The Building Sciology Poddie

• #5 - Building Science Myths Debunked with Dr. Joe Lstiburek

  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 chatwww.buildingscience.com - Dr Joe Lstibureks' websitehttps://research.csiro.au/bushfire/new-builds/roofs/ - Bushfire Best Practice GuideChapters00:00 Introduction to Building Science and Dr. Joe Lstiburek01:41 Debunking Myths in Building Science05:32 Render and Insulation: A Complex Relationship11:56 Moisture Management in Building Design18:11 Learning from Past Mistakes in Building Practices26:39 Understanding Roof Design and Challenges29:38 The Debate: Plywood vs OSB32:10 Building Materials and Fire Safety 39:00Venting Issues and Building Resilience42:10 Industry Practices and Recommendations46:15 Legacy and Indoor Air Quality AwarenessFollow Building Sciology on the gram or get in touch at [email protected]!Visit the website for show notes and a full transcript and sig up to the mailing list here!

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• #4 - Building Biology: How Your Home Affects Your Health with Dr Nicole Bijlsma

  Settle in during your drive or with a coffee at home for this episode because it’s a bit of a longer one.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 chatACES - Australian College of Natural Sciences websiteHealthy Home Healthy Family - Nicole’s best selling bookCIRS & Mould Medical Testing InformationS520 - IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mould RemediationS500 - NSI/IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage RestorationMould in the Home 101 - excellent website / resourceMould - scroll through for information on the HEPA sandwich cleaning method and moreVon Pohl -  The man who has been described as the modern 'father' of geopathic stress.Timestamps00:00 The Journey Begins: Building Biology and Personal Experience03:26 Environmental Impact on Health: The Role of Chemicals and EMFs09:51 Understanding Geopathic Stress and Its Effects16:34 Feng Shui and Building Biology: The Connection to Well-Being20:30 Mold: The Silent Health Threat24:16 Navigating Environmental Challenges in Modern Living26:58 Introduction to Mould in Building Biology29:22 Mold Remediation Techniques32.37 Understanding Mold Conditions and Standards35.14 Health Impacts of Mold Exposure37.54 The Role of Construction Practices41.16 The Importance of Education and Awareness43.54 Practical Tips for a Healthy HomeFollow Building Sciology on the⁠ ⁠gram⁠⁠ or get in touch as [email protected]!Visit the⁠ ⁠website⁠⁠ for show notes and a full transcript and sign up to the mailing list⁠ ⁠here⁠⁠! 

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• #3 - From Minimum to Masterpiece: Elevating Australian Building Standards with Dr Sarah Feiss - Architect

  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 - ⁠https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/energy-efficiency/buildings/trajectory-low-energy-buildings⁠  Sustainable Builders Alliance - https://www.thesba.com.au/ Net Zero Ready Homes - https://netzeroenergybuilder.com.au/netzero/welcome Tools app - https://buildingtools.co/ Little Pot of Gold - https://www.envirotecture.com.au/little-pot-of-gold/ Sarah’s Insta account - https://www.instagram.com/sarahfiess_architect/ 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 [email protected]! Visit the ⁠website⁠ for show notes and a full transcript and sign up to the mailing list ⁠here⁠! 

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• #2 - The Human Element in Energy Efficiency with Ben Walsham

  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 - Unfortunately I couldn't find the exact video we talked about in this episode but here are some other great TED talks! What's a McMansion and how can we prevent more of them? How architecture can create dignity for allMinisterial Building Standard 013 Follow Building Sciology on the ⁠gram ⁠or get in touch at [email protected]! Visit the ⁠website ⁠for show notes and full transcript and sign up to the mailing list here!

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  44:12
• #1 - Quality Control in Energy Efficient Construction with Jackson Digney

  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! 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 Useful links from our chat What is WUFI?  What is Passivhaus? Enduro Builders SA Passivhaus Display Home Website SA Passivhaus Display Home Airbnb What is NatHERS? What is Heat Recovery Ventilation? Follow Building Sciology on the gram or get in touch at [email protected]! Visit the website for show notes and full transcript! Join the mailing list here

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