House Planning Help Podcast

HPH399: The Good Building Book – with Jon Broome and Nick Grant

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 13 May 2026 15:58:00 +0000

Jon Broome and Nick Grant explain why they have written The Good Building Book, what's in it, who it will help and how best to put it all into practice.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH398: What does it take to create a bio-based Passivhaus? – with Janna and Seb Laan Lomas

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 15:25:00 +0000

Janna and Seb Laan Lomas explain the ethos behind their self build which blends low energy design and natural building while reducing plastics in the construction and also minimising waste. The level of detail, the decisions made and the careful use of the budget have been instrumental in delivering this fantastic project, which makes a great home for them as well as a site that encourages wildlife.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH397: Sheep's wool insulation and other natural fibre options – with Mark Lynn

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:04:00 +0000

Mark Lynn from Eden Renewable Innovations explains how sheep's wool insulation is made, outlines the pros and cons, and suggests how it is best specified and installed. He also shares some common traits of natural fibre insulation as a category.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH396: Getting planning permission for a replacement dwelling – with Mark Doodes

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:10:00 +0000

Mark Doodes from Mark Doodes Planning explains what we mean by applying for planning permission to demolish and rebuild a house, how it is done, what some of the challenges might be and how to do as much as possible to improve your chances of a successful outcome.

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HPH395: How easy is it to insure a natural building? – with Dr. James Glockling

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:36:00 +0000

Dr. James Glockling explains how insurance works and outlines some of the challenges of insuring a natural building.

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HPH394: Could you automate air sealing on a house build? – with Hugh Franklin

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:45:00 +0000

Hugh Franklin from Aeroseal UK explains how the airtightness of a building can be improved using a water-based, low VOC atomised polymer which is delivered when the building is pressurised. This simpler approach speeds up the process of air sealing and gives real-time feedback on the airtightness score.

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HPH393: How can you reduce the embodied carbon of a project? – with Elly Deacon Smith and Kirk Rushby

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:01:00 +0000

Elly Deacon Smith and Kirk Rushby from Arbor Architects explain why they consider the embodied carbon of their projects, how they do it and how it is balanced with competing factors.

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HPH392: What's the difference between good and bad retrofit? – with Marion Baeli

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 13:09:00 +0000

Marion Baeli, author of "Residential Retrofit," offers hands-on experience of designing and retrofitting high performance homes. As well as drawing on her personal retrofit she shares the lessons learnt from revisiting properties that took part in the Retrofit for the Future competition over a decade ago.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH391: Earth floors – with Jeffrey Hart

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:21:00 +0000

Jeffrey Hart from the Earthen Floor Company gives us the lowdown on natural earth floors, explaining what the components are, how they are mixed and the process of installing them. He also outlines the benefits and limitations, and highlights what makes them a great choice for an eco home.

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HPH390: Practical considerations when looking for a plot of land – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 20:10:00 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith shares a few thoughts about what to look for in a plot of land for a low energy house build.

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HPH389: Air-to-air mini split heat pumps – with Es Tresidder

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 18:42:00 +0000

Es Tresidder from Highland Passive explains what an air-to-air mini split heat pump is, why he believes it's a good choice for heating a high performance home and the various pros and cons of going down this route. He also reflects on one of the toughest stages of his retrofit when they took the roof off the existing dwelling and then faced torrential rain.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH388: How are building regulations made? – with John Palmer

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:27:00 +0000

Having spent the last few years working within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, John Palmer explains how building regulations are made and what their role is within the construction industry.

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HPH387: How do you make a Victorian terrace home more comfortable? – with Will South

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 17:08:00 +0000

Will South from Etude takes us step-by-step through the retrofit of his Victorian terrace house in Brighton, which has improved the health, comfort and energy efficiency of the property.

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HPH386: The potential of mycelium-based composites – with Joshua English

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:14:00 +0000

Joshua English, co-founder of Okom wrks labs shares his journey into the creation of a mycelium-based composite material, which has structural and load-bearing properties.

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HPH385: A stunning contemporary home on a sloping site – with Kirsty Maguire

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 06:51:00 +0000

Architect Kirsty Maguire shares her experience of designing and building her own Passivhaus on a challenging sloping site in Newport-on-Tay, Scotland.

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HPH384: De-risking a Passivhaus project – with Sally Godber

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 17:46:00 +0000

Sally Godber, a Director at WARM consultancy explains why reducing the risks on her own Passivhaus project was so important, what that entailed and how it enabled her to deliver a healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient home on budget.

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HPH383: A beginner's guide to creating a comfortable home – with Andy Mitchell

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:04:00 +0000

Andy Mitchell, Managing Director of 21 Degrees, explains what factors influence human comfort and how we have tried to make our homes more comfortable through the years. Embracing building physics has been a turning point and while we have the knowledge and skills to create healthy and comfortable homes today, it's still not the default approach. So Andy outlines the options available to get yourself into a better home.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH382: What is a Principal Designer? – with Ben Nother

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:20:00 +0000

Ben Nother, a Director at Hawkland Group, explains the two different roles of Principal Designer in meeting building regulations and addressing CDM health and safety. He also reflects on how this has been integrated into their processes.

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HPH381: What is Passivhaus Premium? – with Phil Neve

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 13:03:00 +0000

Phil Neve explains what Passivhaus Premium is and why he chose to target the standard for his own self build in Somerset. He also talks through his biggest project challenge, which was obtaining planning permission to build in open countryside.

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HPH380: What is Passivhaus Plus? – with Heather Johnson

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:08:00 +0000

Heather Johnson from AD Practice explains what Passivhaus Plus is, how it differs from Passivhaus Classic accreditation and what benefits achieving the standard will afford. She also reveals why most of her clients target 'Plus' and outlines the steps to achieve this on a project.

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HPH379: What is inclusive design? – with Stephanie Kyle

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 09:51:00 +0000

Stephanie Kyle from Floyd Slaski Architects explains how we can design for disability, gender, religion, and anything that's considered a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. She also highlights the biggest challenge of inclusive design which is people's differing needs, and suggests how we best go about designing spaces.

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HPH378: Accessibility for all – with Guy Harris

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 21 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Guy Harris from AccessiblePRS explains why accessible housing is important, what the key considerations are and how to deliver it well. He also shares his experience of designing his own house as a wheelchair user.

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HPH377: Retrofitting a 1950s semi-detached ex-council house – with Toby Cambray

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 07 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Toby Cambray talks about the experience of working on his own retrofit project, and the lessons learnt in the process.

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HPH376: What is WUFI? – with Toby Cambray

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 08:48:00 +0000

Toby Cambray talks about the risks associated with moisture in buildings, and the modelling techniques – like WUFI® – that can be used to assess those risks.

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HPH375: A day in the life of a builder – with Mike Whitfield

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 08:49:00 +0000

Mike Whitfield shares his experience of running a local construction company that specialises in Passivhaus. He explains how the business is structured, and what tasks are tackled on a daily and weekly basis.

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HPH374: Building for People - with Mike Eliason

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:16:00 +0000

Mike Eliason talks about his book, Building for People, and the massive opportunity we have to create better places through being more intentional and thoughtful.

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HPH373: Using a willow bed to treat sewage - with Laila Dudhill

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 14:08:00 +0000

Laila Dudhill explains some of the challenges she faced when planning her new build home at the bottom of a sloping field. Not only did she have to deal with drainage across the site, diverting the natural flow of water away from the house, but also come up with a foul drainage strategy that would off-set phosphate discharge into the local watercourses.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH372: Introducing the circular economy to housing

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 06:29:00 +0000

Katherine Adams and Connie Spoor talk about the circular economy and construction, and practical strategies for making reuse a priority on housing projects and self-builds.

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HPH371: What is wood fibre insulation? – with Chris Brookman

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:14:00 +0000

Chris Brookman from Back to Earth explains what wood fibre insulation is, how it could be used on a project and why careful specification is required.

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HPH370: Where your money goes on a home retrofit project

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 11:56:00 +0000

Florence Collier, founder of Humblebee, takes us step-by-step through the deep retrofit of her 1970s home. She explains the costs relating to each measure and the cumulative total as the project advances.

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HPH369: Converting a barn to meet the Living Building Challenge – with Toby Diggens

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 13:46:00 +0000

Toby Diggens explains what it takes to meet the requirements of the Living Building Challenge, and working to the standard when renovating an existing building.

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HPH368: Creating biodiverse natural landscapes – with Toby Diggens

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:52:00 +0000

Toby Diggens, founder and co-director of Digg and Co outlines how we can all contribute to creating ecologically diverse and resilient landscapes to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.

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HPH367: A furniture maker builds a timber eco home – with Lucinda Leech

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 14:49:00 +0000

Furniture maker Lucinda Leech shares her story of building a modest, but beautiful eco home.

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HPH366: Could a home energy transformation pay for itself?

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 19:08:00 +0000

Howard Johns, founder of One Zero, outlines their home energy transformation service which includes topping up insulation and adding solar PV, battery storage and a heat pump.

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HPH365: Becoming a housing activist – with Cypren Edmunds

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 12:43:00 +0000

Cypren Edmonds, a housing activist and advocate for bio-based building materials, describes the challenges he has faced living in social housing in London, and the health benefits and energy efficiency that can be achieved through building with straw.

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HPH364: The power of community led housing – with Kareem Dayes from RUSS

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:28:00 +0000

Kareem Dayes, co-founder of RUSS in Lewisham, explains why setting up a Community Land Trust was a route to deliver genuinely affordable housing and create a better neighbourhood.

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HPH363: Is it worth getting an asbestos survey for an existing home?

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 13:48:00 +0000

Greg Byrne from RB Asbestos Consultants explains what asbestos is, why it was used so widely in construction, its potential impact on health, and how you go about identifying and removing asbestos products.

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HPH362: An easier way to build a certified Passivhaus – with Clare and Ross Booth

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 15:15:00 +0000

Clare and Ross Booth from Coldwells Build share details of their prefabricated, turnkey Passivhaus designs that aim to simplify the delivery of high performance homes in Scotland.

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HPH361: What's the difference between a renovation and a retrofit?

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 13:56:00 +0000

Paul Testa from HEM Architects explains the difference between renovation and retrofit, using his own home as an example of a deep retrofit.

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HPH360: Why MVHR maintenance and servicing is important – with Richard Hollas

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 17:55:00 +0000

Richard Hollas from 21 Degrees explains why regular MVHR maintenance and servicing is essential, what it entails, and we accompany him step-by-step as he services a unit.

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HPH359: External shading solutions – with Paul Morris

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 22:09:00 +0000

Paul Morris from Solar-Shield explains how external shading can help control solar gains and reduce internal temperatures, keeping your home cool as temperatures rise.

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HPH358: Getting the right mortgage for a house build project – with Tom McSherry

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 05:21:00 +0000

Tom McSherry from BuildStore explains the importance of cashflow when it comes to building a house and why a big part of selecting the right mortgage product is about planning your project around your budget and making sure you have accurate costings.

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HPH357: Beginner's guide to eco renovation – with Judith Leary-Joyce

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 08:22:00 +0000

Judith Leary-Joyce shares her experience of retrofitting a Victorian end-terrace house to reduce energy consumption, make it more healthy and comfortable, and leave a sustainable legacy for future generations.

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HPH356: What is Passivhaus certification? – with Kym Mead

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 19:29:00 +0000

Kym Mead from Mead Consulting explains what Passivhaus certification is, how the process works and why there is a difference between certified Passivhaus buildings and those that just adopt a 'Passivhaus principles' approach.

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HPH355: The Story of Upfront Carbon - with Lloyd Alter

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 15:02:00 +0000

Lloyd Alter explains the term upfront carbon, its relevance to us all as consumers, and why he felt compelled to write a book on the topic.

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HPH354: How natureplus helps you identify sustainable building products - with Tilmann Kramolisch

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 13:21:00 +0000

Tilmann Kramolisch from natureplus explains why their eco label was established, how materials and products are assessed, and what it means to use a natureplus certified product on your project.

