'Get it Right with Undercover Architect' Podcast
Season 08: A simple guide to a sustainable home
Creating a sustainable home means one that is energy efficient, functional, low tox, environmentally friendly and supports your health and well-being.
In this season, we will share key ways to create your sustainable new home or renovation.
Get started on designing your future home ... and get it right! Request your free 5 Step E-Guide now.
[#092] Introduction to Season 8 | A Simple Guide to a Sustainable Home
Season 08 | Episode 00
Sustainability and Sustainable design is a BIG topic.
It’s a complex topic too … all the definitions, considerations, building science, technology and details … not to mention the greenwashing you need to avoid as well.
And so, I’m calling this season “A Simple Guide to a Sustainable Home”. And that’s what I’m aiming to do – keep things simple.
This is not only for the greenies and environmentalists in the Undercover Architect audience – this is great knowledge for everyone to access.
[#093] Terminology, the Sustainability Minefield and Why Should We Care?
Season 08 | Episode 01
Does designing a sustainable home really matter? Can we make that much of a difference with our own home renovation or new build?
Do we really need to care? It can be a minefield riddled with terminology. Listen in now to learn more.
When it comes to building or renovating a sustainable home, it gets a whole new level of terminology. I sometimes feel that all this terminology does more to confuse us than help us.
[#094] 12 Super Simple, Impactful Tips in Creating a Sustainable Home
Season 08 | Episode 02
Want super simple, impactful tips to create a sustainable home?
Here’s 12 you can put into action right now in your renovation or new home.
These are the types of tips that, if you know them upfront, you can create a design that incorporates them and have it not cost anymore.
[#095] Energy Efficient Home Design and how it can save you money
Season 08 | Episode 03
Want to know how to achieve an energy efficient home?
When you design your home this way, it can save money in construction and in its running costs.
When you design your home to suit its climate, you can dramatically impact its long term energy costs. Not only this – achieving a specific level of energy efficiency is actually legislated in a lot of locations, and is required in order to achieve your necessary approvals.
So, I’m bringing on an Energy Efficiency Consultant to share some fantastic information with us on this topic.
[#096] An Introduction to Building Biology | Interview with Narelle McDonald, Healthy Living Spaces
Season 08 | Episode 04
What is Building Biology?
And how can using it improve your health and wellbeing in your home?
So, what is Building Biology? I find many homeowners aren’t aware of this field, and yet it’s been around for a while.
And it can be a really helpful resource if you’re trying to create a home that supports your health and wellbeing.
There is a lot that is do-able in your existing home, new build or renovation, that often doesn’t cost anymore.
[#097] Choosing Energy Efficient Glass Windows and Doors | Interview with Tracey Gramlick, (AWA)
Season 08 | Episode 05
Are you confused about choosing energy efficient glass windows and doors for your new home or renovation?
There’s some key things to know when selecting your glass windows and doors, so you make the best choice for your home’s energy efficiency. Here’s some tips to help you choose well.
Many homeowners know they want a lot of glass in their homes to enhance that indoor / outdoor connection, bring light and breezes into their home, and help it feel spacious.
[#098] Part 1 | Solar Power and what you need to know for your home | Interview with Lucy Best, (MEFL)
Season 08 | Episode 06
Are you thinking about solar power for your new home or renovation?
One of the big conversation topics that comes up when talking about how to create a sustainable home is solar energy … and whether it’s worthwhile to install a solar system on your home.
And so that’s what this episode – and the next – is all about. What you need to know about solar energy, and how to know a solar system will be worthwhile for your renovation or building project.
[#099] Part 2 | Choosing solar power for your renovation or new build | Interview with Lucy Best, (MEFL)
Season 08 | Episode 07
Want to know whether solar power is worthwhile for your new home or renovation?
In the last episode, Lucy and I began our conversation about solar energy and solar systems for your home.
Lucy Best is the Community Engagement Lead for the Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd, and they run a programme called Positive Charge.
[#100] Healthy Interiors: Creating your low tox home | Interview with Melissa Wittig, Interior Designer
Season 08 | Episode 08
Do you want to make low tox choices for your interior finishes and fixtures when renovating or building your family home?
Melissa Wittig from Healthy Interiors is a ‘health-focused’ Interior Designer. In this episode, she shares some fantastic knowledge and insight into what you need to know about low tox choices for your home.
Melissa has over 15 years industry experience, and her work not only focuses on Interior Design, but also in helping homeowners understand how to make low tox choices that create healthy interiors. And she’ll explain more about what this means in this interview.
