2023 Wrapped on the ‘Get it Right with Undercover Architect’ podcast: see the top 5 most downloaded podcasts for 2023.

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Hello! This is Episode 302, and in it, I want to share with you the top five most downloaded 2023 podcast episodes on Undercover Architect’s podcast.

There’s some great and varied topics in this top 5, and I’m really interested to see just how varied they are, and what you’re enjoying listening to.

I’d kind of expected that there’d be a theme to the top listened episodes this past year, but there’s not at all!

And interestingly it highlights just how varied the content is that’s been published on the podcast this year. 

This is the 38th episode I’m publishing for the year, and we’ve had everything from green roofs, to magnesium oxide board and low carbon concrete, to tips when working with a volume builder or owner building, through to builders’ margins and of course, the updates to the National Construction Code.

There’s so much to learn from – and that’s just the 2023 episodes. In total, there’s over 300 episodes, and we’ve just celebrated the 7th birthday of this podcast.

Woohoo!

So, in this episode, I’ll share some summaries of the info provided in these top 5 episodes so, if you’ve listened, you can be reminded about the main info in them. 

Or, if you haven’t listened, you’ll be able to get the top points, and then I’ll include the links in the resources if you’d like to listen to any of the full episodes later.

Now, let’s dive in!

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE NOW.

Here’s a list of the top 5 on 2023 Wrapped on ‘Get it Right with Undercover Architect’: my top 5 most downloaded episodes for 2023.

I’m going to start with the #5 most downloaded episode: “How to Design and Build an Energy Efficient, Zero Carbon Home”.

This was Episode 263, and was the very first episode from this year, and Part 2 of my conversation with Melanie Lupis from Sustainability Certified. 

Melanie and her team, which includes her husband, Kel, help educate; eliminate the confusion; and create a shift in mindset towards sensible, sustainable design. 

She and Kel are big supporters of Undercover Architect, and they do a huge amount in the industry to help advocate for better building, greater energy efficiency, and a clearer understanding of what it takes to achieve it in new builds and renovations.

In Episode 263, Mel shared her experience of working closely with building designer, Lachy McEwan, from Harmonic Design, on their entry into the True Zero Carbon Challenge in 2022. 

In the podcast, Mel also shared her views on NatHERS vs the Passive House modelling tool, PHPP. These two methods of assessing the energy performance and efficiency of a home can often be pitted against each other, which can be super confusing and quite demoralising for you as a homeowner, because you might be using NatHERS for affordability reasons, or access to specific team members, but end up feeling you’re choosing the ‘lesser’ version of the two. 

And that’s not the case at all. The tools are all about how you use them, and they can both help you make informed, data driven decisions about your design and selections.

The main message I feel Mel shared with us, that I think is the most helpful take-away from her episode is this: there’s huge value and benefit of getting your designer and thermal performance assessor – or energy efficiency assessor as they can also be known – working collaboratively together with you early in your project.

To listen or download the free PDF transcript, head to Episode 263.

Next, let’s look at the #4 most downloaded episode for 2023.

It was Episode 266, and Part 1 of my conversation with Joost Bakker about his project known as ‘Future Food System: the Zero Waste House’.

Joost was super generous in my conversation with him, sharing nuts and bolts details, product suggestions and strategies he utilised in designing and building the Future Food System’s building, including the infrastructure that made it self-sufficient in its services and waste production, all in the middle of a super urban location in Federation Square, Melbourne.

What I most admire about Joost is that he just gets down and takes action. He’s prototyped his zero waste concepts in several pop-up restaurants, and the Future Food System acted as a demonstration project of what can happen when your home operates as an ecosystem, producing food, managing its waste, and designing with the end in mind.

Joost is currently working on building his mother’s home in Monbulk. It’s a really exciting one where he’s using some tested methodologies, such as steel framing for the wall and roof structure, Durra Panel for the internal lining and Magnesium Oxide board for the exterior cladding. However, he’s also testing out some new products and strategies as well. 

My biggest take-away from my conversation with Joost? 

It’s what is possible when you create a strong vision for what you want to do and achieve. 

I see this all the time with the homeowners I work with, especially inside HOME Method.

Joost starts with the end in mind, and has very clear goals for his projects, whatever form they take. He’s able to attract aligned people, connect with amazing products, and also create projects that have a common theme of zero waste, as well as thinking about the building as an ecosystem and one that can grow food.

To listen or download the free PDF transcript, head to Episode 266.

My third most downloaded episode this year is Episode 270, ‘Your Roof Design: 5 Key Points to Know’. 

Over the years I’ve published a few episodes like this: nuts and bolts episodes that take you through key considerations, tips, mistakes to avoid, and the important things to know about a specific detail or component of your project and future home. 

