House Planning Help Podcast

House Planning Help Podcast episodes:

• 05.08.2024

  HPH351: Creating affordable, high quality, low carbon homes - with Linda Farrow

  Linda Farrow from Agile Homes explains how their prefabricated panelised system can deliver high quality and truly affordable homes that are good for the planet. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 04.27.2024

  HPH350: What is value engineering?

  Ben Adam-Smith explains what value engineering is and how it can help us to do more with less. He reflects on a short video about Slate House in Herefordshire that includes some great examples of value engineering. Check out the...

  
• 04.10.2024

  HPH349: Timber build approaches – with Meredith Bowles

  Meredith Bowles from Mole Architects shares his experience working with timber as a construction material and explains the benefits and drawbacks of the different build approaches. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 03.27.2024

  HPH348: Why do homes get mould? – with Alexx Stuart

  Alexx Stuart from Low Tox Life shares her experiences of toxic mould exposure and offers some advice on how best to keep your home healthy and mould free. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 03.13.2024

  HPH347: Common pitfalls to avoid when building a house – with Amelia Lee

  Amelia Lee from Undercover Architect shares some common themes that tend to crop up on owner-builder projects (particularly with people who are doing this for the first time) and explains how they can be avoided by creating a clear foundation...

  
• 02.28.2024

  HPH346: Passivhaus homes where cooling is a key consideration – with Andy Marlow

  Andy Marlow from Envirotecture explains why Passivhaus homes are a good fit for most climates in Australia, how they approach these projects and what is needed beyond shading to keep the homes comfortable when the outdoor temperatures soar. Check out...

  
• 02.14.2024

  HPH345: Why is the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) such a useful tool? – with Sarah Lewis

  Sarah Lewis, the Research and Policy Director at the UK Passivhaus Trust and author of PHPP Illustrated, explains what the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is and how it is used during the design process. Check out the show notes...

  
• 01.31.2024

  HPH344: Hazel Tree Passivhaus – with Janice Gardiner

  Janice Gardiner, an ecologist and the client of last week’s interviewee Josh Wood at Green Trace Architect, is here to tell us what it is like to be the client on a Passivhaus project and share what she has learnt from...

  
• 01.17.2024

  HPH343: A low cost eco home on a challenging infill plot – with Josh Wood

  Architect Josh Wood gives us an insight into his own self build project, where the balance between keeping costs low and creating a sustainable home have pushed him to come up with creative solutions. By undergoing most of the work...

  
• 01.03.2024

  HPH342: How to incorporate reused materials on a self build - with Kirsty Maguire

  Architect Kirsty Maguire explains why reusing an existing building is always preferable to demolishing and rebuilding. However, when buildings are in terrible condition or need radical alterations to make them habitable we should be looking to reuse, recycle and reclaim...

  
• 12.20.2023

  HPH341: Should embodied carbon or energy efficiency be our priority? – with Jae Cotterell

  Jae Cotterell, founder of Passivhaus Homes, explains the importance of the choices we make when considering our construction approach. It is possible to create a high performance home with low embodied carbon that doesn't cost the earth if we understand...

  
• 12.08.2023

  HPH340: How to reclaim VAT on a self build or conversion - with Andrew Jones

  Andrew Jones explains how to reclaim VAT on a self build home or conversion as well as sharing some common pitfalls to avoid. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 11.27.2023

  HPH339: What is the Housebuilder's Bible? - with Mark Brinkley

  Mark Brinkley, author of the Housebuilder's Bible, explains how his book can guide you towards building a better home. He also shares some of the themes that have cropped up while he's been editing the latest edition. Check out the...

  
• 11.09.2023

  HPH338: How to measure and monitor the performance of a home - with Luke Smith

  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.

  
• 10.25.2023

  HPH337: Wind power and solar power - past, present and future

  Dr. Derek Taylor talks about advances in wind and solar power over the last 50 years. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 10.11.2023

  HPH336 : Ben's Passivhaus 5 years on

  Ben Adam-Smith marks five years of living in his Passivhaus home by reflecting on his self build journey and what the house has been like to live in. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 09.27.2023

  HPH335 : Designing an intentional community - with Anne Thorne

  Anne Thorne talks through the architectural design process of Cannock Mill Cohousing community. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 09.13.2023

  HPH334 : Combining smart home technology with energy efficiency – with Jonathan Dixon

  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.

  
• 07.14.2023

  HPH333 : What is the One Planet Development scheme? - with Brendan and Ludka Powell

  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.

  
• 05.03.2023

  HPH332 : How accurate are Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)? – with Tom Gwilliam

  Tom Gwilliam explains what Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are, how they are created and why they are unlikely to be a useful measure of how energy efficient a building is. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 04.12.2023

  HPH331 : What is a mechanical services engineer? – with Alan Clarke

  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.

  
• 03.29.2023

  HPH330 : What is a planning consultant? – with Andy Moger

  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.

  
• 03.15.2023

  HPH329 : What does a structural engineer do? – with Beth Williams

  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.

  
• 03.01.2023

  HPH328 : Insulating internally with a thin layer of wood fibre board - with Martin Twamley from Steico

  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.

  
• 02.15.2023

  HPH327 : Upskilling in DIY during a home retrofit – with Es Tresidder

  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:    

  
• 02.01.2023

  HPH326 : Is it worth upskilling your knowledge of Passivhaus? – with Simon Bell

  Landscape Architect and Director of HLM Architects, Simon Bell, explains why he decided to upskill when it came to building his own house. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 01.18.2023

  HPH325 : What reduces the performance of insulation? – with Mark Siddall

  Mark Siddall explains how thermal bypass – or air movement around insulation layers – might impact a self-build or retrofit project. Check out the show notes for more information.  