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HPH353: 12 tips for a successful Passivhaus project

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 08:42:00 +0000

Speakers from the Passivhaus workshop event at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon each share a top tip.

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HPH352: Encouraging and supporting home retrofit in your local area

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 22 May 2024 16:14:00 +0000

Neighbours Wookey and Rob Leedham explain why they were motivated to retrofit their homes, how they built up knowledge and why engaging with others on a similar path has been extremely useful.

Check out the show notes for more information.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 08 May 2024 09:09:00 +0000

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.

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HPH350: What is value engineering?

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 11:42:00 +0000

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.

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HPH349: Timber build approaches – with Meredith Bowles

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 08:58:00 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 08:49:00 +0000

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 of your values and project intentions.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:53:00 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 18:32:00 +0000

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.

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HPH344: Hazel Tree Passivhaus – with Janice Gardiner

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 11:24:00 +0000

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 the experience.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 11:52:00 +0000

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 themselves, Josh and his partner Amy have been able to transform their snug, back garden plot, into a comfortable and energy-efficient home. Josh explains how thinking outside of the box may be an excellent option if you are looking to get on to the property ladder with a smaller budget.

Check out the show notes for more information.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 06:06:00 +0000

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 as many materials as possible. Kirsty shows us that with intentional and sustainable design, you can create a new structure with a wealth of history.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 21:14:00 +0000

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 the process, where the impacts lie and where optimisation can make a huge difference.

Check out the show notes for more information.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 17:04:00 +0000

Andrew Jones explains how to reclaim VAT on a self build home or conversion as well as sharing some common pitfalls to avoid.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:36:00 +0000

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 show notes for more information.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 15:41:00 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 10:27:00 +0000

Dr. Derek Taylor talks about advances in wind and solar power over the last 50 years.

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HPH336 : Ben's Passivhaus 5 years on

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 10:59:00 +0000

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.

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HPH335 : Designing an intentional community - with Anne Thorne

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 19:34:00 +0000

Anne Thorne talks through the architectural design process of Cannock Mill Cohousing community.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:31:00 +0000

Jonathan Dixon talks about incorporating home automation into a Passivhaus retrofit of a 1960s detached house, built using cross wall construction.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 16:47:00 +0000

Ludka and Brendan Powell explain the Welsh 'One Planet Development' scheme and how it led them to building an off-grid, straw panel Passivhaus.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 03 May 2023 17:11:00 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 08:42:00 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Andy Moger, from Tetlow King Planning, explains the role of a planning consultant and the benefits they can bring to a project.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Beth Williams from Build Collective outlines the role of a structural engineer and explains what tasks might be undertaken on a house build.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 09:30:00 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 09:30:00 +0000

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:

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Landscape Architect and Director of HLM Architects, Simon Bell, explains why he decided to upskill when it came to building his own house.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Mark Siddall explains how thermal bypass – or air movement around insulation layers – might impact a self-build or retrofit project.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 09:00:00 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 09:16:00 +0000

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

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 09:46:00 +0000

Homeowner Guy Hargreaves reflects on adapting and expanding his Victorian mid terrace home, retrofitting the whole building to EnerPHit standard.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 09:10:54 +0000

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 the show notes for more information.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 09:07:33 +0000

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.

HPH319 : Natural materials and healthy homes – with Tom Woolley

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 06:11:00 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 10:38:16 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 15:06:17 +0000

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.

HPH316 : Why we must embrace sufficiency – with Lloyd Alter

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 25 May 2022 16:10:43 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 11 May 2022 12:37:46 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 20:57:26 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 10:00:26 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 13:43:09 +0000

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

HPH311 : Should we celebrate architecture that performs poorly?

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 09:00:16 +0000

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.

HPH310 : Important takeaways from an exemplar straw panel Passivhaus

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 17:15:03 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 17:05:33 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 10:56:25 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 15:46:21 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 16:09:52 +0000

Nigel Dutt tells the self build story behind Devon Passivhaus, a Paragraph 55 build.

Check out the show notes for more information.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 08:44:08 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 10:15:41 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 12 May 2021 09:00:00 +0000

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.

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

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 05 May 2021 16:01:46 +0000

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 hard for it!

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH301 : Energy | People | Buildings – with Hattie Hartman

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Hattie Hartman, Sustainability Editor at the Architects' Journal, shares insights from her new book Energy, People, Buildings.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH300 : The houses I've lived in - with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 19:50:47 +0000

As a way of celebrating our 300th episode we're doing something a little different.

Ben Adam-Smith reflects on the homes he's lived in and what he's learnt from living in them.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH299 : Is mechanical ventilation just something else to go wrong? – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 12:37:40 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith shares his own experience of living with a mechanical ventilation system. While he's clocked up a few error messages on the unit and had more problems than most, he explains why he wouldn't want to go back to natural ventilation.

Check out the show notes for more information:

HPH298 : Do I need self build insurance? – with Andrew Reardon

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 13:26:40 +0000

Andrew Reardon from ProAktive explains the insurance options that are available to anyone carrying out a self build or renovation.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH297 : Why retrofit a Victorian terraced home to Passivhaus standard? – with Guy Hargreaves

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Guy Hargreaves explains why he wanted to renovate his Victorian terraced house to Passivhaus standard and how this is going to be achieved.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH296 : How to connect a new water supply to your home – with John Hernon from Thames Water

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000

John Hernon from Thames Water explains the process of installing a new connection to a water main. He also outlines the role of water services company that delivers clean water and takes away waste water.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH295 : How to connect a new electricity supply to your home – with Neil Clarke from UK Power Networks

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Neil Clarke from UK Power Networks explains how to get mains electricity to a new build home.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH294 : Using a package supplier to deliver an ecological home – with Adrian Reith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 16:03:33 +0000

Adrian Reith explains why the joined up design, engineering and quality of a Baufritz home appealed to him.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH293 : What is Passive House Accelerator? – with Zack Semke

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 10:47:29 +0000

Zack Semke explains why he's passionate about facilitating the communication and flow of information around Passive House.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH292 : What home automation do you really need? – with Mark McCall and Scott McMurray

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 12:54:08 +0000

Mark McCall and Scott McMurray explain what fully integrated home automation is all about.

Check out the show notes for more information:

HPH291 : Having the freedom to build what you want – with Werner Brouwer

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Werner Brouwer explains why being able to build a house without restrictions in Oosterwold is also about working together to build a community.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH290 : Being resourceful to bring down the cost of a build – with Colin Rice

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Self-building an annexe in an area of coastal erosion meant a low-cost but high-performance build was a priority for architect Colin Rice.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH289 : Retrofitting period properties – with Roger Hunt

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Author Roger Hunt explains why period properties need treating differently when it comes to achieving successful retrofit projects.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH288 : Renovating a 1960s house for comfort and efficiency – with Russel Hayden

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Architect Russel Hayden explains how he sought to renovate a derelict 1960s house to EnerPHit standards.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH287 : A beginner's guide to retrofit – with Russell Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Russell Smith of Parity Projects explains why a whole house plan is the best way forward for tackling a renovation.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH286 : What is the Living Building Challenge? – with Martin Brown

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Martin Brown from Fairsnape explains how the Living Building Challenge is a holistic standard that benefits health and the environment.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH285 : Developing plant-based building materials – with Judith Thornton

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Dr Judith Thornton of Aberystwyth University explores how plant-based materials are being used in the building industry, and why they are so important for our future.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH284 : Build It magazine's Self Build Education House – with Calum Taylor and Opinder Liddar

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 17:02:05 +0000

Calum Taylor and Opinder Liddar talk through the design and construction of the 'Self Build Education House' at Graven Hill.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH283 : Modelling the embodied carbon of your build – with Tim Martel

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 15:20:02 +0000

Tim Martel explains how to model the embodied carbon of your build using PHribbon, a tool that plugs in to PHPP (Passive House Planning Package).

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH282 : How to share knowledge, test and debunk! – with Nick Grant

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 10:23:04 +0000

Nick Grant shares his thoughts on the lessons learned from 30 years of the AECB (Association of Environment Conscious Building).

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH281 : What's it like to be an owner builder? – with Tully Gallagher

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Tully Gallagher of Beartooth Passive House, explains what it was like to take a leap of faith in swapping a desk job with building a 'forever home' for his family.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH280 : A beginner's guide to the Passivhaus Standard – with Jon Bootland

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Chief Executive of the Passivhaus Trust, Jon Bootland, explains the processes and benefits of building your house to the Passivhaus Standard.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH279 : A beginner's guide to building terminology – with Lee Fordham from Architype

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Lee Fordham from Architype simplifies some of the terminology you might come across if you're thinking about doing a sustainable self build.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH278 : A beginner's guide to self build – with Geoff Stow

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Having worked on his own hands-on group self build project, and site managed others, Geoff Stow shares his experience on where to start when it comes to self build.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH277 : The importance of building performance evaluation – with Professor Fionn Stevenson

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Professor Fionn Stevenson explains why building performance monitoring and post-occupancy evaluation should be mandatory on new homes.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH276 : A case study of Hope View Passivhaus – with Tracey and Roman Iwanczuk

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Tracey and Roman Iwanczuk explain how they managed to build a Passivhaus on a sloping site in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH275 : How to reduce the cost per square metre on a self build – with David Snell

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 09:00:00 +0000

With 14 projects under his belt, author and serial self builder David Snell explains how you can stop costs from running away from you.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH274 : An innovative cork house, designed for disassembly – with Matthew Barnett Howland

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Award-winning Cork House was the world's first to use a solid cork construction system. Matthew Barnett Howland explains the concept and how he managed to build it himself.

Check out the show notes for more information:

HPH273 : A hemp house that also minimises plastic use – with Paloma Gormley

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Architect Paloma Gormley of Practice Architecture explains how versatile hemp can be as a building material, and how plastic use can be reduced on site.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH272 : What is the problem with plastic? – with Emily Penn

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 09:18:27 +0000

Skipper and oceans advocate Emily Penn explains the damage that plastic pollution is having on our oceans, and how we can find solutions.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH271 : Common questions about the Passivhaus standard – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 10:52:19 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith shares some of the questions that got asked about the Passivhaus standard during a question and answer session at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH270 : What is the WELL Building Standard? – with Olga Turner Baker from Ekkist

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 10:14:26 +0000

Olga Turner Baker describes the WELL Building Standard and explains how the principles can be applied to improve health and well-being on individual projects.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH269 : What is snagging? – with Chris Parsons

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 18:36:46 +0000

Chris Parsons returns to Ben Adam-Smith's self build home after a year to look for defects. He explains what snagging is, how the list is compiled and how the rectification process works.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH268 : The state of self build in the UK – with Jason Orme

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 16:55:54 +0000

Self-builder and renovator Jason Orme reflects on the main challenges you face if you want to tackle a house build in the UK.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH267 : Self build tips, eco design and the climate emergency – with Kevin McCloud from Grand Designs

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 11:22:28 +0000

Kevin McCloud from Grand Designs shares practical advice on how to approach an ecological build, and comments on how architecture needs to change to address the climate emergency.

Check out the show notes for more information:

HPH266 : How to invest sweat equity into a project while maintaining quality – with Ajay Boardman and Nigel Bowley

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 10:56:18 +0000

Client Ajay Boardman and her builder/carpenter Nigel Bowley share their experience of working together on her self build project. In addition to project managing Ajay is labouring for Nigel. We look at why this relationship has worked well and consider how much money she is saving.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH265 : Preserving the beauty of a building while renovating to EnerPHit standard – with Jonathan Kearns

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 10:19:10 +0000

Jonathan Kearns of Kearns Mancini Architects, describes how he tackled a high performance retrofit of a century-old building.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH264 : Your forever home lifestyle - with Mark Siddall from LEAP

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 21:27:38 +0000

Mark Siddall from LEAP explains his framework the 'Forever Home Lifestyle' and how he uses it with his clients.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH263 : A step-by-step EnerPHit retrofit of a mid-terrace home – with Harry Paticas from Arboreal Architecture

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 07:02:22 +0000

Harry Paticas of Arboreal Architecture explains why care and hard work have been so important to the retrofit of his 1978 mid-terrace townhouse.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH262 : Where do you put a low energy Cube micro home? – with Mike Page

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 15:23:11 +0000

Dr Mike Page explains how The Cube micro home project developed and why land availability turned out to be a major issue for those that liked the idea of tiny house living.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH261 : Reducing construction waste and reusing materials – with Duncan Baker-Brown

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 11:25:58 +0000

Duncan Baker-Brown from BBM Sustainable Design explains how we can reduce waste on our projects, given a little more time and with a different approach on site.

