The Building Sciology Poddie – Details, episodes & analysis

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

Useful Links from our chat

Dr Joe Lstibureks' website

Bushfire Best Practice Guide

Chapters

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

01:41 Debunking Myths in Building Science

05:32 Render and Insulation: A Complex Relationship

11:56 Moisture Management in Building Design

18:11 Learning from Past Mistakes in Building Practices

26:39 Understanding Roof Design and Challenges

29:38 The Debate: Plywood vs OSB

32:10 Building Materials and Fire Safety

39:00Venting Issues and Building Resilience

42:10 Industry Practices and Recommendations

46:15 Legacy and Indoor Air Quality Awareness

Follow Building Sciology on the gram or get in touch at jess@buildingsciology.net!

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

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

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

Useful links from our chat

ACES - Australian College of Natural Sciences website

Healthy Home Healthy Family - Nicole’s best selling book

CIRS & Mould Medical Testing Information

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

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

Mould in the Home 101 - excellent website / resource

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

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

Chapters

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

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

09:51 Understanding Geopathic Stress and Its Effects

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

20:30 Mold: The Silent Health Threat

24:16 Navigating Environmental Challenges in Modern Living

26:58 Introduction to Mould in Building Biology

29:22 Mold Remediation Techniques

32.37 Understanding Mold Conditions and Standards

35.14 Health Impacts of Mold Exposure

37.54 The Role of Construction Practices

41.16 The Importance of Education and Awareness

43.54 Practical Tips for a Healthy Home

Follow Building Sciology on the⁠ ⁠gram⁠⁠ or get in touch as jess@buildingsciology.net!

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

In this conversation, Dr. Sarah Feiss shares her journey in building a passive house, discussing the principles of passive house design, the importance of energy efficiency in building codes, and the challenges faced in the Australian construction industry. She emphasises the need for better education and training for builders and designers, as well as the growing influence of homeowners in driving sustainable building practices. The discussion highlights the potential for improvement in building standards and the importance of understanding building physics for creating healthy living environments.

Thanks for listening!

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

Useful links from our chat

Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings

Sustainable Builders Alliance

Net Zero Ready Homes

Tools app

Little Pot of Gold

Sarah’s Insta account

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Passive House and Sarah's Journey

02:48 Building a Passive House: The Process and Principles

05:42 Understanding Passive House Certification and Standards

08:07 The Role of Building Codes in Energy Efficiency

10:49 Challenges in Australian Building Practices

12:53 The Importance of Education in Sustainable Building

15:56 The Future of Building: Going Beyond Minimum Standards

21:18 Building Healthy Structures

23:32 Navigating the National Construction Code

27:24 Future of Sustainable Building in Australia

Follow Building Sciology on the ⁠gram⁠ or get in touch as jess@buildingsciology.net!

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

In this conversation, I interview Ben Walsham, an energy efficiency consultant, about his journey from architecture to energy consulting. We discuss the importance of sustainable building practices, the impact of evolving building codes, and the need for collaboration between architects and energy consultants. Ben emphasises a human-centered approach to energy efficiency, focusing on how buildings affect the occupants' comfort and well-being. We also touch on trends in renovations, compliance pathways for energy efficiency, and the future of energy standards in the building industry.

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

Useful Links from our Chat

www.arkata.au

TED Talk - Why the buildings of the future will be shaped by ... you

What's a McMansion and how can we prevent more of them?

How architecture can create dignity for all

Ministerial Building Standard 013

Follow Building Sciology on the ⁠gram ⁠or get in touch at jess@buildingsciology.net!

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

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

Useful links from our chat

What is WUFI? 

What is Passivhaus?

Enduro Builders SA

Passivhaus Display Home Website

Australian Passive House Association

Display Home Airbnb - the Enduro Display home is no longer listed on Air BnB

What is NatHERS?

What is Heat Recovery Ventilation?

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Energy Efficiency in Building

00:45 Jackson's Journey to Sustainable Building

04:13 The Importance of Education in Building Practices

07:07 Quality Control in Carpentry and Building

11:26 Designing for Performance: Closing the Gap

15:09 Addressing the Performance Gap in Building

19:04 The Need for Continuous Professional Development

20:43 Understanding Construction Pricing and Value

23:11 Energy Efficiency in Building: Three Levels Explained

28:01 The Importance of Thermal Bridging in Construction

30:41 Navigating Mould Issues in New Homes

32:18 The Role of Energy Modeling in Building Design

Follow Building Sciology on the gram or get in touch at jess@buildingsciology.net!

Visit the website for show notes and full transcript!