  
• 01.04.2023

  HPH324 : Why robust planning is vital for a home retrofit in stages – with Alan Budden

  Alan Budden explains how a phased retrofit might work and what preparation is required. He also shares how he's retrofitted his own home, which includes trialling an innovative roof solution. Check out the show notes for more information. 

  
• 11.16.2022

  HPH323 : Can I heat my home with an air source heat pump? – with Nathan Gambling

  Influential podcaster and heating systems expert, Nathan Gambling, explains why choosing the right installer is even more important than selecting the heat pump. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 11.02.2022

  HPH322 : An EnerPHit standard retrofit of a Victorian mid terrace home – with Guy Hargreaves

  Homeowner Guy Hargreaves reflects on adapting and expanding his Victorian mid terrace home, retrofitting the whole building to EnerPHit standard. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 08.31.2022

  HPH321 : How do you make an existing home energy efficient? – with Paul Ciniglio

  With price hikes being caused by the volatile energy sector, Paul Ciniglio from the National Energy Foundation explains what we can be doing to our homes to reduce our energy consumption and be better protected from rising bills. Check out...

  
• 08.17.2022

  HPH320 : Precision-cut timber frames – with Antoine Costantini from Kithurst Homes

  Antoine Costantini explains how Kithurst Homes has embraced modern cutting technology to increase efficiency and minimise waste. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 07.22.2022

  HPH319 : Natural materials and healthy homes – with Tom Woolley

  Architect, educator and builder, Tom Woolley, takes us through some of the natural construction materials we should be using to build healthier homes. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 06.27.2022

  HPH318 : Do I need a structural warranty for my self build home?

  Jake Fitness of Self Build Zone explains what a structural warranty is, and why you might need one on your self build or renovation project. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 06.17.2022

  HPH317 : Getting ambitious with sustainability – with Kit Knowles from Ecospheric

  Kit Knowles from Ecospheric explains why he is driven to keep pushing further in pursuit of sustainability in building projects. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 05.25.2022

  HPH316 : Why we must embrace sufficiency – with Lloyd Alter

  Lloyd Alter explains how we can take personal actions to address our own carbon footprints, and why it's more important to do so than ever. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 05.11.2022

  HPH315 : Simplifying the delivery of high performance, sustainable homes – with Mike Jacob

  Mike Jacob explains how Kiss House is using timber component based production to deliver homes to the Passivhaus standard. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 04.13.2022

  HPH314 : Getting a self build over the finish line, despite setbacks – with Mike Coe

  Mike Coe gives a final update on his now complete Portree Passivhaus, that has seen budgets stretched, contractors disappear for a year, and a Covid lockdown! Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 03.18.2022

  HPH313 : What input might an engineer have for a Passivhaus self build? – with Gwilym Still

  Gwilym Still, of Max Fordham engineers, explains how good planning and simplicity can improve a home's performance. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 03.04.2022

  HPH312 : Building a tiny house with natural materials – with Jeffrey Hart

  Jeffrey Hart, natural builder and host of the Building Sustainability Podcast, explains what he's learnt designing and crafting his own tiny house.

  
• 02.09.2022

  HPH311 : Should we celebrate architecture that performs poorly?

  Richard Hawkes from Hawkes Architecture reviews the Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) of the RIBA House of the Year longlist and asks why we are showcasing poorly performing architecture. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 01.17.2022

  HPH310 : Important takeaways from an exemplar straw panel Passivhaus

  Juraj Mikurcik, Nick Grant and Mike Whitfield reflect on the award-winning Old Holloway project, which is built with EcoCocon straw panels and is a certified Passivhaus. Check out the show notes for more information. 

  
• 12.01.2021

  HPH309 : Keeping costs down by embracing simplicity – with Kirk Rushby and Polly Upton

  Architects Polly Upton and Kirk Rushby explain how they used their expertise to deliver a striking, high performance home for a very reasonable budget. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 11.04.2021

  HPH308 : Testing the thermal performance of a house – with Tom Fenton from Veritherm

  Tom Fenton from Veritherm explains how to test the thermal performance of a home, what this data can reveal and how it can then be used. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 10.20.2021

  HPH307 : Can you have integrity as a housing developer? – with Mike Webb

  Mike Webb explains why he chose to build to high ecological standards even though he could've made more money by just complying with building regulations. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 09.28.2021

  HPH306 : Building an exceptional house beyond the walled garden – with Nigel Dutt

  Nigel Dutt tells the self build story behind Devon Passivhaus, a Paragraph 55 build. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 09.08.2021

  HPH305 : Building a Passivhaus with cross-laminated timber – with Mick Woolley

  Mick Woolley explains how the use of timber was a key element of his award-winning Passivhaus bungalow. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 08.25.2021

  HPH304 : What are digitally manufactured houses? – with Bruce Bell from Facit Homes

  Bruce Bell, founder of Facit Homes, explains why digital manufacturing has a lot to offer in the future of house-building. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 05.12.2021

  HPH303 : What does it take to project manage your house build? – with David Arrenberg

  David Arrenberg explains why he wanted to project manage his self build, what the work entailed and how much of his time it took. Check out the show notes for more information.

  
• 05.05.2021

  HPH302 : A contemporary Passivhaus home in a rural context – with Martin McCrae and Mhairi Grant

  Mhairi Grant and Martin McCrae share their self build journey. Their contemporary home seems to have it all, from striking design and great ecological credentials to high quality finish and value for money... but Martin and Mhairi had to work...