With the construction industry being such a big contributor of annual waste, he also shares strategies for how we could transform things if we treat buildings as material banks, which are built with deconstruction in mind.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH260 : What's the difference between a self build and a speculative development? – with Mark Stevenson

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 09:51:06 +0000

Managing Director of Potton Homes, Mark Stevenson, looks at how self build, custom build and speculative development differ.

Check out the show notes for more information:

HPH259 : Constructing the masonry superstructure of Portree Passivhaus – with Mike Coe

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 29 Jul 2019 10:25:41 +0000

Mike Coe has a progress report from Portree Passivhaus, which is now almost watertight. We pick up the story as the groundworks begin and look at some of the challenges as the superstructure has gone up.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH258 : Using a turn-key design and build company to deliver an ecological home – with Neil Sutherland

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 16:07:39 +0000

Neil Sutherland explains how using a design, manufacture and delivery company can give you a better quality of construction.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH257 : 4 ways a self build project can go wrong – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 12:09:05 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith runs through the biggest problems you could face on your self build journey. He also looks at what can be done in those situations.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH256 : What makes a well designed MVHR system? – with Tom Heywood

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 12:29:53 +0000

Tom Heywood from Green Building Store explains why we need mechanical ventilation with heat recovery in high performance homes and why it needs to be well designed.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH255 : How do you specify high performance windows? – with Chris Herring

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 05:59:11 +0000

Chris Herring, Director at Green Building Store, explains why careful consideration should be given when specifying windows.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH254 : Transitioning to an ecological civilisation – with Jeremy Lent

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 10:33:54 +0000

Jeremy Lent, author and integrator, looks at how and why we should transform the fundamental basis of our civilisation.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH253 : Would property investors buy sustainable homes? – with Rob Bence

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 13:26:49 +0000

Property developer and podcaster, Rob Bence, advises on what's needed for undertaking a successful building development project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH252 : How to reduce the embodied carbon of your new home – with Chris Magwood

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 05:24:33 +0000

Chris Magwood, a director at the Endeavour Centre in Canada, explains the importance of embodied carbon and how building with plant-based materials could transform our new homes into carbon sinks.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH251 : Adopting a 'do less, but better' mentality for your house build – with Charlie Luxton

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 24 May 2019 13:18:38 +0000

Charlie Luxton shares lessons he's learnt from visiting projects on Building The Dream, running an architectural practice and completing his own self build.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH250 : 10 inspiring self builds – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 17 May 2019 15:10:03 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith picks out ten of his favourite new build homes. These are all homes he has visited and which have impressed him in different ways.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH249 : How to create a light and airy contemporary home – with Danny Luhde-Thompson

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 10 May 2019 13:52:23 +0000

Danny Luhde-Thompson explains why he chose to demolish the bungalow he was renovating, to build a contemporary Passivhaus.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH248 : The benefits of joining a cohousing development – with Jan Chadwick

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 01 May 2019 13:02:13 +0000

Resident of Marmalade Lane cohousing, Jan Chadwick, explains why living in a multi-generational community is so important to her.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH247 : Two radical retrofits that use an internal wall insulation strategy – with Bill Butcher

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 10:20:56 +0000

Bill Butcher from Green Building Company, the construction division of Green Building Store, explains how they tackled two radical retrofit projects in West Yorkshire. Each took a 'whole house' fabric first approach in order to improve comfort levels and reduce the heating bills.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH246 : Self build mortgages that promote sustainable living – with Paul Ellis from Ecology Building Society

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 19:59:46 +0000

Paul Ellis, Chief Executive of Ecology Building Society, explains their approach to mortgages that reward energy efficiency and sustainability.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH245 : How do you create a healthy home? – with Elinor Olisa

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 06:02:33 +0000

Elinor Olisa explains why her family's health was always paramount to the decision making on this build.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH244 : Is tiny house living right for me? – with Jenna Spesard

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 06:30:00 +0000

Tiny house and lifestyle blogger, Jenna Spesard, explains why she didn't want to spend her life working to pay for a house, but instead wanted a house that would work for her.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH243 : Embracing the "Not So Big" philosophy – with Sarah Susanka

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 06:43:07 +0000

Architect and author Sarah Susanka explains why bigger isn't always better when it comes to building a house.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH242 : How to make a cohousing scheme a reality – with Phil McGeevor from Cannock Mill Cohousing

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 12:19:22 +0000

Phil McGeevor, Chair of Cannock Mill Cohousing, describes the 12-year journey it's taken to realise their cohousing community for older adults.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH241 : 10 tips for better budgeting on a self build – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 11:30:15 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith shares 10 tips for creating a budget, which is detailed and realistic.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH240 : How to start planning a self build – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 15:36:15 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith runs through a few ideas of how to get started on your self build journey.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH239 : 3 great eco developments in New Zealand – with Matthew Cutler-Welsh

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 13:49:46 +0000

Matthew Cutler-Welsh takes us through three exciting projects that are making an impact in New Zealand.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH238 : Making Passive House homes affordable – with Adam Cohen

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 08:00:00 +0000

Architect Adam Cohen explains how his modular construction system is making Passive House building simple and affordable.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH237 : A SIPs Passivhaus build on a tight budget – with Richard Dudzicki from RDA Architects

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 13:34:55 +0000

Architect Richard Dudzicki explains the tricks and challenges of designing a £500,000 house on a £250,000 budget.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH236 : What next for House Planning Help? – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 13:18:37 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith's house build was a core part of House Planning Help. Having completed the project in 2018, Ben Adam-Smith looks at what should come next.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH235 : My entire 6-year house build (told through my audio journal) - with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 21:11:52 +0000

Having recorded an audio journal the whole way through his project, Ben Adam-Smith plays back some key moments so you can hear what is involved in a self build within a single podcast episode.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH234 : How well did I do on my self build? – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 14:54:33 +0000

Having completed his house build this year, Ben Adam-Smith evaluates his own performance as a self-builder.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH233 : How to choose a construction system for a house build – with Mike Hardwick

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 17:47:45 +0000

Self build consultant, Mike Hardwick, explains the pros and cons of different construction systems.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH232 : Which parts of a house build can you do yourself? – with Ben Ribbans

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 13:57:50 +0000

Ben Ribbans is a self-builder who decided to take on more and more responsibility during his project. He explains how he gained the confidence to do this, and why research and planning are vital to success.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH231 : How to design an interior for a modern home – with Gabrielle Blackman

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 06:25:16 +0000

Interior Designer Gabrielle Blackman explains how, when planned properly, good interior design should take the owner's personality and stamp it on the house.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH230 : What is lime render? – with Martin Brown from Best of Lime

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 12:55:26 +0000

Martin Brown explains how this ancient material can be used in the modern world.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH229 : How do you build a straw bale house? – with Barbara Jones

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 13:00:03 +0000

Straw Works co-founder Barbara Jones explains the different methods of building with straw.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH228 : What is a site meeting? – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 09:30:56 +0000

Having had his last site meeting, Ben Adam-Smith explains what they are and how they fit into the construction process when building a new house.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH227 : What's the best way to build an airtight structure? – with Paul Jennings

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 17:30:02 +0000

Air leakage expert Paul Jennings looks at how best to achieve that all important airtightness when using particular construction methods.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH226 : 10 things I'm looking forward to about my new home – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 16:08:27 +0000

With a matter of weeks until he moves into his new home, Ben Adam-Smith shares a list of ten things that he's excited about.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH225 : How to create a load-bearing straw bale Passivhaus home – with Andrew Goodman

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 22:12:59 +0000

Architect Andrew Goodman explains what it took to create the UK's first load-bearing straw bale Passivhaus home.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH224 : What due diligence should you carry out before buying land? – with Rob Wiggans

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Rob Wiggans explains how you can minimise risks when buying land for development.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH223 : What is it like to self build at Graven Hill? – with Dean Scott

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Dean Scott takes Ben on a tour of the Graven Hill development, and of his own energy-efficient self build.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH222 : How easy is it to buy land at Graven Hill? – with Karen Curtin

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 08:18:14 +0000

With the first phase well under way and residents already moving in, Karen Curtin, Managing Director of Graven Hill Village Development Company, talks through the process of finding and buying a plot at Graven Hill.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH221 : The build schedule for my cavity wall Passivhaus home – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 14:22:44 +0000

As Ben Adam-Smith's build enters the final few weeks he reviews his project's schedule and sequencing. Although a lot of the detail pertains to building a masonry wall Passivhaus, it still serves as an example of the stages any house build might go through.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH220 : How to finish a self build when money is tight – with Mike Coe

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 22:04:38 +0000

Mike Coe provides a progress update on his second self build project, with finances being stretched as construction is set to begin.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH219 : Why landscaping plans always get put on hold – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 08:48:57 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith looks at why self build projects often eat into the budget set aside for landscaping. This includes Ben's new home where initial garden plans have been put on hold!

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH218 : Stopping and later restarting a self build – with Alex Baines

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 15:59:57 +0000

Alex Baines explains the impact a mid-construction delay has had on him, his family, and his Long Barrow Passivhaus project.

Check out the show notes for more details.

HPH217 : What to do if your partner wants to build a house! – with Kay Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 31 May 2018 11:17:09 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith chats to his wife Kay about what it's been like building a house. She never wanted a new build, preferring to buy a period property instead. So why did she agree to do this? And what can we learn about trying to get a partner on board with a self build?

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH216 : Do self builds get any easier for a seasoned pro? – with Mark Brinkley

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 23 May 2018 09:00:00 +0000

With decades growing his knowledge of self-building, Mark Brinkley shares some of the surprises, challenges and joys involved.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH215 : 10 things I've learned during construction – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 18:31:57 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith reflects on what he's learned so far during the construction phase of his self build.

The project is halfway through and the finished house will meet the Passivhaus standard.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH214 : What self-builders can learn from commercial land buyers – with Rob Wiggans from RMP Property

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 20:31:10 +0000

Rob Wiggans shares his expert tips on how to find a plot of land for a self build project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH213 : Do I need a contract with my builder? – with Steven Thompson from RICS

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 07:00:00 +0000

Steven Thompson, from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, explains why it can be sensible to have a contract, and what type you might need for a self build project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH212 : What challenges does an 'L' shape Passivhaus present? – with John Fenwick

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 09:00:00 +0000

John Fenwick discusses the challenges of building his award-winning Passivhaus with an atypical form.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH211 : How does a local building contractor approach a competitive tender? – with Mark Feldman

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 15:40:33 +0000

Mark Feldman of MARS Building Ltd offers an insight into how he prices up potential new jobs (including when he's invited into a tender process).

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH210 : A future-proof contemporary eco home – with Liz and Mike Hill

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 10:24:49 +0000

Liz and Mike Hill explain the decisions behind the design of their contemporary eco home.

Check out the show notes for more information

HPH209 : Why consideration for others matters when designing a new home – with Marlen and Tony Godwin

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 19:43:26 +0000

Marlen and Tony Godwin explain why it was important for their modern, minimalist Passivhaus home and office designs to be sympathetic to the neighbourhood.

