Send us a text

In this episode:
We sit down with Saul Griffith to explore his journey from metallurgy to MIT, Silicon Valley, and now leading work in policy, engineering, and sustainability. Saul shares insights on electrification, zero-emissions infrastructure, and how tradespeople are central to building a clean energy future. We also dive into innovative ideas for long-lasting homes, smarter energy markets, and practical ways Australians can trade and generate electricity.

Episode Covers:

• Electrification and the role of tradespeople in a zero-emissions future
• Reforming the electricity market to empower households
• Improving the National Construction Code and building “thousand-year homes”
• Sustainable construction materials: bricks, timber, and hybrid approaches
• Cost savings, public health, and community benefits of clean energy
• Challenges and opportunities in clean tech supply chains and domestic manufacturing
• Saul’s productivity rituals and a sneak peek at his upcoming book

Episode Highlights:

• Saul criticizes star ratings for homes and proposes energy efficiency measured in kilowatt hours per square meter per person
• Discussion on Australians trading solar power peer-to-peer
• Vision for long-lasting, durable, zero-emission homes
• Fun rapid-fire questions: favorite sports teams, snacks, and music preferences
• Insights into upcoming book and Substack updates

Perfect for:

• Sustainability enthusiasts and clean energy advocates
• Tradespeople and engineers interested in electrification
• Policy makers and innovators in energy and infrastructure
• Anyone curious about practical solutions for a zero-emission future

Send us a text

In this episode, Jennifer Snyders, President of the Bamboo Society of Australia, shares her journey from indifference to advocacy for bamboo in sustainable construction, environmental restoration, and carbon reduction. Born into a bamboo legacy—her father founded House of Bamboo in 1972—Jennifer explains how this fast-growing, renewable material can transform Australia’s building landscape.

Simon Clark highlights bamboo as a potential solution to construction supply challenges, noting its impressive CO₂ sequestration, rapid growth, and soil remediation. Jennifer also explores the development of structural bamboo in Australia, showing how engineered bamboo (CLB/LVB) could be a faster, sustainable, termite-resistant alternative to traditional timber.

Growing and Using Bamboo in Australia:

• Bamboo seeds rarely (once every 100–150 years); propagation is usually through cuttings.
• Species thrive in diverse climates—from snow to temperate cities like Melbourne.
• Clumping bamboo prevents uncontrolled spreading.
• Bamboo is ideal for screens, landscaping, carbon offset, and building materials.
• The Bamboo Society (bamboo.org.au) lists growers and suppliers nationwide.

Barriers to Adoption:
Outdated perceptions, regulatory gaps, and misconceptions about bamboo as “non-structural” are slowing its uptake. Jennifer emphasizes engineered bamboo, performance-based standards, and carbon reduction targets to drive mainstream adoption.

Episode Highlights:

•  From bamboo newbie to advocate for sustainable building
• Carbon storage, oxygen boost, and soil/water remediation benefits
• Fast-growing, termite-resistant structural bamboo for construction
• Works with timber machinery and plantations—collaboration potential
• Tackling perception, scaling, and regulatory hurdles

Bamboo is a fast-growing, sustainable solution for construction, landscaping, and environmental restoration. Jennifer’s insights reveal its untapped potential and how performance-based engineering could make bamboo a mainstream building material in Australia.

Brought to you by:
Thermotek (Platinum sponsor), Binq and Live Life Build (Gold sponsors)

Send us a text

In this episode, Simon Clark and Brian Guinan chat with Emma Sutcliffe, Director of EV Firesafe, about the realities of electric vehicle (EV) fire safety. Emma shares how losing her plug-in hybrid in a 2018 bushfire inspired her mission to protect emergency responders, educate the public, and advance EV safety research in Australia.

Dive behind the scenes of EV fire testing, from controlled burns in Perth to large-scale experiments with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in the U.S. Emma explains EV battery longevity, recycling, and repurposing, and reveals insights from a Tesla Model Y crash investigation. She also highlights the need for more Australian-based EV battery recycling facilities.

The episode also explores Defence electrification projects, including the world-first electric Bushmaster armored vehicle, and wraps up with a fun rapid-fire round where Emma shares her favorite home design tips, music, and Tim Tam hacks.

Episode Covers:

• Expert insights into EV fire safety and battery testing
• Behind-the-scenes look at EV battery recycling and repurposing
• Tesla Model Y crash investigation and lessons learned
• Electrification of the Bushmaster armored vehicle in Australia

Episode Highlights:

• How a bushfire inspired Emma’s mission for EV fire safety
• Controlled burns in Perth and full-scale EV tests in the U.S.
• Challenges of end-of-life EV batteries and recycling solutions
• World-first electric Bushmaster and Defence innovation
• Rapid-fire fun: passive solar homes, Celtic music, and Tim Tams

Perfect for EV owners, first responders, sustainability advocates, and Australian innovation enthusiasts, this episode covers everything you need to know about EV safety, battery management, and future-proofing our electric mobility.

Brought you by: Weathertex (Platinum Sponsor), Evitat and Hydrowood ( Gold Sponsors)

Send us a text

In Episode 49 of The Sustainable Builders Yak, we’re joined by Joel Seagren, National Mechanical Ventilation Engineer at Fantech, to unpack the critical (and often overlooked) role of ventilation in high-performance homes.

