successful element of the home.

For more, visit Manna Made.

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We’re cracking on with the Landscaping! Dan and Dani are joined by an old mate from the Block, Dave Franklin from Franklin Landscape and Design. Dave explains the realities of landscape design, how you can get the most value out of your design budget and the unfortunate fate of many clients; a budget maxed out that generally means the landscaping is the first thing foregone! Dan and Dani talk us through the landscape concept for Blairgowrie house and the process of executing the design on their own.

Want to see more? Now check out the web series here!

(02:10) Welcome Dave Franklin from Franklin Landscape and Design.

(02:40) Reminiscing about friendship origins on The Block Australia.

(05:30) The easy decision to bring Dave on board the Blairgowrie project.

(06:22) Stepping through the process of appointing a landscaper to your build.

(11:00) How much money should you reserve for landscaping?

(15:00) Saving money with plants and patience.

(16:09) The importance of flexibility in your concept design.

(17:30) Making use of online marketplaces for cheap buys.

(20:50) Critical design features in every landscaping job.

(25:40) Sustainable landscaping and Franklin Landscape and Design’s environmental practices. 

For more visit Manna Made.

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Let’s dive right in, shall we? Jordan Toyne makes a splash on the scene to chat about precast concrete plunge pools, that have become affectionately known as Plungie. This innovative re-imagining of pool infrastructure is pioneering the future of swimming pools, by allowing builders more control over their projects and Australian's a faster, easier, and more often than not, cost-effective solution to years of summer lovin' backyard fun. Dan and Dani talk us through the process of dropping a Plungie pool into Blairgowrie’s backyard.

Want to see more? Now check out the web series here!

This episode was brought to you by Plungie.

(02:30) Why a pool in Blairgowrie House? Dani explains the benefits of adding a pool to their project.

(04:00) Welcome Jordan Toyne from Plungie Australia.

(04:20) What is a Plungie pool and why is it a market standout? 

(06:15) The range of precast Plungies available.

(07:45) Blairgowrie’s Plungie process.

(12:10) Behind the scenes of craning in a Plungie and the site constraints to consider.

(18:45) Talking prices and extra factors to consider.

(21:28) Plungie Australia’s sustainability practices.

For more, visit Manna Made.

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From doors to floors! Dan and Dani share their thought process behind what elements they let shine and what they keep subdued to achieve their overall design intention, as well as the power of the one per cent details that can make all the difference to the look and feel to an interior of a home. And what in the heck are engineered floorboards? Andy Sutherland from Made By Storey gives us the low down on how crafted timber floors can enrich the way we interact with space.

Want to see more? Now check out the web series here!

(02:30) Dan explains how ezyjams work to create seamless-looking doors. 

(06:00) Dan and Dani explain how they divide and conquer the roles of building Blairgowrie house.

(09:10) Considerations and “healthy discussions” around floorboards.

(10:30) Welcome Andy Sutherland from Made By Storey.

(12:30) Andy explains the Made by Storey collections available. 

(15:60) The benefits of engineered floorboards over the traditional option.

(16:45) What exactly are engineered floorboards?

(23:30) Unpacking Blairgowrie’s touch collection floorboards.

(27:10) Key sustainability principles that make The Flooring Storey different.

For more, visit Manna Made.

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We’re locking up! Blairgowrie House has officially hit the halfway mark. A builder's favourite part (or is it just Dan’s favourite part?) The clock is ticking to get everything right, including windows! They’re big and expensive, yet a fundamental element to any home. Dan and Dani talk us through their inspirations and decision-making process when choosing windows for Blairgowrie House, and Eugene Salerno from Element Windows breaks down the logistics of window systems and his company's involvement in the build.

Want to see more? Now check out the web series here!

(02:00) The joys of hitting the lock-up stage.

(04:35) Welcoming Eugene Salerno from Element Windows.

(05:00) What are thermally broken windows?

(08:00) The aesthetic benefits of having no subsill on your windows.

(11:30) The importance of following protocol to save you in the long run and conducting your thermal assessment before preliminary quotes.