Check out the show notes for more information

HPH208 : Bringing down the cost of my self build – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 21:06:10 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith looks at some of the reasons why his tender returns might have been so high. He then sits down with his wife Kay to consider possible savings.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH207 : Opening our tender returns – with Ben and Kay Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 22:36:37 +0000

Chris Parsons from Parsons+ Whittley outlines a traditional procurement route. And Ben and Kay Adam-Smith receive their tender returns.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH206 : What solar PV panels should I get for my roof? – with Robert Flynn from Solarbarn

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 21:00:01 +0000

Robert Flynn from Solarbarn explains how to choose a solar array to suit your needs.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH205 : Specifying a house and creating tender documents – with Dan Higginbotham

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 22:04:42 +0000

Architectural technologist Dan Higginbotham from Parsons + Whittley Architects talks about producing construction drawings and a scheme of works from an architect's design.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH204 : Why you shouldn't rule out custom building on a developer estate

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 11:36:28 +0000

Five self-builders explain how they came to build their houses on the edge of a developer estate.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH203 : Putting craftsmanship at the centre of your eco build – with Will Anderson

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 10:39:59 +0000

Author and self-builder Will Anderson talks about realising his self-build dream not once but twice!

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH202 : Designing the ventilation, heating, and hot and cold water systems for Ben's house – with Alan Clarke

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 10:36:41 +0000

Building Services Engineer Alan Clarke explains how he has designed and specified the ventilation, heating, and hot and cold water systems for Ben's new house.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH201 : A recap of my self build journey (after reviewing 200 podcasts!) – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 18:00:00 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith reflects on how he's changed while making 200 podcasts about self and custom building. He also looks at how the podcast has changed with him.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH200 : 20 Self build tips (learned from 200 podcasts) – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 15:13:55 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith shares 20 insights about self-building that he has learned while making 200 podcasts and also tackling his own project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH199 : The challenges of building close to your boundaries – with Oliver Smallman

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 20:32:46 +0000

Self-builder Oliver Smallman tells us about planning, building and living in his London Passivhaus.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH198 : Creating an interior that works perfectly with the exterior – with Emily Bizley

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 15:33:13 +0000

Interior designer Emily Bizley explains how she and her husband, an architect, co-designed their RIBA shortlisted self-build home.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH197 : Taking risks, overcoming challenges and achieving outstanding results – with Jon Martin

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 16:55:54 +0000

Jon Martin explains how he beat the odds with his extraordinary self-build tree house.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH196 : Why communication is central to self build success – with Lucy Pedler

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 20:04:39 +0000

Lucy Pedler, architect and founder of The Green Register, talks about the importance of good communication throughout a self-build project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH195 : What is cellulose insulation? – with Gordon Lewis

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 20:24:50 +0000

Gordon Lewis explains what cellulose insulation is, how it's applied and why self-builders can benefit from choosing it.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH194 : What are the hidden costs of building a house? – with Paul Testa

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 11:52:28 +0000

Paul Testa from Paul Testa Architecture talks about how to predict the costs of a house build and shares his tips on limiting a self-build budget.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH193 : Should you specify uPVC windows? – with Simon Corbey from ASBP

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 09:07:37 +0000

Simon Corbey from ASBP shares some of his research into the costs and life cycle of plastic windows and suggests some considerations for self-builders.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH192 : How 'Right to Build' can help custom and self-builders find land – with Michael Holmes from NaCSBA

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 12:30:11 +0000

Michael Holmes from NaCSBA explains the Right to Build initiative and how it will impact on the future of custom and self-builds.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH191 : Key decisions that impact on the sustainability of a house build – with Lloyd Alter from Treehugger.com

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 11:09:27 +0000

Lloyd Alter from TreeHugger shares his advice on what we should be prioritising as 21st century self-builders.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH190 : How we are specifying our self build project – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 19:26:59 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith explains how he and his wife have been specifying their new home (which will be built to Passivhaus standard).

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH189 : Is an electric car the perfect accompaniment for a low energy home? – with Robert Llewellyn from Fully Charged

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 01:16:59 +0000

Actor and TV presenter Robert Llewellyn shares his insights about the future of electric cars and energy production.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH188 : What are Paragraph 55 builds and how do they work? – with Richard Hawkes from Hawkes Architecture

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 19:04:07 +0000

Richard Hawkes from Hawkes Architecture tells us about the exceptional circumstances in which planning for rural new builds may be granted.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH187 : What keeps a self-builder awake at night? – with Will Kirkman from Ecomerchant

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 21:42:35 +0000

Will Kirkman from Ecomerchant shares the key results of a survey the company ran to find out what self-builders worry about most.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH186 : Choosing windows for a Passivhaus home - function versus aesthetics

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 19:24:34 +0000

Ben and Kay Adam-Smith have a difference in opinion over which windows to specify for their new build Passivhaus home. While Ben is keen to minimise mullions, transoms and window frames, Kay believes this takes away from the aesthetics.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH185 : Why engaging in the planning process is so important

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 15:44:22 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith reviews what it took to be granted planning permission for his new Passivhaus home.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH184 : Balancing a self build with work and family life – with Donal O'Leary

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 16:07:16 +0000

Donal O'Leary tells us about his self-build in Ireland and shares advice for a successful project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH183 : How to achieve an outstanding airtightness result

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 11:04:57 +0000

Buckinghamshire Passivhaus has become one of the most airtight buildings in the UK. As such, we consider what factors contributed towards their exceptional result of 0.08 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH182 : Extracting energy from watercourses by generating electricity and extracting heat – with Justin Broadbent from ISO Energy

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 19:09:28 +0000

Justin Broadbent from ISO Energy explains the options available for extracting energy from water on your plot of land.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH181 : Improving acoustics, noise control and soundproofing – with Jack Harvie-Clark

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 13:24:37 +0000

Jack Harvie-Clark from Apex Acoustics provides an overview of acoustics in the home. He also explains how we might go about controlling noises and soundproofing.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH180 : Where to live during your house build – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 12:33:53 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith runs through the main options of where to live while your new home is under construction. While there's potential to save a lot of money it should not impact significantly on your comfort, state of mind or key relationships.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH179 : How to deal with sewage for a self build home – with Cath Hassell

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:58:52 +0000

Cath Hassell from ech2o consultants explains why connecting to mains drainage is generally the best option for a new build home. She also runs through some alternatives if this is not possible.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH178 : Natural clay plaster wall finishes – with Clare Whitney from Clayworks

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 25 May 2017 19:50:21 +0000

Clare Whitney from Clayworks explains how clay plasters are made, their applications and why we might choose them over other wall finishes.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH177 : Redeveloping a brown field site for a contemporary home – with Ruth Butler

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 17 May 2017 14:04:15 +0000

Architect Ruth Butler shares the story of building a contemporary Passivhaus on an overlooked, brownfield site.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH176 : A self build case study of 'The Den' Passivhaus – with Dennis and Nicola Merrigan

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 11 May 2017 17:13:49 +0000

Dennis and Nicola Merrigan talk about the highs and lows of their Passivhaus self-build project, sharing lessons learned.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH175 : From briefing to planning – with Chris Parsons

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 03 May 2017 20:59:47 +0000

Ben reviews the journey from briefing to planning stage for his own self-build project, with their architect Chris Parsons from Parsons + Whittley.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH174 : Addressing height issues on our self build

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 10:52:22 +0000

Ben and Kay Adam-Smith visit their architects Parsons + Whittley to discuss how to move their project forward. There are decisions to be made over which designs to pursue, what materials to embrace and how to address the various constraints (including bringing down the height of the building).

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH173 : How our housing needs change through life – with Dr Michaela Benson

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 20:27:33 +0000

Dr Michaela Benson from Goldsmiths explains how our housing needs change through life and why the concept of a forever home is often not realistic.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH172 : The impact of setting your energy target – with John Palmer from Enhabit

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 18:56:43 +0000

John Palmer from Enhabit explains what happens if you choose not to go all the way to Passivhaus standard, including how this impacts on cost, energy efficiency and comfort. He also outlines a best practice approach if you are going to build with Passivhaus principles.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH171 : An eco interior designer in the home – with Elina Grigoriou

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 22:12:54 +0000

Elina Grigoriou from Grigoriou Interiors talks about design, wellbeing and sustainability, and the role of interior designers.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH170 : The process of buying land – with Michael Campbell from Spratt Endicott Solicitors

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 20:57:50 +0000

Michael Campbell from Spratt Endicott Solicitors explains the key stages that need to take place in order to buy a piece of land for a self build project.

Ben also chats through some of the challenges he faced during his plot search and subsequent land purchase.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH169 : Embracing contemporary vernacular design – with Clare Nash

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 21:16:19 +0000

Clare Nash from Clare Nash Architecture shares various responses by small developers in the UK and abroad to the challenges of creating modern communities through better design.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH168 : An example of how much it costs to hire an architect – with Allan Corfield

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 18:56:51 +0000

Allan Corfield from Allan Corfield Architects (ACA) explains how his approach to services and fees differs from traditional architecture practices in the UK. He describes the staged services his practice offers, giving indicative costs.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH167 : What is a healthy building product? – with Simon Corbey from ASBP

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 22:07:45 +0000

Simon Corbey from the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP) shares some thoughts of what makes a healthy building product.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH166 : 7 Self-builders answer the question - what I wish I'd known before starting my project

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 20:11:43 +0000

7 self-builders reflect on the key things they wish they'd known before starting their projects.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH165 : Feeding back to our architect

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 21:41:49 +0000

Ben and Kay Adam-Smith receive initial sketches of their new home from their architects Parsons + Whittley. They then feedback to John over the phone.

Chris also outlines how this stage works and explains why it is so important.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH164 : Taking on the role of Principal Designer – with Belinda and Paul Wilson

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 21:50:13 +0000

Belinda and Paul Wilson share what they've learned from their Passivhaus build. Paul also explains the responsibilities of the Principal Designer and why he decided to take on this role himself.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH163 : How to create an effective basement – with Andrew McInulty

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 16:42:15 +0000

Andrew McInulty from Ready Made Basements explains the main reasons people install basements. He also shares the challenges of building below ground and how they are best addressed.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH162 : Briefing our architect for our house build

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 21:19:24 +0000

Ben and Kay Adam-Smith sit down with Chris Parsons from Parsons + Whittley to run through the brief for their self build project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH161 : How I chose an architect for my Passivhaus project – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 10:59:59 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith shares what he's learnt during the process of hiring an architect for his self build project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH160 : Is a thatched roof appropriate for a new build home? – with Stephen Letch

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 23:15:02 +0000

Master thatcher, Stephen Letch, tells us about the history of thatching, the materials and techniques involved, and how it can be used today.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH159 : What it took to find my plot of land – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 21:00:00 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith comes clean with his project progress! After two and a half years of looking, he has finally managed to buy a plot of land upon which to build his eco home.

However, the process of buying the land was perhaps not the joyous occasion he would have liked. In this solo episode he shares what he's learnt.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH158 : Lessons from 40 years at the Centre for Alternative Technology – with Pat Borer

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 17:00:00 +0000

Architect and author Pat Borer shares insights from his teaching career at the Centre for Alternative Technology as well as what he's learned from his own practice (which has helped hundreds of self-builders).

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH157 : A contemporary eco home case study – with James Galpin from HazleMcCormackYoung

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 15:13:24 +0000

Architect James Galpin from HazleMcCormackYoung shares insights into how Mayfield Passivhaus was designed and built.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH156 : Creating a garden that's biodiverse – with Lisa Kerslake from CIEEM

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 18:11:13 +0000

Lisa Kerslake from the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management explains how self-builders can encourage wildlife to flourish on their plots.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH155 : Do you really need an architect to design your house? – with Jeremy Harris

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 15:38:03 +0000

Jeremy Harris explains why he chose not to use an architect or designer for his self build, and how he managed to do the job himself. He also shares some of the challenges that he came up against.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH154 : The challenges of building a new home in a rural community – with Jeremy Harris

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 22:21:00 +0000

Jeremy Harris, a scientist by background, wanted a low energy house for his retirement. He talks about the initial stages of his self-build project: finding a plot of land and obtaining planning approval.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH153 : How to comply with building regulations – with Phill Skill

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 21:41:18 +0000

Phill Skill explains what building regulations are and how we comply with them.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Encore episode : Why airtightness can get compromised and how to avoid it

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 21:41:51 +0000

We re-run an interview from 2014 with Stephen Gurney, who explains what causes poor airtightness test results and how they could have been avoided.