With a background in mechanical engineering, renewable energy, and a Master’s in building sustainability, Joel brings decades of experience to this conversation — from consulting on daylight modeling in the early 2000s to becoming a NatHERS assessor and championing heat recovery ventilation (HRV) in Australian homes.

This episode covers:

• The science of air tightness, energy efficiency, and healthy indoor air
• Why 6 air changes per hour is a benchmark for installing HRVs
• The difference between NatHERS and Passive House modeling
• The limitations of relying on window ventilation in Australia’s energy code
• The evolving National Construction Code (NCC) requirements around mechanical ventilation
• The need for a standardized testing method in high-performance construction
• New Zealand modeling data showing the energy-saving benefits of HRVs

Whether you're a builder, architect, or energy consultant, this is a must-listen if you're working on airtight, efficient, and healthy homes in the Australian climate.

🧭 Episode Highlights:

• Joel’s engineering background and sustainability journey
• The evolution of ventilation standards in Australia
• HRVs, airtightness, and indoor air quality explained
• Comparing NatHERS vs Passive House modeling systems
• Industry push for testing standards and updated building codes
• Moisture control, filtration, and the future of ventilation

🎙️ Brought to you by:

• Hygge Windows
• Webber Insurance
• NeXTimber
  
  

Send us a text

How many hours have you wasted quoting jobs that never go ahead?

In this episode of The Sustainable Builders Yak, we’re joined by Richard Armstrong, a former Melbourne renovation builder who turned over a decade of hard-earned experience — and frustration — into innovation. After 15 years working on extensions and renovations across inner-city Melbourne, Richard saw firsthand how vague budgets, mismatched expectations, and time-wasting quotes were burning out good builders.

So, he built a solution: Procalc — a powerful feasibility tool that helps builders qualify clients early, set realistic budgets, and stop wasting time on projects that were never going to stack up.

Procalc now draws on data from over 35,000 real builder projects, delivering 93% cost accuracy even without plans. It’s changing the way builders have that all-important first conversation with clients — bringing more clarity, confidence, and credibility to the table.

Whether you’re a builder, designer, or consultant, this episode is packed with real-world insight on how to work smarter, quote less, and win more of the right kind of jobs.

📌 This episode covers:

• The real cost of vague briefs and unqualified leads
• How Procalc helps builders quote less and win more
• Using data (not guesswork) to manage client expectations
• Why feasibility studies should happen before design
• Building trust with clients, architects, and designers
• A new approach to sustainable, profitable building

🧭 Episode Highlights:

• Richard’s journey from builder to software creator
• The lessons (and pain) that inspired Procalc
• The surprising accuracy of 35,000+ real project data points
• Qualifying clients without needing full plans
• Using Procalc’s carbon calculator to guide sustainable choices
• Builder burnout, value management, and better conversations
• Quick-fire fun: Geelong Cats, R&B playlists & Anzac biscuits

 Brought to you by:

• McCormacks Australia
• JP Sustainable Homes
• Valley Windows

Send us a text

In this episode, we’re joined by Jesse Raeburn, a former Block contestant, and real estate agent turned builder, who is now creating high-performance, sustainable homes in Melbourne.

Jesse shares his journey from starting as a tiler in Queensland to transitioning into real estate, and eventually following his passion for building. He reflects on the valuable lessons he learned along the way — including the importance of building strong relationships with agents, and how choosing the right clients can help avoid unnecessary stress and ensure a smoother build process.

We explore key principles of sustainable construction such as airtightness, insulation, and long-term cost savings, and dive into how public perception around energy-efficient homes is slowly changing. Jesse also explains how his background in real estate shaped his understanding of the market, and why education plays a crucial role in shifting both client expectations and industry standards.

This conversation offers great insight for builders, designers, and industry professionals looking to better understand the intersection of sustainability, construction, and client engagement.

🎙️ This podcast is proudly sponsored by:

 Ultimate Windows & Futurebuilder– Platinum Sponsors
 Rylock Windows & Doors– Gold Sponsor

Stay sharp and stay sustainable.

Send us a text

The Australian construction industry is recognizing the importance of weather resistant and vapour permeable building wraps. A correctly applied building wrap goes a long way to creating a resilient home protecting the building structure from water penetrating into the structure.

In this conversation with Jesse Clarke, ProClima's Innovation and Research & Development Manager we dive deep into the science involved for a highly resilient and high-performing building envelope.

This podcast is sponsored by Performance Membranes, Eco Homes Group &
Efficiency Matrix

Send us a text

Jeremy McLeod a ground-breaking Architect the entire built environment community can learn from.

We talk all things sustainable architect and sustainable construction.

This episode is brough to you by Holcim, Valley Windows & Crafted Hardwood

If you're looking for a renewable energy provider try Momentum Energy

The Sustainable Builders Yak has no affiliation with Momentum Energy, though we'd love to get in touch.

Send us a text

A conversation with Nathan Mawby, Property Journalist from the Herald Sun and Realestate.com where we discuss consumer trends with property sustainability.

This episode is brought to you by Weathertex, Wunderbuild & Vapourseal

Builders, Designers & Architects; Sign up to be an Sustainable Builders Alliance member via https://www.thesba.com.au/signup

Send us a text

Meet Dave Hurley - a sharp, detail-driven carpenter who’s raising the bar on what it means to build better. 

In this episode, we unpack what separates true high-performance construction from the rest. 

We explore the build details most people miss - and why once you see them, you can’t unsee them. 

This episode is sponsored by HazardCo, Proclima, Recycle All