In this episode, Cindy Angel shares her journey of building a sustainable home with her husband Shane in Lake Caddai. As a thermal performance assessor, Cindy discusses the challenges and triumphs of designing their home, emphasizing the importance of energy efficiency, healthy building principles, and collaboration with builders. She reflects on her educational background, the use of NatHERS software for energy assessments, and the lessons learned throughout the construction process. Cindy also highlights the significance of creating a home that supports well-being and the impact of building materials on health.

Episode show notes:

https://building-sciology-poddie.podcastpage.io/episode/9-health-energy-efficiency-building-what-matters-with-cindy-angel

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In this episode of the Building Sciology Poddie, I have a chat with Ken Long, the Regional Sustainability Manager at LendLease and chairperson of the Adelaide Sustainable Building Network. We discuss Ken's journey into sustainability, the role of the ASBN in promoting sustainable practices, and the importance of community engagement. Ken shares insights on the challenges of making sustainability, the significance of the Green Book as a resource, and the need for policy changes to ensure better living conditions through sustainable housing. The conversation emphasises the importance of construction details in achieving energy-efficient homes and the collective responsibility to foster a sustainable future.

Useful Links From Our Chat

Adelaide Sustainable Building Network

Solar Decathlon

Glenn Murcutt - Australian Architect

Sustainable House Day - 5th May 2025

Renew Sustainable House Day - Webinar series 2025

The Green Book

ASBN  YouTube Channel

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sustainability in Architecture

01:10 Ken's Journey into Sustainability

06:11 The Role of Education in Sustainability

09:06 The Adelaide Sustainable Building Network

14:58 Engagement and Community in Sustainability

20:17 Events and Networking Opportunities

25:17 Challenges in Promoting Sustainability

29:43 Making Sustainability Appealing

31:42 The Perception of Sustainability

35:02 Social Dynamics and Sustainability

40:12 The Green Book: A Resource for Sustainability

45:03Policy Changes for Sustainable Living

52:52Key Takeaways on Sustainable Housing

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In this episode of the Building Sciology Poddie, I speak with Sean Maxwell, the ATTMA Scheme Manager for Australia and New Zealand, about the importance of airtightness testing in building science. We chat about the role of blower door testing, the regulatory landscape surrounding airtightness, and the significance of the NatHERS star rating system. Sean shares insights from recent studies, including the CSIRO report on airtightness in Australian homes, and emphasises the need for better building practices to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality. The conversation highlights the ongoing efforts to raise awareness and drive positive change in the construction industry.

Useful links from our chat

Chapters00:00 Introduction to Airtightness and Building Science00:24 The Role of Blower Door Testing03:20 Understanding Airtightness and Its Importance06:35 Quality Control and Airtightness Testing09:34 Common Misconceptions About Airtightness12:34 Ventilation Strategies in Airtight Homes15:30 Regulatory Landscape for Airtightness Testing19:47 Building with Purpose: The Atma Philosophy22:09 The Importance of Objective Assessments in Building Quality23:27 NatHERS Ratings and the Need for Air Tightness28:07 Opportunities for Improvement in Energy Efficiency30:56 Achieving Air Tightness: Practical Strategies36:28 The Impact of Recent Studies on Building Practices41:31 Future Directions: Advocacy for Better Building Standards

Follow Building Sciology on the gram or get in touch at [email protected]!Visit the website for show notes and a full transcript and sign up to the mailing list here!Sponsor Websites

Climasure - www.climasure.com.au

Enduro Builders - www.endurobuilders.com.au

In this episode of the Building Sciology Poddie, I was incredibly privileged to have a private conversation with Dr. Joe Lstiburek, a leading figure in building science, to discuss critical issues surrounding building design, energy efficiency, and moisture management. We explored common myths in the industry, the importance of proper insulation and cladding, and the challenges posed by climate change, particularly in relation to bushfire resilience. Dr. Lstiburek emphasises the need for source control in indoor air quality and the importance of using appropriate materials in construction. Our conversation highlights the lessons learned from past mistakes in building practices and the need for innovative solutions in the future.

Useful Links from our chat

www.buildingscience.com - Dr Joe Lstibureks' website

https://research.csiro.au/bushfire/new-builds/roofs/ - Bushfire Best Practice Guide

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Building Science and Dr. Joe Lstiburek

01:41 Debunking Myths in Building Science

05:32 Render and Insulation: A Complex Relationship

11:56 Moisture Management in Building Design

18:11 Learning from Past Mistakes in Building Practices

26:39 Understanding Roof Design and Challenges

29:38 The Debate: Plywood vs OSB

32:10 Building Materials and Fire Safety

39:00Venting Issues and Building Resilience

42:10 Industry Practices and Recommendations

46:15 Legacy and Indoor Air Quality Awareness

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Visit the website for show notes and a full transcript and sig up to the mailing list here!