Check out the show notes for more information.

Encore episode : How big should your new house be?

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 19:29:56 +0000

We re-run an interview from 2013 with Sarah Susanka, author of the Not So Big House.

Check out the show notes for this podcast.

Encore episode : The Passivhaus standard explained

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 17:12:55 +0000

We re-run an interview from 2012 with the co-founder of the Passivhaus standard, Dr Wolfgang Feist.

HPH152 : Should you consider the resale potential of your self build? – with Mike Coe

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 15:54:36 +0000

Mike Coe and his partner Lizzie created one of the UK's most energy efficient homes. Now they're looking to sell and start a new project elsewhere, they're finding that they will have made a loss. Mike discusses why that might be, and whether it will change the way he thinks about his next self build.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH151 : When does it make sense to demolish and rebuild? – with Janet Cotterell

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 22:48:18 +0000

We are currently following the progress of Buckinghamshire Passivhaus with video updates in The Hub. In order to provide some background to the project, we spoke to its architect, Janet Cotterell, about the reasons behind her clients decision to completely rebuild the house, rather than follow their original plans of refurbishing it to Passivhaus standard.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH150 : Where is the balance between renewables and a fabric first approach? – with Alex Baines

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 16:57:28 +0000

We have been following Alex Baines' Long Barrow Passivhaus self build project in previous podcast and Hub episodes. This time we catch up with him to use his experience of working in the renewables industry, together with his current role as a Passivhaus consultant, to understand how renewables and a fabric first approach can be balanced when building your own energy efficient house.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH149 : Can airtightness tests on developer homes be trusted? – with Paul Buckingham of Sustainable Lifestyles

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 15:22:11 +0000

Until fairly recently Paul Buckingham was carrying out airtightness tests on volume built houses. He explains how his role was to make the house pass the test, not about making the house energy efficient.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH148 : How do you know you're properly prepared for a self build? – with Dean Scott

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 14:49:52 +0000

Dean Scott and his wife Hannah have never found anywhere they liked enough to buy and have long had a dream to self build instead. With the release of plots at the Graven Hill development in Oxfordshire, they are now looking to start the process and get building!

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH147 : A Passivhaus standard Q & A – with Elrond Burrell

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 17:00:00 +0000

As part of Ben Adam-Smith's video work, podcasts and meeting with other self builders, he is often asked questions about the Passivhaus standard that he doesn't know how to answer. He recently took the opportunity to put those questions to Elrond Burrell, as well as finding out about Elrond's future plans as he gets ready to move back to New Zealand.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH146 : Could engaging with your local council help your self build? – with Emma Osmundsen from Exeter City Council

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 18:48:03 +0000

It can be difficult to know who to approach at your local authority, other than the planning department, if you're looking to self build. And if you get a knockback where do you take it from there? Emma Osmundsen from Exeter City Council explains who you should be talking to and how working co-operatively and collaboratively could help with your plans to self build.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH145 : An urban infill that embraces simplicity – with Bernard Tulkens

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:34:39 +0000

Building a 94m² Passivhaus with no south-facing glazing, on an infill plot in a conservation area posed many challenges! However architect Bernard Tulken's Lansdowne Drive Passivhaus won a 2016 UK Passivhaus Trust Award. In this case study he talks us through the constraints and decision making involved.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH144 : What do you do when you can't find land?

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 21:21:45 +0000

Three self builders explain their next steps after struggling to find land upon which to build their new homes.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH143 : Why I couldn't build a house in 4 years – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 21:24:14 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith reviews the key decisions that may have led to failing to build an energy-efficient home within his desired 4-year timeframe.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH142 : What is a Passivhaus Designer? – with Marine Sanchez from Enhabit

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 18:30:50 +0000

Marine Sanchez is a building physics engineer and a Passivhaus Designer. She helps explain what a Passivhaus Designer does, when you might need one and how they work within a design team.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH141 : What is a structural engineer? – with Andrew Collinson

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 20:20:59 +0000

Andrew Collinson explains what the role of structural engineer entails. He also runs through his most frequent tasks on housing projects, outlines how he might interact within a team and gives tips for how to find good structural engineers.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH140: What is a quantity surveyor? - with Jerry Thomas from Smith Thomas Consult

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 14:35:10 +0000

A quantity surveyor can add far more value to a project than just working out how much your project is likely to cost. Jerry Thomas explains the role of a quantity surveyor, when you should employ one and how it could benefit your self build.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH139 : Building biology principles – with Tomas Gartner from Gale and Snowden

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 17:30:52 +0000

Tomas Gartner describes building biology as "a more holistic approach to achieving sustainable, low energy buildings with a more human focus." He explains how it is nothing to be feared or fanatical about, but is a sensible approach to understanding the risks and trying to improve them wherever possible.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH138 : Why an integrated design approach works well for self build – with Charles Grylls and Nick Grant

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 19:50:19 +0000

Integrated design is a way of a design team working collaboratively on a project from the outset. Architect Charles Grylls and Passivhaus Consultant Nick Grant explain how their team works and the benefits it has for the client, as well as for future projects.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH137 : Opportunities to self build at Graven Hill – with Philip Singleton

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 14:40:43 +0000

Initiated by Cherwell District Council, the Graven Hill Village Development Company are providing opportunities for self builders to create their own homes on a 1900 plot site, on land previously owned by the Ministry of Defence near Bicester. Philip Singleton explains the scheme and what potential customers can expect on their 'customer journey'.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH136 : 6 observations from 6 Passivhaus projects – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 13:15:06 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith shares what he's learnt from visiting 6 self build projects, each shortlisted for the UK Passivhaus Awards 2016.

Regen Media produced 6 video inserts for the ceremony and this gave Ben the opportunity to visit these homes. Now he reflects on each project and the key takeaways.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH135 : Tips for buying land at auction – with Tom Gresford from Gresford Architects

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 18:39:36 +0000

Tom Gresford likes to use auctions as a way of finding interesting and quirky development sites. He bought an old water tower at auction to build his latest project, Chieveley Passivhaus, which was shortlisted for a UK Passivhaus Award 2016. His intention was to show that you can build beautiful, modern houses in the Passivhaus way.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH134 : A new build cavity wall Passivhaus – with Angie and Paul Dallas

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:28:45 +0000

Angie and Paul Dallas wanted to build a comfortable, energy efficient home for their retirement, using land at their existing property. Paul was also keen to be as hands-on as possible, but their decision to build to the Passivhaus Standard, which he didn't have experience of, left Paul needing to create a role for himself.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH133 : Building automation and KNX – with Paul Foulkes from Echohouse

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 14:33:27 +0000

Paul Foulkes explains how building automation systems differ from smart home technology, how they can improve energy efficiency, and why the KNX non-proprietary system can help a building adapt to the needs of its occupants.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH132 : What is modular design and how does it work? – with Peter Schneider

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 20:51:23 +0000

For the past few years Peter Schneider has been looking into how the Passivhaus standard can be introduced to modular homes being built at local factories in the Vermont area of the United States. He explains how they are trying to educate people to realise the benefits and life cycle cost savings of having a better built, energy efficient home.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH131 : Building a home in your garden for your retirement – with Robert Young

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 19:11:27 +0000

Robert Young explains why he decided to build a home for his retirement at the end of the garden and what steps were necessary to create this low maintenance, high comfort dwelling.

There was also one significant constraint on this plot, a mature lime tree, which could not be removed. Ultimately this led to the curved house that was designed.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH130 : A Passivhaus barn that embraces contextual design – with Lisa Jackson

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 25 May 2016 09:00:00 +0000

Lisa Jackson is a planning consultant and together with her husband, who has a background in construction and planning, set out to build an energy efficient home. What they created was a timber frame home built to the Passivhaus standard.

Lisa shares her experience of the process and is also able to provide useful tips about getting through the planning process.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH129 : Setting up a cohousing scheme – with Chris Wilson from K1

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 18 May 2016 16:06:56 +0000

In 2012 Cambridge City Council advertised for potential members for a new cohousing scheme on a plot of land within an existing development. Chris Wilson was struck by the idea of building a consensus based community and is now Chair of the K1 cohousing group. He talks to us about the processes they have gone through to get the scheme to its current stage.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH128 : Closing the performance gap – with Helen Brown from Encraft

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 11 May 2016 20:21:42 +0000

Helen Brown heads up the building physics department at Encraft. Her main area of interest is in low energy construction in new build housing, with a particular focus on Passivhaus.

Based on various research and monitoring methods she is able to explain the differences between actual energy consumption compared with their designed intent.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH127 : 5 ways to get proactive when looking for land – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 06 May 2016 09:06:21 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith outlines 5 strategies for taking your land search into your own hands.

If you have been struggling to unearth a plot for your self build and have time to invest, then these proactive strategies could help you get your hands on something that others have missed.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH126 : When is it right to demolish and rebuild? – with Simon Sturgis from Sturgis Carbon Profiling

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 15:12:03 +0000

Simon Sturgis has been studying carbon emissions in the building industry for the last 8 or 9 years. He uses his experience to look at the scenarios of when it might be best to demolish and rebuild, or whether retrofit might be a better option. He also explains how new buildings should be created with their 'circular economy' in mind.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH125 : How to create beautiful designs through constraints – with Andrew Michler

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 15:02:53 +0000

Andrew Michler has been living off grid in the Colorado Rocky Mountains for over 20 years. He has had a long interest in sustainable design and as well as completing a book about how sustainable architecture around the world responds to its conditions, he has also created Colorado’s first certified Passivhaus home.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH124 : A contemporary Passivhaus home, built with SIPs – with Paul Newman from Potton

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:27:38 +0000

Potton have a history of serving the self build market and are currently building a Passivhaus show home. They are making the details of the build available through their Self Build Live events and are running courses through their Self Build Academy to help people through the self build journey. Paul Newman explains why they’re doing this, and also what lessons they’ve learned from the construction of their Passivhaus show house.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH123: How different is building a home in the USA versus in the UK? – with Michelle Nelson from Build Your House Yourself University

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 14:40:15 +0000

Like Ben Adam-Smith, Michelle is a podcaster who is keen to build her own home and is sharing the information she learns along the way with her audience. In this episode she and Ben discuss how some of the challenges of the self build market compare in the UK and the US, and also some of the best things about their respective housing industries.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH122 : Can local knowledge help you uncover a plot of land? – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:12:26 +0000

With Ben Adam-Smith struggling to find a plot of land in his town, he has decided to try a new approach and dedicate a full day trying to tap in to local knowledge. He shares the tips he was given and concludes with how successful his day was in progressing his self build plans.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH121 : The pros and cons of building a Passivhaus with a kit or system – with Janet Cotterell from Passivhaus Homes

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 14:35:35 +0000

Together with her team at Passivhaus Homes, Janet Cotterell has been developing their PH15 system for building houses to Passivhaus standard. She explains the differences between kit and system approaches and why there should be more available on the UK market.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH120 : What is a self build mortgage? – with Thomas Honour of BuildStore

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:05:38 +0000

Thomas Honour is a mortgage adviser for BuildStore, who are mortgage brokers specialising in projects such as self builds. Self build mortgages differ from traditional ones, and Thomas explains some of the products available and what you are likely to need to secure finance for your project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH119 : Sourcing materials for your self build – with Harvey Fremlin from the National Self Build and Renovation Centre

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:55:24 +0000

Harvey Fremlin is Managing Director of the National Self Build and Renovation Centre, where they have trade exhibitors, run courses and generally provide impartial advice on all things self build. Harvey talks us through the different things to be thinking about when you’re choosing your building materials.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH118 : How to find a good architect – with Adrian Dobson from RIBA

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 15:36:44 +0000

Keen to focus on the professions involved in a self build project, in this episode we’re looking at architects. Adrian Dobson has worked at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for over 10 years and is their Executive Director Members. He was a practising architect himself and still gives lectures and seminars to students and architects in practice. Adrian explains the benefits an architect can provide, and gives advice on how to find the right one for your project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH117 : What to look for in a plot of land – with David Snell, author of Building Your Own Home

