What do heat pump water heaters, ERVs, and low static VRF systems have in common? You’re picturing them and we’re talking about them! Join Kristof in a wide-ranging discussion of building science topics with consultant John Semmelhack of Think Little. 

John Semmelhack is the owner of Think Little. He is a Certified Passive House Consultant, a member of the Passive House Institute U.S. (PHIUS) Technical Committee, and is a PHIUS Trainer for the Certified Passive House Consultant and PHIUS+ Rater training programs. He sits on the boards of the Passive House Alliance U.S. (PHAUS) and the Passive House Alliance U.S. – Capital Chapter.

John is also a certified Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater, a Technical Advisor to builders in the EarthCraft House Virginia green building program, and a BPI-certified Building Analyst. He is a graduate of the Leeds School of Business (no, not that “LEED”) at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

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If you're a human being and you live indoors, this podcast is more relevant to your life than you probably ever knew. Exploring the ways building science helps humans thrive in the built environment.

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Big news! The Humid Climate Conference is coming back to ATX and it’s time for some appropriate FOMO. We’re just two weeks out. You will be so glad you made the decision to come to HCC in ATX. Both the technical knowledge and perspectives you’ll hear, as well as the realization and experience of the power, vitality and unstoppability of the growing community of folks in the AEC that are stepping up to move our industry and our society forward. 

The theme for HCC’24 is Transitions. The  work we do in the world as architects, developers, builders, trades, and even owners is important and it is also going through a series of transitions that together represent an altogether new way of delivering buildings to clients and communities. The Energy Transition, the refrigerant transition, the transition to lower carbon designs, both embodied and operational, are all “in play” right now. Now is the time to learn about them from visionary thought leaders and boots on the ground who are both showcasing these transitions and helping make them happen. 

Here’s the HCC website and here’s the link to buy tickets. 

Code to get $50 off is shared on the podcast!

Our First PSA, Humid Climate Conference in Austin, May 6-7!

Today’s episode opens up the system of systems that delivers the materials, equipment and tools we use to deliver high quality homes and buildings to ourselves. The focus is on an novel ultrasonic leak detection system. This is potentially game-changing technology that impacts the ability to confidently deliver Passive House quality air control layers. Along the way you’ll learn about the importance of the air barrier and get a glimpse of the vastness of the AEC. This is an expansive episode that covers the human side of what it will take to get us from high quality designs to high performance finished projects - and ultimately to high quality lived experiences for occupants and owners. 
If you appreciate the ideas you hear on our podcast, Humid Climate Conference is the conference and the community you’re looking for.

Ultrasonics Comes to Market

What if it’s true that “We can not solve our problems using the same level of thinking that created them”(1)? Could it be that a building science understanding is limited? Could it be that even the clarity of understanding we gain through the building science perspective - as a collection of systems, assemblies, materials and products interacting according to the laws of science and nature - is necessary but not sufficient to cause us to build that way? Using that concept as a lens, this episode expands the systems-of-systems view of buildings to search for ways to get unstuck. Anyone working in the AEC knows that the barriers to change are solid and weighty. This is the what motivates the search for Leverage. We need leverage to multiply the force we can exert to cause change to happen in the AEC. Following the insights from Donella Meadows(2), we focus on the concept of Leverage Points - those “places within a complex system where a small change in one area can have pervasive positive impacts”. Please join us for this rich and thoughtful exploration of what it takes to bring the future we want into the present we have. Bring your caring hearts and curious minds and let’s have some fun!

Next Level Leverage

Residential builders are where the rubber meets the road when it comes to delivering houses to society. Because of this, the builder perspective in the industry is tremendously important and impactful. Then again, it’s also true that, even within the same market, builders don’t all build the same way - why is this? How do we, as a society decide between the option? Are there ways of building that are objectively better than others? In this episode Kristof sits down w/ Josh Salinger of Birdsmouth Construction to attempt to unpack that question. The answers may surprise you - enjoy!

Don’t forget you can comment on podcasts on our website as well as leave us reviews and suggest topics and speakers for future episodes.

Houses are Made of Stories

“Engineering and science is poised to deliver a whole new thing to the world but the world isnt ready to ask” - Luke Leung  (Not sure about adding the quote?)

As a society, we have entered a time where the roles of architects and engineers are converging; form and function inextricably interwoven. The role of the engineer, in particular, is due for an upgrade. It’s time to rethink norms, retool design processes, and reimagine the appropriate. Fundamentally, the role of the engeering in the AEC is poised to both expand and deepen. In this episode Luke Leung of SOM shows us all what it’s like to approach one’s role in society with an expanded and deepened perspective. 

Luke is an”engineeers engineer” who is also gifted speaker who thinks deeply and expansively. If you haven’t heard him speak recently you’re in for a treat today. Chances are good that you’ll leave this episode thinking “if only more engineers could channel their inner Yoda or MLK like that”. Starting with a century old quote about the importance of teaching and understanding entropy, Luke and Kristof expand on LCA concepts in a way that shows their full potential, breadth and significance. 

Along the way exploring ideas like these:

What if the concept of entropy was actually central to understanding the life cycle impacts of buildings?

What if the best thing “to do” to help move society forward in regards to the way we deliver buildings to ourselves was “to understand” the decisions we make more fully?

What if humanity’s interaction with the geobiosphere involves far more than just carbon emissions? 

What if our homes and buildings directly supported human thriving; both for the outer environment and for our inner lived experience?

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