[#105] What is Passive House (or Passivhaus)? | Interview with Daniel Kress of Smart Plus Homes
Season 08 | Episode 09
What is Passive House? Or Passivhaus (as the Germans say!)
Passive House offers an opportunity to create a home that is comfortable, improves your health and well-being, and lowers the energy use of your home.
What’s Passive House? Well, you may be familiar with it when it’s spelt the German way – Passivhaus.
Let me say upfront … Passive House is not to be confused with Passive Design or Passive solar design.
[#106] The Client who wanted a Passive House | Interview with David Rhind, Owl Woods Passive House Project
Season 08 | Episode 10
What happens when you decide you want to build your forever family home as a Passive House?
This is the story of a homeowner who did just that.
I’m really excited to be introducing you to the Owl Woods Passive House Project.
The Owl Woods Passive House is a new home being built Victoria.
Its design meets the Passive House requirements and will be certified as a Passive House when complete.
[#107] The Architect who designed a Passive House | Interview with Talina Edwards, Talina Edwards Architecture
Season 08 | Episode 11
How is a Passive House designed?
And what specialist skills does an architect need to be able to design one?
Talina Edwards, of Talina Edwards Architecture, is the architect on the Owl Woods Passive House project.
This project didn’t start out as a Passive House, and Talina didn’t start the project as a Passive House Certified Designer … but that’s what she is now, and that’s what the house is now.
[#108] The Consultant who tests and measures the Passive House | Interview with Luc Plowman, Detail Green
Season 08 | Episode 12
So you want to build or renovate a Passive House?
Your specialist team may need to include a Certified Passive House Consultant to help test and measure your Passive House design.
Let me introduce to you Luc Plowman, of Detail Green. Luc is a Passive House Certified Consultant and Certifier. In fact, he’s only one of 2 Passive House certified building certifiers in the country, and there’s only about 50 world-wide.
[#109] The Builder constructing Passive House | Interview with Stuart Lee, Craftsmen Quality Builders
Season 08 | Episode 13
How do you build a Passive House?
The construction of a Passive House requires specific processes and knowledge. Learn what it takes to build the Owl Woods Passive House Project in my interview with Stuart Lee. In this episode, we meet Stuart Lee of Craftsmen Quality Builders.
Stuart is the builder for the Owl Woods Passive House, and if you listened to my interview with David Rhind, the client and owner, you may recall that it was when they met Stuart, that they got interested in making this home a Passive House, and dived into this whole process.
[#110] The Certifier and an Australian Passive House Pioneer | Interview with Clare Parry, Grun Consulting
Season 08 | Episode 14
Is Passive House necessary in Australia?
This is a question many ask because they believe the Australian climate is too mild to necessitate the Passive House approach.
Yet, Clare Parry disagrees. She is a Director and Principal at Grun Consulting, and is a Certified Passive House Certifier and Trainer. Clare was also one of the founding members of the Australian Passive House Association. Its vision is to lead change by educating, promoting, and supporting the delivery of Certified Passive House buildings in Australia.
[#111] The Passive House Renovator | Interview with Cameron Munro, Armadale House
Season 08 | Episode 15
How do you renovate a home as a Passive House (or Passivehaus)?
Especially when that home is an early 1900s weatherboard cottage?
In this episode, I’m going to be sharing the experience of a homeowner who renovated their early 1900s weatherboard home into a Passive House. They’ve lived in it now for 3 years, and it’s located in inner Melbourne, about 10km from the CBD.
This project is a great opportunity to see how an old weatherboard home can be renovated into a Passive Home that is comfortable and saves thousands in running costs each year.
[#112] Building a Sustainable Forever Home | Interview with Frances Cosway, White Pebble Interiors
Season 08 | Episode 16
Want to build a sustainable forever home? Frances Cosway of White Pebble Interiors tells us about her family home.
The White Pebble Home is a stunning example of a family home that is designed to be sustainable, flexible and adaptable. And it has a natural pool to die for!
Frances is an Interior Designer, published author and speaker with a passion for creating beautiful homes people love to live in. With over 15 years’ experience in renovating and building, her true passion lies with helping clients design and build their ‘Forever Homes’.
With over 30 years industry experience, Amelia Lee founded Undercover Architect in 2014 as an award-winning online resource to help and teach you how to get it right when designing, building or renovating your home. You are the key to unlocking what’s possible for your home. Undercover Architect is your secret ally