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 14:18:28 +0000

David Snell is author of ‘Building Your Own Home’ and writes regularly for ‘Homebuilding & Renovating’. The last time we spoke to David he was working on his 14th and ‘final’ self build project. He has since decided to return to Gloucestershire and is now working on his 15th! With so much experience to draw upon he is able to give examples of what to look for when selecting a plot of land, and how you can tell whether it’s the right one for you.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH116 : How do you find a good builder of low energy homes? – with Mike Whitfield of Mike Whitfield Construction

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 09:00:00 +0000

Mike Whitfield, of Mike Whitfield Construction, has been focused on creating energy efficient houses in Herefordshire since the 1990s. He explains why building high quality, low energy buildings requires different skills and mind-set to traditional construction, and gives advice on how to find a builder who is up to the task.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH115 : How to budget for a house build – with Mark Brinkley

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 15:30:54 +0000

Freelance writer and author of Housebuilder’s Bible, Mark Brinkley, has been writing about how to build houses for over 20 years. Now embarking on a new self build project of his own he is aware of how terrifying the process can be! He shares with us some of his experience of how to create a budget, and what you can do to make sure you stick to it.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH114 : The long road to high performance homes – with David Olivier from Energy Advisory Associates

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 15:09:18 +0000

David Olivier has over 30 years of experience working with architects and engineers, advising on energy conscious design. In 2012 he moved into his own passive solar self build house and shares with us some of what he has learnt professionally, and personally.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH113 : Budgeting for our eco home – with Tara Murphy and Dimitri Daras

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 14:41:08 +0000

Tara and Dimitri had allocated £350,000 for the purchase of land and costs for building their Gloucestershire home. They explain how they worked with their architect and builder to manage their budget and pass on tips for what they learnt along the way.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH112 : Getting planning permission for a self build – with Phill Skill

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 19:34:48 +0000

Phill Skill is Lead Business Consultant at Stroud District Council, and for 10 years before that he was their Head of Planning. He talks us through the terminology and processes involved that might apply to a self build project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH111 : How value engineering could benefit a house build – with Nick Grant from Elemental Solutions

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 15:11:04 +0000

Nick Grant explains why his childhood “make do and mend” mentality has given him a lifelong passion for doing more with less. Combined with a background in engineering he demonstrates how value engineering can be applied to a house building project.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH110 : Reflecting on my self-build project – with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:25:36 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith reviews where he is in his own self-build process and discusses the reasons why there will be some changes to future podcasts.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH109 : How project management helps your build – with Cesar Abeid

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 21:39:37 +0000

Cesar Abeid has recently written a book called ‘Project Management for You’. He explains how his simple steps approach to project management can help bring an idea into reality, whether in your personal or professional life, and how this methodology can be applied to organising a self-build project without being overwhelmed!

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH108 : Progressing your house build plans before you have your land – with Kirsty Maguire

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 17:26:56 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith has been frustrated by his lack of progress in finding a suitable building plot and has been wondering whether there is anything he can be doing in the meantime to help his project. Kirsty Maguire of Kirsty Maguire Architect Ltd explains the steps that he could be taking now to put him in a stronger position for when he has a site and the project goes live.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH107 : What Does it Take to Create Sustainable Neighbourhoods? - with Jon Broome

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Jon Broome from Jon Broome Architects explains how to create sustainable neighbourhoods and why they make better places to live. He also shares progress on a group self build scheme in Lewisham, London, which is embracing these principles.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH106 : An Energy Positive House That Addresses Cost, Performance and Buildability – with Professor Phil Jones

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Professor Phil Jones from the Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University explains how SOLCER House exports more energy to the grid than it uses and addresses fundamental issues relating to affordability, buildability and performance. With governments around the world committing to deliver zero carbon housing by 2019, this project has been designed from the outset as a practical solution.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH105 : How Far Should You Go with a Low Energy Retrofit? - with Bob Prewett from Prewett Bizley Architects

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Prewett Bizley Architects specialises in low energy architecture and Bob has a particular interest in retrofit. He explains that housing is responsible for around 27% of the UK's carbon emissions, so buildings of all ages and styles have a part to play in terms of energy efficiency.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH104 : How I Found My Plot of Land - with Donal O'Leary, Nicki Poggi, Arun Alex, and Glen Graney

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Arun, Nicki, Donal, and Glen share their stories of how they successfully bought their plots of land. With four case studies to evaluate from three different countries, there’s lots to be learned from our guests today.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH103 : Is Building a Passivhaus Expensive? - with Geoff and Kate Tunstall

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Geoff and Kate Tunstall explain how they were able to create a fantastic Passivhaus in Denby Dale with a modest budget of around £150,000. They also share how they got caught by a 6-inch ransom strip and what options were open to them.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH102 : How to Set Up a Community Energy Scheme - with Matthew Black from Fintry Development Trust

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 09:00:00 +0000

The residents of Fintry, Scotland, were approached back in 2003 by a developer that was looking to set up a wind farm in the area and was seeking local support. After years of negotiations the community agreed to the wind farm on the proviso that they install an extra turbine on the site, for the Fintry community. The wind farm developer paid for the additional turbine, which the community are gradually buying back over 15 years, together with paying maintenance, interest and land rental costs.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH101 : 5 Common Traits of Self-Builders - with Michaela Benson from Goldsmiths

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Michaela Benson is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London. She has spent the last three years working on a research project called 'Self-Building - The Production and Consumption of New Homes From the Perspective of Households'. She wanted to understand the diversity of the houses people build, their motivations for doing it and their experiences of the process. Her interviews with twenty individual self-builders and five group projects during that time have led her to notice characteristics that these people share.

Check out the show notes for more information.

HPH100 : Constructing Long Barrow Passivhaus - with Alex Baines

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 21:01:54 +0000

We catch up with Alex Baines, a Passivhaus consultant who you may remember from episode 74. We spoke to him then about how gaining support for his semi earth-sheltered rural self-build from his local community helped him achieve the necessary planning permissions. Almost a year on we spoke with him again to see what progress he has made on the build so far.

Check out the show notes to see some pictures of the progress.

HPH099 : My New Developer House has No Insulation - with Luke Mahon

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 09:00:00 +0000

It has been almost a year since Luke Mahon took ownership of a new-build developer house, which he soon discovered lacked insulation! He talks us through his experience and the ongoing battle to get the house completed.

See the full show notes: http://www.houseplanninghelp.com/99.

HPH098 : An Off-Grid, Earth-Sheltered Passivhaus - with Christina Snyder

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Architect, builder and Passivhaus Consultant, Christina Snyder shares the story of the experimental zero-energy Passivhaus self-build that she and her husband have undertaken in Michigan, and explains why they are in no rush to complete it.

HPH097 : What Do You Get for Passivhaus Certification? – with Peter Warm from WARM (Passive House)

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 13:32:43 +0000

Peter Warm from WARM: Low Energy Building Practice explains why building to Passivhaus standard is desirable, how certification comes into the equation, and what steps will increase your chances of reaching certification.

HPH096 : Is Natural Ventilation Fit for Purpose? - with Kara Rosemeier from Passive House Academy New Zealand

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Kara Rosemeier from Passive House Academy New Zealand looks at why natural ventilation leads to little control of ventilation. She also shares why the Passivhaus approach is the logical step forwards.

HPH095 : The Saskatchewan Conservation House - with Harold Orr

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 09:00:00 +0000

Harold Orr reflects on why the Saskatchewan Conservation House was a landmark on the road to high performance buildings.

HPH094 : 10 Insulation Types and When to Specify Them - with Brian Murphy from Green Building Encyclopaedia

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 08:13:54 +0000

Brian Murphy from Green Building Encyclopaedia runs through the most common types of insulation and explains why they each have strengths and weaknesses.

HPH093 : Building a House . . . And 10 Years Later Retrofitting It! – with Tad Everhart

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 16:57:09 +0000

Tad Everhart, an energy adviser from Portland, Oregon, shares his story of building a house . . . which he retrofitted 10 years later after learning about Passivhaus. We find out why he was motivated to take on the challenge, how he went about it and whether all the hard work was worth it.

HPH092 : Is Hempcrete a Good Material for Ecological Buildings? – with Professor Tom Woolley

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 21:29:04 +0000

Professor Tom Woolley from Rachel Bevan Architects explains what hempcrete is, how it is mixed and applied, and what the pros and cons of using it are.

HPH091 : Why Build to Passivhaus Standard? - with Tomas O'Leary from Passive House Academy

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 18:12:37 +0000

Tomás O’Leary from the Passive House Academy explains why he became an early adopter of the Passivhaus standard and also shares why we need to take every opportunity to retrofit existing buildings, even if it is a phased approach.

HPH090 : Should Your Architect, Builder and Tradespeople Have Certified Passivhaus Training? - with Darren Macri from Bleu Nest

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 29 May 2015 16:08:01 +0000

Darren Macri from Bleu Nest is a certified Passivhaus builder and consultant, and he explains what this means and how putting together a team who have had training is likely to benefit your low energy build.

He also has insights into his own house build which is nearing completion.

HPH089 : Can You Build to Passivhaus Standard Using Only Natural Materials? - with Bjørn Kierulf from Createrra

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 09 May 2015 10:27:20 +0000

Bjørn Kierulf from Createrra explains how you can have the best of both worlds, using almost entirely natural materials to create a house that reaches the Passivhaus Standard.

HPH088 : Successful Tiny House Living - with Jay Shafer from Four Lights Tiny House Company

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 13:58:52 +0000

Jay Shafer from Four Lights Tiny House Company gives us the lowdown of tiny house living. He explains why he initially made the choice, how different life has been since and why he has never looked back.

Jay also shares practical advice of what you need to know and do in order to transition to a smaller house.

HPH087 : Assuring Quality When Building a House - with Andrew Peel from Peel Passive House Consulting

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 10:25:13 +0000

Andrew Peel from Peel Passive House Consulting explains why the quality assurance procedure is at the heart of the Passivhaus standard. He also feels the process can be useful to improve any building, even if not striving for the standard.

HPH086 : How to Visualise a New House - with Dylan Lamar from Green Hammer

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 22:09:51 +0000

Dylan Lamar from Green Hammer explains how design ideas are communicated in various different ways, from sketches drawn by hand to sophisticated computer models. He also shares the design process at Green Hammer, and how and why house plans evolve.

HPH085 : 10 Environmental Design Myths - with Sofie Pelsmakers from UCL

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 17:02:30 +0000

Sofie Pelsmakers, environmental architect and doctoral researcher at University College London (UCL), busts 10 common environmental design myths. This also serves as a good introduction to The Environmental Design Pocketbook.

HPH084 : Is the Passivhaus Standard a Good Choice in All Climates? - with Clare Parry from Australian Passive House Association

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 12:26:21 +0000

Clare Parry, Director of the Australian Passive House Association, explains what it means to work on Passivhaus projects in different climates. What, if anything, changes?

HPH083 : Can You Live Sustainably in a City? - with Michael Mobbs

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:41:01 +0000

Author Michael Mobbs reflects on what he’s learnt about sustainability over the last 20 years. From living without a car and bringing key services in-house (his home is not connected to mains water, mains electricity or mains drainage) to growing his own food and being careful how he spends his money, Michael considers how effective he has been.

HPH082 : Do I Need Solar Photovoltaic (PV)? - with David Winterton from Ecological Design

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 16:11:05 +0000

David Winterton from Sydney-based consultancy Ecological Design gives us a rundown of solar photovoltaic (solar PV). We find out how it works, what the key considerations are and why prices of PV panels always seem to be coming down!

HPH081 : Rainwater Harvesting From Your House - with Cath Hassell from ech2o consultants

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 00:30:38 +0000

Cath Hassell from ech2o consultants explains what rainwater harvesting is, why it’s useful and how to get started.

If you haven’t heard our first podcast interview with Cath on the topic of saving water, check that one out first!

HPH080 : Behind the Scenes of Our Housing Documentary - with Paul Jennings from ALDAS

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 09:13:09 +0000

Paul Jennings from ALDAS talks through some of the findings from the airtightness tests we carried out as part of our documentary.