I find they’re much loved episodes because they get granular, and give you something super actionable to walk away with, and apply on your own projects. So you often tell me how much you love these types of episodes.

Of course, I teach LOADS of this type of content inside my paid online courses, and especially inside HOME Method. But I know it’s appreciated when I bring it to the podcast every so often.

In this episode, I shared the 5 key points to consider when it comes to your roof design and construction, and to be discussing with your team. 

And the earlier you can discuss this, the better, because as I explained your roof design is best considered early in your design process, in order to get it right.

To listen or download the free PDF transcript, head to Episode 270.

The second most downloaded episode is another solo episode: Episode 269, which is called ‘I’ll Never Build Again’.

I created this episode after seeing a post in a free Facebook group where a poor homeowner started by saying: “I’m honestly so done with building. This is my first home and first building experience and I HATE it. I’ll never build again.”

They were then supported by over a hundred comments in the couple of days after with more and more stories of problem builds, problem builders, challenging and horrible experiences, and projects that were going pear-shaped, or had ended up terribly.

In this episode, I shared more stories and experiences I see can negatively impact your project experience and the home you create. 

And then, I took you through 7 pointers to remember as you dive into your renovation or new build, so you can set yourself up for success, support your mindset and surround yourself with the right tools, knowledge and people to help you deliver your vision.

To listen or download the free PDF transcript, head to Episode 269.

OK. We’re now at the pointy end … the big reveal … the most downloaded episode in 2023 on the ‘Get it Right with Undercover Architect’ podcast is: Episode 268 ‘5 Problems to Avoid When Starting Your Renovation or New Build’.

I find you really love the list episodes, the ones where I share numbered points on specific topics. So, we do have a fair few of these types of episodes on the podcast. 

I just want to share with you what I said in the beginning of this episode, because what I said in this episode definitely still stands.

I said this: “Before I jump in, I want to mention this: it’s worth understanding how differently the word ‘start’ can be defined for people in their project journey, and what ‘start’ actually represents. 

Because, if you think you’re still dreaming about your project, BUT you’re listening to this podcast, then as far as I’m concerned, you’ve already started your project journey. 

And it’s now a case of when you’ll turn this preparation and research into action, and take the necessary steps you need to.

But many don’t think of their early investigations as ‘starting’. And so they waste a huge amount of effort, energy and time as a result. 

So, I’m going to help you be more efficient and productive in that regard. Because frankly, who has any time to waste and fluff around these days, hey?”

It’s really worthwhile listening to this episode in its full version, or downloading the free transcript. It shares the five most common problems I see occur for people when they are just starting out, and what you need to do to avoid them, and turn things around for yourself.

To listen or download the free PDF transcript, head to Episode 268.

Thanks so much for joining me for this 2023 Wrapped episode, and I hope it’s been helpful to revisit those most downloaded episodes, and perhaps refresh your memory about things you might want to catch up on or revisit.

We’ll be continuing to bring you loads of helpful resources and information on all of Undercover Architect’s platforms. I’m so passionate about levelling the playing field, and giving you access to great know-how and insights based on my extensive experience, and that of the guests and collaborators I bring to you as well.And of course, my best teaching, guidance, support and info is inside HOME Method. I’d love to see you inside there and help you really get it right in your future home.

RESOURCES:

The top 5, most downloaded episodes for 2023 (counting from 5 to 1)

• Episode 263: ‘How to Design and Build an Energy Efficient, Zero Carbon Home’
• Episode 266: ‘Future Food System: the Zero Waste House, with Joost Bakker’
• Episode 270: ‘Your Roof Design: 5 Key Points to Know’
• Episode 269: ‘I’ll Never Build Again’
• Episode 268: ‘5 Problems to Avoid When Starting Your Renovation or New Build’

Extra links and resources:

Part 1 of my conversation with Melanie Lupis >>> Episode 262 ‘The Residential Efficiency Scorecard for Existing Homes, with Melanie Lupis, Sustainability Certified’

Episodes about Durra Panel, and my conversation with Managing Director, Derek Layfield:

• Episode 250, ‘Sustainable Wall and Ceiling Panels, with Derek Layfield, Durra Panel’
• Episode 251, ‘Compressed Straw Building Panels with Derek Layfield, Durra Panel’

The Greenhouse documentary ‘Greenhouse by Joost’ >>> Vimeo on Demand

Joost Bakker’s Instagram >>> See his mum’s house being shared here

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program, HOME METHOD >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

Learn more about how to interview and select the right builder with the Choose Your Builder mini-course >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/choose-your-builder

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan