The Building Sciology Poddie

What happens when a top-tier corporate finance expert gets fed up with the investment world and decides to retrain in sustainable building design? You get a refreshing, zero-nonsense look at how badly the Australian housing market is currently failing us - and how we can fix it.
This week, Jess sits down with Michael Drage, the award-winning designer behind Reimagined Habitat. Michael treats building science less like an ideological crusade and more like a smart investment strategy: it’s all about research, precision, and de-risking the build.
If you’re tired of the "marketing spin" around 7-star energy upgrades and want to understand how a house actually functions for your health and wallet, this episode is a must-listen.

Find the full show notes here

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Thank you to our sponsors:
⁠⁠⁠Enduro Builders⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠Climasure ⁠

Discover how innovative app Tools™ is transforming the construction industry by simplifying access to building codes, standards, and craftsmanship techniques. Jess Kismet interviews industry veteran Jerry Tyrrell about the app’s design, impact, and future potential to elevate building quality worldwide.

Special Offer: Use code JESS20 for a discount on Tools™ and explore the app’s features - expires Nov 4 2026

Download the app on the App Store here and the Play Store here

Thanks to Jerry for sharing his insights and vision for a smarter, better-built future. 

Find the full show notes here

Connect with Jess here:
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Thank you to our sponsors:
⁠⁠Enduro Builders⁠⁠
⁠⁠Climasure

In today’s rapidly changing world, the way we build our homes plays a crucial role in our overall well-being. Join me as I chat with Karina Rafailov, a Blue Mountains designer and founder of Earthy Haus. We chat about sustainable architecture and community education, shedding light on how better informed choices can lead to much healthier living environments!

Find the full show notes here

Connect with Jess here:
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Thank you to our sponsors:
⁠Enduro Builders⁠
⁠Climasure

How do you design a home that lasts centuries?
Renowned architect Steve Baczek (The Build Show, Unbuild It Podcast) joins me on the show to break down the fundamentals of building science. From the "Perfect Wall" to the four critical control layers, Steve explains why "buildings needing to breathe" is a dangerous myth and how collaboration between architects and builders is the key to success.

Episode Highlights:
01:10 - Steve’s journey from Building Science Corp to the Build Show.
06:54 - The 4 Control Layers: Water, Air, Vapor, and Thermal.
21:40 - The "Breathing" Myth: Why airtightness is non-negotiable.
38:47 - Overhangs & Eaves: The 2-to-1 rule for water management.
45:12 - The "Perfect Wall" across different climates.
53:13 - The best wall you can build on a budget.
1:13:55 - Steve’s #1 piece of advice for the next generation.

Find the full show notes here

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Thank you to our sponsors:
Enduro Builders
Climasure

Is your home actually making you sick, or is there more to the story? In this episode, I’m joined by Zara D’Cotta, founder of The Healthy Home, to explore the intersection of traditional construction and human biology. Zara shares the personal health journey that led her to building biology and presents her case for why "sustainable" design doesn’t always equal a healthy living environment.
We look at everything from the hidden trade-offs of recycled insulation to EMFs and lots more.
The world of EMFs can feel overwhelming and is often met with plenty of scepticism. In this conversation, Zara and I discuss the gap between current building codes and research, so whether you’re a firm believer or still weighing the evidence, this episode is a deep dive into the science, the controversy, and the evolving global standards of EMFs and building biology.

Find the show notes on the website.
Thank you to our sponsors Enduro Builders and Climasure
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