HPH079 : How Ventilation in the Home Has Evolved - with Mark Chesney from Beam

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 21:35:25 +0000

Mark Chesney from Beam Vacuum & Ventilation explains how houses have become increasingly airtight and why this has had a significant impact on energy efficiency. He also shares why having a good ventilation strategy is so important.

HPH078 : Externally Insulating a Bungalow with Straw Bales - with John Butler

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 22:59:46 +0000

John Butler tells the story of how he retrofitted a bungalow to be more energy efficient. Having carried out a lot of the work himself, he also shares what he's learnt about airtightness and overheating.

HPH077 : Inspiration as a Big Developer Loses Out on a Plot to a Local Group - with Jackson Moulding from Ashley Vale

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 23:31:19 +0000

Jackson Moulding from Ecomotive tells the story of Ashley Vale, a group self build scheme in Bristol, UK, that initially had to fend off a large developer in order to secure a plot of land. The will of the local community was instrumental in making this happen.

HPH076 : Getting the Foundations of a Building Right - with David Sharpe from Thomasons

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 18:02:12 +0000

David Sharpe from Thomasons explains what the foundations are, why they must be site specific and how they could impact on the design of a building.

HPH075 : Is a HUF HAUS the Ultimate Turnkey Solution? - with Dani and James McDonald

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:22:53 +0000

James and Dani McDonald reveal why they were drawn to HUF HAUS, how the process worked and why they have become very loyal to the brand.

HPH074 : How a Public Consultation Helped a Rural Self Build - with Alex Baines

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 12:40:32 +0000

Alex Baines talks through the plans for his semi earth-sheltered home, to be constructed to Passivhaus standard, and explains why involving the local community in the early stages was essential in gaining the relevant permissions.

HPH073 : How Alterations to Period Properties Affect Performance - with Richard Oxley from Oxley Conservation

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 20:43:15 +0000

Richard Oxley from Oxley Conservation explains why understanding an old house is such a vital first step to take before upgrading its performance.

HPH072 : A Radical Retrofit of an End of Terrace House - with Tim Nicholson

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 13:37:25 +0000

Tim Nicholson reveals why he chose to retrofit rather than build new and, having selected a suitable property, what the strategy was and why. Tim has also been blogging about the experience on his website Oxford Green House.

HPH071 : Open Source, Digitally Manufactured Homes - with Alastair Parvin from WikiHouse

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 21:42:00 +0000

Alastair Parvin explains how WikiHouse has developed and why it is so significant when it comes to enabling more people to build affordable, high quality homes.

HPH070 : Can You Create an Ecological Building with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)? - with Jake White from Ecotecture

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 10:08:34 +0000

Jake White from Ecotecture shares the story of The Curly House, an award-winning project that was built using insulated concrete forms (ICF). He explains what an ICF is, why there are benefits in terms of speed of construction and durability, and why most concrete structures have the potential to be extremely airtight.

HPH069 : What is Active House? - with Rory Bergin from HTA Design LLP

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 17:17:10 +0000

Rory Bergin from HTA Design LLP explains why building standards are devised, the pros and cons, and why people adopt voluntary standards. He also gives an overview of the Active House standard.

HPH068 : Is a Green Roof a Good Choice? - with Dusty Gedge from Livingroofs.org

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:39:13 +0000

Dusty Gedge, founder of Livingroofs.org, explains the benefits of installing a green roof, how it can be simple and why lots of people get swayed by commercial systems.

HPH067 : How a Home Energy Assessment Can Inform Retrofit Measures - with Graham Hunter from Parity Projects

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 20:04:21 +0000

Graham Hunter from Parity Projects explains how data collected from one of their energy assessments is then turned into a report of options for the homeowner. This follows on from episode 60 which trailed Graham as he conducted an assessment.

HPH066 : The Main Reasons Why Airtightness Can Be Compromised - with Stephen Gurney from Ecological Building Systems

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 13:23:13 +0000

Stephen Gurney from Ecological Building Systems explains the main causes of poor airtightness test results.

HPH065 : How Simple Design Decisions Can Impact on Energy Performance - with Alan Budden from Eco Design Consultants

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 15:59:56 +0000

Alan Budden from Eco Design Consultants explains how simple design decisions can drastically alter the energy performance of a house and why this means your designer needs to be using a tool like the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) to better inform these decisions.

HPH064 : Should You Expect Overheating in a Passivhaus? - with Ken Levenson from 475 High Performance Building Supply

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:55:15 +0000

Ken Levenson from 475 High Performance Building Supply explains what overheating is, why it happens and how to deal with it.

HPH063 : Smart Energy and Data - with Doug King

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 21:40:08 +0000

Doug King explains what smart energy systems are, how they work and whether we should be embracing them in our new homes.

HPH062 : Does a Passivhaus Need a Heating System? - with Alan Clarke

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 19:30:43 +0000

Building services engineer Alan Clarke explains what factors should be considered when choosing a heating system for a low energy home.

HPH061 : Should My House be Off-Grid?

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 15:46:15 +0000

If the idea of going 'off-grid' excites you, then perhaps now is a great time to be doing it. We live in an era where the cost of items such as solar panels is continually dropping and this is juxtaposed with fossil fuel reserves that deplete day by day.

While you may even be forced off-grid if you move to a remote location, does it make sense going off-grid if you have perfectly good access (for example, in a town or village)? And with different grids -transport, gas, water - which is the easiest to unplug from?!

In this discussion (which was one of our Google+ Hangouts) we discuss some of the issues surrounding going off-grid.

The Panel

Mike Coe, who lives in the Cropthorne Autonomous House (and was our guest in episode 54).

Paul Scheckel, author of The Home Energy Diet and The Homeowner's Energy Handbook.

Ken Silverstein, an business journalist who specialises in writing about energy

HPH060 : What to Expect from a Detailed Energy Assessment - with Graham Hunter from Parity Projects

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 11:58:45 +0000

Graham Hunter from Parity Projects conducts an energy assessment of a country house. He talks through the process as he goes about it and explains how the collected data will be used.

HPH059 : What Qualities Should an MVHR System Bring to a Low Energy Building? - with Andrew Farr from Green Building Store

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 10:18:49 +0000

Andrew Farr from Green Building Store explains what qualities mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) should bring to a house. He also shares how to make sure you get a system that is properly designed, installed and commissioned.

HPH058 : Does it Cost More to Build a Passivhaus? - with Chris Parsons from Parsons + Whittley

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 17:19:31 +0000

Chris Parsons from Parsons + Whittley architects shares his experience of the costs behind Passivhaus.

Interview with Chris Parsons

Chris Parsons from Parsons + Whittley architects has always had a focus on making buildings as efficient as they can possibly be. With the issues around global warming and trying to reduce carbon emissions, this is why they found a great synergy with Passivhaus.

HPH057 : Low Impact Living Affordable Community (LILAC) – with Joe Atkinson

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 09:55:02 +0000

Joe Atkinson explains how the LILAC cohousing community came together and why their project is affordable for everyone.

HPH056 : Which Build System is Best to Create a Low Energy Home? - with Piers Taylor from Invisible Studio Architects

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 17:18:04 +0000

Piers Taylor from Invisible Studio Architects explains what a build system is, why you would use one over another and whether any are preferable when it comes to creating low energy houses.

HPH055 : Homes That Are Resistant to Extreme Weather (Hurricanes) - with Steve Mouzon from Original Green

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 28 May 2014 19:57:48 +0000

Steve Mouzon from Original Green helps answer a question (from Frank Wiley) about what houses we should be building in areas that are prone to hurricanes or other extreme weather.

HPH054 : Building an Autonomous House - with Mike Coe

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 21 May 2014 20:02:11 +0000

Mike Coe lives in an autonomous house with his partner Lizzie Stoodley. He shares the story behind this self-build project and why it's ultimately left them with a deeper connection to their environment.

HPH053 : An Introduction to the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) - with Mark Tiramani

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 14 May 2014 19:53:05 +0000

Mark Tiramani, the self-builder behind the UK's first certified Passivhaus, shares his experience of building Y Foel and how this got him interested in the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP). He explains what PHPP is and why it's a valuable tool.

HPH052 : Identifying Construction Defects by Using Thermal Imaging Cameras - with Lisa Ann Pasquale from Six Cylinder Limited

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 07 May 2014 14:47:16 +0000

Lisa Ann Pasquale from Six Cylinder Limited explains what thermal imaging is and how it can be used in quality assuring the construction of low energy buildings.

HPH051 : Crowd-Funding a Documentary on 'The Future of Housing' - with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 01 May 2014 16:02:29 +0000

In this special episode Ben Adam-Smith explains why he wants to crowd-fund a documentary about airtightness, what it will entail and how you can help.

HPH050 : Hiring Contractors and Subcontractors - with David Snell, Author of Building Your Own Home

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 10:18:29 +0000

David Snell, author of Building Your Own Home, shares advice on acquiring land, building up a skilled and reliable team, and keeping contracts simple. He is currently building his 14th house!

HPH049 : Collective Custom Build - with David Rudlin from Urbed

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 10:45:05 +0000

David Rudlin from Urbed explains what collective custom build is and why it would be beneficial to build more houses this way.

HPH048 : Making Incremental Improvements to Your House - with Sarah Lonsdale

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:01:16 +0000

Sarah Lonsdale, an eco columnist for The Telegraph, shares a list of 30 home improvements she has made to reduce energy bills, and save energy and water. Ultimately Sarah would like to build a new home (such as a Huf Haus or Passivhaus) but in the meantime she explains the benefits of incremental upgrades.

HPH047 : Choosing a Suitable Property to Eco Retrofit - with Ian McKay from BBM Sustainable Design

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 17:09:00 +0000

Ian McKay from BBM Sustainable Design shares how to find a property that will lend itself well to an eco retrofit.

He also contrasts two very different projects, the retrofit of a 1960s terraced house and the upgrade of a Victorian villa from the 1890s.

HPH046 : Manufacturing a House On-Site Using a Mobile Production Facility - with Diana Woodward

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 07:54:21 +0000

Diana Woodward explains how her house was first modelled on a computer and then the 3D digital information was transformed into exact physical replicas. The components were fabricated out of WISA board on-site using a mobile manufacturing facility.

HPH045 : Why Are More People Not Retrofitting Their Homes?

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 08:46:05 +0000

Upgrading your property so that it is more comfortable and costs less to run makes sense. If we're serious about tackling climate change then retrofitting has to be undertaken on a huge scale. So if it looks good on paper, why are very few people doing it?

In this discussion (which was one of our Google+ Hangouts) we consider some of the barriers that may be putting people off.

HPH044 : Avoiding the Risks of Poor Ventilation - with Mark Siddall from LEAP

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 18:25:58 +0000

Mark Siddall from LEAP (Low Energy Architectural Practice) explains the circumstances under which poor ventilation can occur and why the control strategy becomes increasingly important the more airtight the building is.

HPH043 : Building an Energy-Efficient Home on a Tight Budget - with David and Penny Learmonth

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 11:42:26 +0000

David and Penny Learmonth share their experience of building an ultra low energy home on a budget. They also project managed this themselves.

HPH042 : Can a Straw Bale House Reach Passivhaus Standard? - with Fran Bradshaw from Anne Thorne Architects

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 16:55:42 +0000

Fran Bradshaw from Anne Thorne Architects shares her experience of building an ultra low energy home using natural materials such as straw bales, lime render and clay plaster. The house is also aiming for the Passivhaus standard.

HPH041 : 5 Fundamentals to Creating a Better House - with Ben Adam-Smith

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 15:31:07 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith looks at some of the essentials that you need to understand if you are going to create an energy-efficient house. There is more detail in Ben's new e-book: Why Most People Don't Build Energy-Efficient Homes.

HPH040 : Is the Passivhaus Standard a World Standard? - with Martin Holladay from Green Building Advisor (Passive House)

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 15:23:53 +0000

Martin Holladay from Green Building Advisor talks about the pros and cons of the Passivhaus standard. He also explains why he believes the German standard is not the best approach for the North American climate.

