The Building Sciology Poddie

In this conversation, I speak with Jake Turner, a tradie turned building surveyor and founder of JT Certification Services. We discuss Jake's journey in the construction industry, the importance of quality control, and the challenges faced in building compliance and regulations. Jake emphasises the need for better education and communication within the industry, as well as the significance of energy efficiency in building performance. The conversation highlights the role of private certifiers in streamlining processes and the necessity for collaboration among builders and certifiers to improve outcomes.Useful linksJT Certification Services - Mount Gambier - websiteRobe Passive House- InstagramSean Maxwell - ATTMA Aus and NZ Scheme Manager - W: https://www.bcta.group/attma/attma-anz/ E: [email protected] does a building surveyor do? - “The report found building surveyors were more than seven times more likely to have their registrations cancelled than any other class of building practitioner.”Mouldy frames in Adelaide - Instagram postAustralian College of Environmental Studies - do you want to become a building biologist?What is NatHERSSA’s building code paused for 10 yearsNational Building Code Pause until 2029The TikTok Inspector - TikTok accountShine Hub - smart affordable solar and battery solutionsSocial Media LinksBuilding SciologyCimasure (sponsor)Enduro Builders (sponsor)

In this final episode of the Building Sciology Poddie for 2025, I had a great chat with architect and healthy home expert Pippa Lee of Haven Designed Healthy Homes.We discussed the importance of designing homes that support health and wellbeing, the impact of indoor environments on health, and practical tips for builders to create healthier spaces.Pippa shares her journey in architecture, her experiences in New York, and the significance of using non-toxic materials. We also explore the WELL Building Standard and the importance of water quality and filtration in homes.I hopoe you enjoy and please leave a 5 star review and follow along if you enjoyed the content. Cheers!Useful LinksZara D’Cotta - Healthy Materials Master MindCIRS ExplainedPurchase an ERMI test - $459 - $500Understanding the WELL Building StandardWELL Standard - ResidentialGreen Star HomesRoadmap to becoming a WELL APWaters Co Ace Bio+ jugWell Verti shower filterNatural v Synthetic furniture - how fast they burnSocial Media LinksBuilding Sciology InstagramClimasure InstagramEnduro Builders Facebook

In this episode, I chat with Shawn McIsaac and Peter Raimondo, of Oculus, to discuss building science, energy efficiency, and the challenges of modern construction. They explore the importance of airtightness, the risks of condensation, and the evolving building codes in New Zealand and Canada. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration between architects and builders, the role of government incentives, and the future of high-performance building.Useful linksOculus Engineering website - podcast informationOculous Engineering - You Tube ChannelOculus Engineering instagramRetrofit postVictorian Gov insulation scheme 2025Botched insulation scheme - BBCBRANZ - “Roof space moisture - it’s complicated”Aussie warm roof v European warm roofParka Wrap- external insulation systemMouldy townhouses in Adelaide - instagram postScoping Study into Condensation - has building code recommendations for 2019/2022/2025Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings - DCCEEWBuilding SciologyClimasureEnduro BuildersShow Noteshttps://building-sciology-poddie.podcastpage.io/?v=lfcm

In this episode of The Building Sciology Poddie, I, Jess Kismet, discuss the ongoing building crisis in Victoria with guests Kerry Auld and Chris Crewther MP. They explore the failures of the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), the impact of combustible cladding, and the struggles faced by homeowners. The conversation delves into the need for accountability in the building industry, recent legislative changes, and the establishment of the new Building and Plumbing Commission. The episode emphasises the importance of consumer protection and learning from past mistakes to prevent future crises.Useful LinksArticle read in the introduction - Horror $9m early Christmas present for 33 apartment ownersWhat is the Leaky Building Crisis - NZ?Rottenomics - The Story of New Zealand’s Leaky Buildings Disaster - buy on AmazonArticles relevant to this interviewThe Age - 20th February 20199 News - 20th February, 2019The Project - 12th March, 2019The Age - 15th October, 2019Chris Crewther MP - statement to Parliament 10th December 2024Frankston Cladding - 9 News FacebookSix-year-old apartment block full of leaks, cracks, mould Builders to blame for bad cladding will now be chased through courtsCombustible cladding removal costs and uncertainties causing anxiety in building owners - ABC News'We can’t afford this': Home owners bear brunt of cladding crisisApartment owners fear for 'suicidal' neighbours as combustible cladding crisis takes its toll$500 bill final nail in the coffin for struggling homeownerCladding Crisis - The ProjectDay two and still no answer from the Minister for Planning.Fed up Frankston South home owners are pleading for help to fix their apartment building wrapped in dangerous combustible cladding.Chris Crewther MP - Again in Parliament I urged the Labor Government’s Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny to support the desperate residentsHome owners left high and dry while their building crumbles around themSocial Media LinksBuilding Sciology - Better Buildings to Live and Breathe InClimasure - Better Buildings and Peace of MindEnduro Builders - We build award winning high performing, energy efficient and Passivhaus homesVisit the website for a full transcript

In this episode, Dr. Wolfgang Feist ,founder of the Passive House Institute, joins me Jess Kismet to unpack why the Passive House standard continues to spark debate across the building world. Why does a building standard evoke such passion, loyalty, and even resistance?We explore how innovation in architecture and building science is often misunderstood, and why new ideas, like Passive House, can feel revolutionary to some and incremental to others. Wolfgang draws parallels to historical, scientific breakthroughs, reminding us that progress doesn’t always mean reinvention.From the importance of critical thinking in evaluating standards to the human tendency to defend familiar ways of building, this episode takes a thoughtful look at how emotion, history, and science intersect in the pursuit of better buildings.Useful LinksWhat is Passive HouseWho is Dr Wolfgang Feist?Who is Fridtjof Nansen?Bo Adamon - Lund University - Co-creator of Passive HouseThe World's First Passive House - Darmstadt - Kranichstein, GermanyWho is Amory Lovins?Who is Kara RosemeierWho is Ole FangerThe Camel - a living air conditionerSocial Media LinksBuilding Sciology InstagramEnduro Builders InstagramClimasure Instagram