In this conversation, I interview Dr Nicole Bijslma about her extensive 30+year journey in building biology and her personal experiences with environmental health issues. Nicole shares how her struggles with miscarriages led her to explore the impact of homes on health, sparking a deep dive into environmental exposures, geopathic stress, and the connection between feng shui and building biology. A key focus of our chat is the critical role of mould in chronic illnesses, its remediation, and the importance of education in preventing mould-related problems in our homes. We discuss advice for homeowners and builders, emphasising timely drying after water events, carefully considered construction practices, and the urgent need for greater awareness of mould’s health impacts. With mould being alarmingly prevalent in Australian homes, it’s so important to understand proactive measures to ensure healthier living environments so I hope you enjoy our conversation! Thanks for listening!

Please leave a comment to let me know what you thought or if you have any questions!

Useful links from our chat

ACES - Australian College of Natural Sciences website

Healthy Home Healthy Family - Nicole’s best selling book

CIRS & Mould Medical Testing Information

S520 - IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mould Remediation

S500 - NSI/IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration

Mould in the Home 101 - excellent website / resource

Mould - scroll through for information on the HEPA sandwich cleaning method and more

Von Pohl -  The man who has been described as the modern 'father' of geopathic stress.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey Begins: Building Biology and Personal Experience

03:26 Environmental Impact on Health: The Role of Chemicals and EMFs

09:51 Understanding Geopathic Stress and Its Effects

16:34 Feng Shui and Building Biology: The Connection to Well-Being

20:30 Mold: The Silent Health Threat

24:16 Navigating Environmental Challenges in Modern Living

26:58 Introduction to Mould in Building Biology

29:22 Mold Remediation Techniques

32.37 Understanding Mold Conditions and Standards

35.14 Health Impacts of Mold Exposure

37.54 The Role of Construction Practices

41.16 The Importance of Education and Awareness

43.54 Practical Tips for a Healthy Home

Follow Building Sciology on the⁠ ⁠gram⁠⁠ or get in touch as [email protected]!

Visit the⁠ ⁠website⁠⁠ for show notes and a full transcript and sign up to the mailing list⁠ ⁠here⁠⁠!

In this conversation, I interview Ben Walsham, an energy efficiency consultant, about his journey from architecture to energy consulting. We discuss the importance of sustainable building practices, the impact of evolving building codes, and the need for collaboration between architects and energy consultants. Ben emphasises a human-centered approach to energy efficiency, focusing on how buildings affect the occupants' comfort and well-being. We also touch on trends in renovations, compliance pathways for energy efficiency, and the future of energy standards in the building industry.Thank for listening! Please leave a comment to let me know what you thought or if you have any questions!Useful Links from our Chatwww.arkata.auTED Talk - Unfortunately I couldn't find the exact video we talked about in this episode but here are some other great TED talks!What's a McMansion and how can we prevent more of them?How architecture can create dignity for allMinisterial Building Standard 013

Follow Building Sciology on the ⁠gram ⁠or get in touch at [email protected]!Visit the ⁠website ⁠for show notes and full transcript and sign up to the mailing list here!

In this episode, I interview Jackson Digney,  Director of Enduro Builders and South Australia's undisputed leader in energy-efficient building. We discuss Jackson's journey into sustainable building, the importance of education and quality control in the industry, and the challenges of maintaining high standards in carpentry. We chat about the performance gap in building practices and the need for continuous professional development among builders to ensure better outcomes for clients. Tune in for more!

Useful links from our chatWhat is WUFI? What is Passivhaus?Enduro BuildersSA Passivhaus Display Home WebsiteSA Passivhaus Display Home AirbnbWhat is NatHERS?What is Heat Recovery Ventilation?Chapters00:00 Introduction to Energy Efficiency in Building00:45 Jackson's Journey to Sustainable Building04:13 The Importance of Education in Building Practices07:07 Quality Control in Carpentry and Building11:26 Designing for Performance: Closing the Gap15:09 Addressing the Performance Gap in Building19:04 The Need for Continuous Professional Development20:43 Understanding Construction Pricing and Value23:11 Energy Efficiency in Building: Three Levels Explained28:01 The Importance of Thermal Bridging in Construction30:41 Navigating Mould Issues in New Homes32:18 The Role of Energy Modeling in Building DesignFollow Building Sciology on the gram or get in touch at [email protected]!Visit the website for show notes and full transcript!Join the mailing list here