HPH039 : Planning a Phased Retrofit - with Mark Elton from Sustainable BY Design

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 11:07:44 +0000

Mark Elton from Sustainable BY Design explains what a phased retrofit of a house entails and the steps necessary to make it a comprehensive set of measures. He also shares his views of which properties make the simplest and most cost effective retrofits.

HPH038 : What Type of Windows Do You Need in a Passivhaus? with Bronwyn Barry from One Sky Homes

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 13:29:00 +0000

Bronwyn Barry from One Sky Homes explains the evolution of windows and why modern windows are really pieces of equipment. She also shares what's involved when it comes to choosing high performance windows for a project.

HPH037 : Overcoming the Challenges of Self Build - with Jason Orme from Homebuilding & Renovating

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 18:52:35 +0000

Jason Orme, editor of Homebuilding & Renovating, shares some of the key challenges that self-builders face and what can be done to make sure they don't become pitfalls. He also explains how custom build might be a good option to explore for those who want a bespoke home but without the same level of risk.

HPH036 : How to Save Water in Your Home - with Cath Hassell from ech2o consultants

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 16:08:02 +0000

Cath Hassell from ech2o consultants shares why saving water - particularly hot water - is something we should all be doing. She also explains how we can achieve this in our houses through a mixture of technical solutions and behaviour change.

*A lot of the information in this episode is specific to the UK. This is because it became difficult to keep answering in general world terms because in each country it would be slightly different.*

HPH035 : Worldwide Trends in Green Design - with Lloyd Alter from TreeHugger

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 18:32:06 +0000

Lloyd Alter, Managing Editor of TreeHugger, explains how worldwide trends in green building have developed. He also shares his tips for self build success as well as some pitfalls to avoid.

HPH034 : Balancing Environmental Design and Low Energy Design - with Wilf Meynell

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 09:40:52 +0000

Architectural designer Wilf Meynell explains the concept of environmental design and why it is not the same thing as low energy design. He also shares how he has tried to balance these two approaches in one of his upcoming projects, Springfield House.

HPH033 : Are Conservation Techniques Becoming More Energy Efficient? with Douglas Kent from SPAB

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 10:56:13 +0000

Douglas Kent from The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings explains how to look after period properties and what advances are being made with conservation techniques in order to achieve greater energy efficiency.

HPH032 : Insulating a Period Property - with Tim Hulse from Ecovert Solutions

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 16:11:58 +0000

Tim Hulse from EcoVert Solutions explains what insulation is and why there are often trade-offs to be made when selecting insulation.

HPH031 : Is There an Optimum Housing Density When We Consider Sustainability? With Graham Towers

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 14:54:58 +0000

Architect, planner and author Graham Towers explains the fundamentals of housing density and why we really need to get it right in future developments.

HPH030 : How Do You Specify Sustainable Materials? - with Mark Wilson from BuildingDesignExpert.com

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 15:53:33 +0000

Mark Wilson from BuildingDesignExpert.com shares why he believes there is no such thing as a sustainable material and why it is our environment we are really hoping to sustain.

HPH029 : The Benefits of Scaling Down Your Build - with Sarah Susanka, Author of The Not So Big House

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 16:59:39 +0000

Architect and author Sarah Susanka shares why scale is such an important aspect to consider when building a house. She also explains how a 'not so big' philosophy can be applied in many areas of our lives.

HPH028 : How Cohousing Helps Build a Community - with Mark Westcombe from Lancaster Cohousing

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 11:06:39 +0000

Mark Westcombe, one of the founding members of Lancaster Cohousing, explains the cohousing concept and why creating an intentional community like this has many benefits.

HPH027 : Does Hiring a Project Manager Save Money? - with Mike Jacob from Trunk Low Energy Building

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 13:04:00 +0000

Mike Jacob from Trunk Low Energy Building provides an insight into the benefits of hiring a project manager for a house build. Also Ben Adam-Smith reflects on the UK Passivhaus Awards 2013.

HPH026 : Achieving Airtightness in Low Energy Buildings - with Paul Jennings from Aldas

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 10:59:29 +0000

Paul Jennings from Aldas explains why airtightness is an important factor to grasp when constructing an energy efficient home. He also shares how forward planning, attention to detail and teamwork are imperative for achieving good airtightness results.

HPH025 : The Myths of Passivhaus (Passive House) - with Elrond Burrell from Architype

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:25:20 +0000

Elrond Burrell from Architype helps bust some of the common myths that surround the Passivhaus standard.

HPH024 : Designing Buildings That Are Radically Sustainable Yet Elegantly Simple - with Jonathan Hines from Architype

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:31:07 +0000

Jonathan Hines from Architype explains the concept of eco-minimalism and also the very different approach that guides them as a business. We discover how this design philosophy has helped shape an exciting new scheme of 150 Passivhaus homes for the village of Kingstone, Herefordshire.

One the day this podcast was published the development - in conjunction with ArchiHaus - was granted planning approval! N.B. Our interview with Jonathan was recorded on 20th March 2013.

HPH023 : A Cottage Built with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) - with Kingsley Barraclough (Client Case Study)

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:00:29 +0000

Kingsley Barraclough shares his experience of building a house and explains why he decided to use structural insulated panels (SIPs).

HPH022 : Why Build a House with Straw Bales? - with Mark Saich from Green Building Solutions

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 04 May 2013 14:38:15 +0000

Mark Saich from Green Building Solutions gives an insight into why straw bale building is becoming popular. He also addresses some of the issues that we may harbour around the safety and durability of this low impact and low carbon material.

HPH021 : Creating Healthier Homes For New Zealand - with Matthew Cutler-Welsh from Home Style Green

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:52:29 +0000

Matthew Cutler-Welsh from Home Style Green explains some of the challenges of creating sustainable urban systems. He also shares his goals as a podcaster, including championing healthier, better homes for New Zealand.

HPH020 : An Introduction to Ventilation in The Home - with Andy Simmonds from Simmonds Mills Architects

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:42:38 +0000

Andy Simmonds from Simmonds Mills Architects explains ventilation in the home, why it's important and what the options are if you're looking to retrofit a property for energy efficiency.

HPH019 : How Does Self Build in the UK Compare to Germany? with Mark Brinkley, Author of The Housebuilder's Bible

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 13:12:19 +0000

Mark Brinkley considers why the UK has the smallest proportion of self build across Europe and what changes might need to occur if we wanted to adjust the balance. Mark shares why Germany's system is more likely to lead to higher standards and communities that embrace development.

HPH018 : Ecobuild 2013

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:25:51 +0000

London's Ecobuild has just concluded for another year and Ben Adam-Smith shares his experience of the event. In this episode he chats to four people he met there - Janet Cotterell from Passivhaus Homes, Jon Bootland from the Passivhaus Trust, Jo Gooding from the UK Cohousing Network and Robert Stern from Litmus Films.

HPH017 : Can a Ground Source Heat Pump Make an Old House Energy Efficient? with Justin Broadbent from ISO Energy

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:24:37 +0000

Justin Broadbent from isoenergy explains what a ground source heat pump is and how it could be used as a solution to make a period property energy efficient.

HPH016 : Finding The Balance Between Heritage and Sustainable Design

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:04:30 +0000

What's more important - preserving heritage architecture or retrofitting it to high energy efficiency? In our first forum on a Google+ Hangout we discuss some of the issues.

The Panel

Writer and blogger Roger Hunt (who appeared in our 10th podcast)

Writer and Passivhaus consultant Adam Dadeby from Passivhaus Homes (who appeared in our 5th podcast)

Homeowner Ross Atkin (who has recently retrofitted his Victorian house)

HPH015 : How Content Marketing Could Help to Promote Positive Actions Against Climate Change

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:25:00 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith shares an idea he has about using the Internet to communicate the need for incremental lifestyle change as an action to combat climate change. This one-off episode focusses on how you could use content marketing to get your message across. Cesar Abeid from The Construction Industry Podcast is Ben's guest and helps explain how content marketing works.

HPH014 : Low Energy Barn Conversions - with Bill Butcher from Green Building Store

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:42:22 +0000

Bill Butcher from Green Building Store shares his approach to creating a low energy barn conversion by building a box within a box. Stirley Community Farm will meet the EnerPHit standard.

HPH013 : What Preparation is Necessary Before Building a House? - with Jason and Lucy Reeve (Client Case Study)

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 07:27:48 +0000

Jason and Lucy Reeve share what preparation was necessary to commission their new-build home and Ben Adam-Smith considers what's more important in renovation, preserving the past or creating a sustainable future.

HPH012 : Should You Invest in Renewable Energy? - with Dr Derek Taylor from Altechnica

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 08:36:34 +0000

Dr Derek Taylor from Altechnica weighs up the pros and cons of various renewable energy sources and shares his thoughts on whether you should be generating at home. He also talks about his role in creating one of the UK's most energy-efficient homes.

HPH011 : Building Houses That Alleviate Fuel Poverty - with Dr Brenda Boardman from the Environmental Change Institute (ECI), Oxford University

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:29:59 +0000

Dr Brenda Boardman reflects on the world's energy situation, climate change and the growing problem of fuel poverty. She gives practical advice on how this affects building or renovating a property.

HPH010 : Can You Damage an Old House When Making it Energy Efficient? - with Roger Hunt

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:09:53 +0000

Roger Hunt explains how to make a period property energy efficient without damaging the building or creating problems for yourself in the future. Also House Planning Help gets its first guest blogger, Paul Mallion from Conker Conservation.

HPH009 : Retrofitting a Victorian House to Passivhaus Standard #2 - with Alex Rice from Green Tomato Energy

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:10:43 +0000

Alex Rice, Senior Engineer at Green Tomato Energy, explains that there are few technical challenges that remain when retrofitting a period home into a low energy building and it is a case of how you apply those solutions to the given building.

HPH008 : Retrofitting a Victorian House to Passivhaus Standard #1 - with Tom Pakenham from Green Tomato Energy

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:52:49 +0000

Tom Pakenham from Green Tomato Energy describes the practical challenges of making a Victorian house energy efficient. Plus how passive house principles helped a Norwegian explorer in the 1890s.

HPH007 : A Client's Perspective of Building an Eco House - with Tahir Sharif

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 12:19:57 +0000

Tahir Sharif talks about how he built up his knowledge in order to commission an energy efficient home, while Ben discovers some great thinking from the Home World Exhibition of 1981.

HPH006 : How to Save Money When Buying Land

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:23:18 +0000

Ted Stevens, Chairman of the National Self Build Association in the UK, gives his advice on how to find a good plot of land at a reasonable price. Plus, why Almere in Holland could be a blueprint for other large scale self build developments across the world.

HPH005 : The Passivhaus Standard #3 Retrofitting to Passivhaus (Passive House)

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:11:00 +0000

Adam Dadeby from Passivhaus Homes talks about some of the challenges he faced when retrofitting his own home to the Passivhaus standard. He's also co-author of a new book called The Passivhaus Handbook.

HPH004 : The Passivhaus Standard #2 Dr Wolfgang Feist (Passive House)

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 15:59:00 +0000

Dr Wolfgang Feist describes how better energy efficiency opens a path to making us less dependent on fossil fuels and we have that knowledge now.

HPH003 : The Passivhaus Standard #1 A Passivhaus Builder's Story (Passive House)

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:31:15 +0000

Pat Wilkinson from Touchwood Homes reveals why he decided to build to the Passivhaus standard and there's a resource for young industry professionals who might just be completing their architecture degrees or building training etc.

HPH002 : The House Design You Want And The Low Running Costs

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:19:11 +0000

Martin Evans from The Malthouse Consultancy talks about energy efficiency and Ben Adam-Smith sets up a consumer mastermind group on LinkedIn to collate the good and bad of house design.

HPH001 : What Makes a Successful Builder of Traditional Homes?

ben@houseplanninghelp.com (Ben Adam-Smith) — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:16:00 +0000

Ben Adam-Smith explains his motivation for creating this podcast and there's an interview with Simon Lewis, Managing Director of RW Armstrong, a residential builder in the South East of England.