(15:30) The environmental, cost and time benefits of choosing a local window supplier.

(19:10) Eugene shares the sustainability practices of Element Windows.

(22:30) Dan’s favourite window in Blairgowrie House.

For more visit Manna Made.

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We’re stepping inside! Dan and Dani crack on with the finer details of the interior. Interior design choices are a huge part of what gives a house it's individual personality and transform it into a home, but without the right skill set, the process can quickly become overwhelming. Nikki Chappell an Interior Designer from the Manna Made team joins us to talk us through the differences between interior design, decoration, and interior styling, and what the process looks like when working with a client to help them create their dream space.  

(02:00) The joys of hitting the lock-up stage.

Want to see more? Now check out the web series here!

(02:50) Dan and Dani on insulating Blairgowrie House themselves.

(06:30) Welcome interior designer Nikki from Manna Made.

(06:45) What’s the difference between an interior decorator, an interior designer, and a stylist?

(13:40) What it looks like to work with an expert interior designer.

(18:20) The seven stages of Manna Made interior design.

(26:35) Unpacking the cost of interior design expertise in real terms.

(27:45) Sourcing sustainably driven businesses and Australian-made furniture.

For more, visit Manna Made.

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Frame stage! The walls are up and the build is coming alive. The duo explain the importance of this milestone in any build, as it’s time to lock down any final changes ahead of the next stages with pre-rough-in walk-throughs, and ponder questions like, how will light move through the house? And what about light placement? Danielle Mastro, co- founder of Lights, Lights, Lights joins the conversation with her unrivaled expertise and in-depth knowledge of lighting psychology and the 'why' behind it all.

Want to see more? Now check out the web series here!

This Episode was brought to you by Legrand.

(01:45) The significance of the reaching frame stage as a milestone in any build. 

(05:50) Welcoming Danielle Mastro from Lights, Lights, Lights.

(07:00) Unpacking the lighting approach of Blairgowrie House.

(08:45) Why lighting is so critical to the look and feel of a home.

(13:00) The end-to-end process of working with Lights, Lights, Lights.

(26:00) Getting creative when lighting Blairgowries' unique office space.

(33:35) Lighting the entrance and the stairwell.

For more visit Manna Made.

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For Dan and Dani, building a home that was as sustainable as possible was a top priority, as it is for many people building in 2022. But making conscious selections by no means limits aesthetics and comfort, and it certainly doesn’t have to break the bank! With the help of Darren Parker from Greenest House, together they unpack in real talk what it looks like to build with sustainability as a focus to future-proof their home, and the selections they made around key products and specification to achieve this. 

Want to see more? Now check out the web series here!

(03:30) Introducing Daren Parker from Greenest House.

(04:15) How to build a healthy home and when you should bring in sustainability experts.

(07:00) Harnessing with the elements to control your thermal rating.

(10:00) Daren's involvement in building Blairgowrie House.

(19:15) Designing with the future in mind and the importance of solar-friendly roofs.

(20:45) Factoring in the rising cost of building materials and increased sustainability requirements.

(30:30) Key design tips to maximize the efficiency of a home.

For more visit Manna Made.

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Dan takes us through the nitty-gritty of building and construction elements, and the choices they made when designing the bones of Blairgowrie house, including a revolutionary sub floor system. Plus 3rd generation brick maker, Klynton Krause, from Krause Bricks joins the podcast to unpack the incredible art of handmade bricks, from traditional craftsmanship methods passed down through generations and the modern innovations revolutionising the heart of building.

Want to see more? Now check out the web series here!

(02:21) The ease and benefits of choosing a spantec sub-floor system.

(04:15) Welcome Klynton Krause from Krause Bricks.

(05:10) Specification, inspirations, and the bricks of Blairgowrie House.

(09:28) Character over uniformity in brick choice and arrangement.

(11:00) A brief history of Krause Bricks and their unique process.

(13:13) The incredible traditional of brick making by hand.

(17:50) Getting creative with leftover bricks by turning them into pathways.

(22:05) Talking Krause Bricks sustainability practices. 

For more visit Manna Made

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