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How do we close the gap between how buildings are designed and how they actually perform?
In this episode of the Thrive in Construction Podcast, Darren Evans talks with Luke Smith, CEO of Build Test Solutions, about his journey from architectural technologist to industry innovator—developing new tools that make it easier, faster, and more accurate to measure real building performance.

Luke explains why measurement must become mainstream if we’re serious about net zero, retrofit quality, and energy efficiency and how Build Test Solutions is helping the industry move from guesswork to evidence.

Key Highlights
• From RAF Childhood to Retrofit Pioneer – Luke’s early influences, his practical mindset, and how hands-on curiosity shaped his career in sustainability and building science.
• The Birth of Build Test Solutions – How a university PhD project became Pulse, an innovative air-tightness testing system now adopted in UK building regulations.
• Beyond Air Testing – Developing a suite of new tools for measuring heat loss, ventilation, and real-world performance across homes and non-domestic buildings.
• The Performance Gap Problem – Why most new builds and retrofits don’t meet design targets—and how measurement can help bridge the gap between theory and reality.
• Measurement in Practice – How Pulse compares to blower door tests, the benefits of speed, simplicity, and accuracy, and how it’s transforming compliance testing.
• Retrofit, Heat Pumps & Reality – How measuring heat transfer and real energy use helps optimise retrofit strategies, validate carbon savings, and right-size heating systems.
• Future Home Standard & What’s Next – Why the next decade of construction will depend on measurable proof of performance—and how smart data will empower consumers, not just developers.

This conversation is essential for construction professionals, sustainability leaders, retrofit coordinators, and anyone passionate about smarter, data-driven delivery in the built environment.

If you want to see our other insightful podcasts, click here:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOHI_yaqB2U8KWbsfJDPCoYEfOh-TTnip

Find us on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dDkxLWZ25nT0krYWaTiIT
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thrive-in-construction-with-darren-evans/id1726973152
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTrzqei7gttB8WB5wM6hUpw
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/thrive-in-construction-podcast/
Our Website: https://darren-evans.co.uk/

Links:
Luke Smith's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lsmith88/
Build Test Solutions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/build-test-solutions/
Build Test Solutions Website: https://www.buildtestsolutions.com/

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