Join the mailing list here

Head to the show notes page here

I’m excited to introduce the The Building Sciology Poddie — in it I bring you a blend of building science and biology knowledge I have gathered over the last decade or so. I started in building design game and evolved very quickly into energy efficiency and sustainability. I like a pretty building as much as anyone else, but knowing how they work and how to get it right from the beginning makes way more sense to me. Through my years in this industry, I’ve realised how crucial good information is because the unfortunate fact is that what gets designed is not always what gets built and professionals in varying pockets of the industry not all the same in their skills and integrity. Some are super keen to learn and improve, others not so much so my mission is to improve communication around building codes and better building practices here in Australia! That’s why I’m thrilled to announce the launch of this podcast. It’s a space to fill those knowledge gaps and connect with everyone involved in the building industry—from designers and builders to homeowners and more. Head here for more information and our contact page. Click here for the Building Sciology Instagram page. Sponsors Thank you so much to Enduro Builders and Climasure for your support! Head to their social pages and follow along! Enduro - Facebook / Instagram Climasure - Facebook / Instagram Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Building Sciology Podcast 00:26 A bit of a backstory 02:05 A quick sponsor shoutout 02:29 Then came building biology 04:08 The Purpose of the Podcast 05:05 Upcoming Episodes and Guest Lineup 05:57 Get in touch! See you on January 6th 2025 for the official launch of the Building Sciology Poddie!! Jess xx

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

Useful links from our chat

• ATTMA UK​

• ATTMA Australia​

• NatHERS – National House Energy Rating Scheme​

• Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA)​Green Building Council of Australia+1Green

• Red Pen Test – AIVAA​Green Building Council of Australia

• CSIRO 2015 – House Energy Efficiency Inspections Report​

• CSIRO 2024 – Air Infiltration of New Dwellings​

• International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

• Chris Nunn’s Passivhaus – Asquith Project​Australian Passivhaus Association

• Chris Nunn – LinkedIn Profile​LinkedIn+2LinkedIn+2LinkedIn+2

• Barry Cope – ATTMA UK Presentation​

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Airtightness and Building Science

00:24 The Role of Blower Door Testing

03:20 Understanding Airtightness and Its Importance

06:35 Quality Control and Airtightness Testing

09:34 Common Misconceptions About Airtightness

12:34 Ventilation Strategies in Airtight Homes

15:30 Regulatory Landscape for Airtightness Testing

19:47 Building with Purpose: The Atma Philosophy

22:09 The Importance of Objective Assessments in Building Quality

23:27 NatHERS Ratings and the Need for Air Tightness

28:07 Opportunities for Improvement in Energy Efficiency

30:56 Achieving Air Tightness: Practical Strategies

36:28 The Impact of Recent Studies on Building Practices

41:31 Future Directions: Advocacy for Better Building Standards

Follow Building Sciology on the gram or get in touch at jess@buildingsciology.net!

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

Sponsor Websites

Climasure

Enduro Builders

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

Follow Building Sciology on the ⁠gram ⁠or get in touch at jess@buildingsciology.net!

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

In this episode of the Building Sciology Poddie, I chat with Luke Callery, the founder of Callery Building, an Adelaide-based construction company, increasingly known for its commitment to high-quality craftsmanship and energy-efficient building practices. Luke shares his journey from a traditional carpentry apprenticeship to embracing high-performance building techniques through programs like Elevate. He discusses the importance of education, networking, and collaboration in the construction industry, as well as the challenges and successes of growing his team and adapting to client expectations. The conversation highlights the significance of building better homes that prioritize comfort, sustainability, and energy efficiency.Useful Links from Our Chat⁠Elevate Program⁠⁠Live Life Build⁠⁠How does a heat recovery ventilation system work?⁠⁠What is a blower door test?⁠⁠Build Insite Instagram ⁠⁠Certified Passivhaus Tradesperson Course⁠⁠Yourhome.gov.au⁠⁠Mindful Builder Podcast⁠⁠Climasure Blogs⁠⁠Sustainable Builders Alliance by Builders Declare⁠⁠Adelaide Sustainable Building Network⁠⁠Undercover Architect⁠⁠On what happened in South Australia with the NCC is a bad look - The Fifth Estate⁠Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background of Luke Callery 00:59 The Journey of Callery Building and the Elevate Program 03:30 Transitioning to High Performance Building Practices 06:43 The Importance of Education and Mentorship in Building 09:24 Core Philosophy and Mission of Callery Building 10:04 Types of Projects and Energy Efficiency Challenges 12:12 Client Expectations and Balancing Costs 15:10 Communication and Reducing Variations in Projects 27:09 Educating Architects and Designers 32:34 The Importance of Collaboration in Construction 37:14 Building Relationships: The Role of Communication 41:20 Growing and Expanding the Team 50:10 Advice for Aspiring Builders 52:07 Future Vision for Callery Building 54:36 Navigating Energy Efficiency and Building CodesFollow Building Sciology on the ⁠gram ⁠or get in touch at jess@buildingsciology.net!

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

Sponsor WebsitesClimasureEnduro Builders

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

Useful Links From Our Chat

Adelaide Sustainable Building Network

Solar Decathlon

Glenn Murcutt - Australian Architect

Sustainable House Day - 5th May 2025

Renew Sustainable House Day - Webinar series 2025

The Green Book

ASBN  YouTube Channel

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sustainability in Architecture

01:10 Ken's Journey into Sustainability

06:11 The Role of Education in Sustainability

09:06 The Adelaide Sustainable Building Network

14:58 Engagement and Community in Sustainability

20:17 Events and Networking Opportunities

25:17 Challenges in Promoting Sustainability

29:43 Making Sustainability Appealing

31:42 The Perception of Sustainability

35:02 Social Dynamics and Sustainability

40:12 The Green Book: A Resource for Sustainability

45:03Policy Changes for Sustainable Living

52:52Key Takeaways on Sustainable Housing

Follow Building Sciology on the ⁠gram ⁠or get in touch at jess@buildingsciology.net!

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