House Planning Help Podcast

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If you want to build a house, where would you start?

Ben Adam-Smith


    • May 21, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 382 EPISODES

    4.9 from 27 ratings Listeners of House Planning Help Podcast that love the show mention: renovating, construction, ben's, usa, building, green, built, good luck, across, interested, questions, learn, world, information, time, work, listening, love, great, energy efficient home.



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    Latest episodes from House Planning Help Podcast

    HPH378: Accessibility for all – with Guy Harris

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 33:59


    Guy Harris from AccessiblePRS explains why accessible housing is important, what the key considerations are and how to deliver it well. He also shares his experience of designing his own house as a wheelchair user. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH377: Retrofitting a 1950s semi-detached ex-council house – with Toby Cambray

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 39:44


    Toby Cambray talks about the experience of working on his own retrofit project, and the lessons learnt in the process. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH376: What is WUFI? – with Toby Cambray

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 38:55


    Toby Cambray talks about the risks associated with moisture in buildings, and the modelling techniques – like WUFI® – that can be used to assess those risks. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH375: A day in the life of a builder – with Mike Whitfield

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 36:13


    Mike Whitfield shares his experience of running a local construction company that specialises in Passivhaus. He explains how the business is structured, and what tasks are tackled on a daily and weekly basis. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH374: Building for People - with Mike Eliason

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 45:21


    Mike Eliason talks about his book, Building for People, and the massive opportunity we have to create better places through being more intentional and thoughtful. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH373: Using a willow bed to treat sewage - with Laila Dudhill

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 31:05


    Laila Dudhill explains some of the challenges she faced when planning her new build home at the bottom of a sloping field. Not only did she have to deal with drainage across the site, diverting the natural flow of water away from the house, but also come up with a foul drainage strategy that would off-set phosphate discharge into the local watercourses. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH372: Introducing the circular economy to housing

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 44:45


    Katherine Adams and Connie Spoor talk about the circular economy and construction, and practical strategies for making reuse a priority on housing projects and self-builds. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH371: What is wood fibre insulation? – with Chris Brookman

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 35:42


    Chris Brookman from Back to Earth explains what wood fibre insulation is, how it could be used on a project and why careful specification is required. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH370: Where your money goes on a home retrofit project

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 60:49


    Florence Collier, founder of Humblebee, takes us step-by-step through the deep retrofit of her 1970s home. She explains the costs relating to each measure and the cumulative total as the project advances. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH369: Converting a barn to meet the Living Building Challenge – with Toby Diggens

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 46:56


    Toby Diggens explains what it takes to meet the requirements of the Living Building Challenge, and working to the standard when renovating an existing building. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH368: Creating biodiverse natural landscapes – with Toby Diggens

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2025 47:23


    Toby Diggens, founder and co-director of Digg and Co outlines how we can all contribute to creating ecologically diverse and resilient landscapes to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH367: A furniture maker builds a timber eco home – with Lucinda Leech

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 32:49


    Furniture maker Lucinda Leech shares her story of building a modest, but beautiful eco home. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH366: Could a home energy transformation pay for itself?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 45:12


    Howard Johns, founder of One Zero, outlines their home energy transformation service which includes topping up insulation and adding solar PV, battery storage and a heat pump. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH365: Becoming a housing activist – with Cypren Edmunds

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 37:58


    Cypren Edmonds, a housing activist and advocate for bio-based building materials, describes the challenges he has faced living in social housing in London, and the health benefits and energy efficiency that can be achieved through building with straw. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH364: The power of community led housing – with Kareem Dayes from RUSS

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 62:52


    Kareem Dayes, co-founder of RUSS in Lewisham, explains why setting up a Community Land Trust was a route to deliver genuinely affordable housing and create a better neighbourhood. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH363: Is it worth getting an asbestos survey for an existing home?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 48:37


    Greg Byrne from RB Asbestos Consultants explains what asbestos is, why it was used so widely in construction, its potential impact on health, and how you go about identifying and removing asbestos products. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH362: An easier way to build a certified Passivhaus – with Clare and Ross Booth

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 34:21


    Clare and Ross Booth from Coldwells Build share details of their prefabricated, turnkey Passivhaus designs that aim to simplify the delivery of high performance homes in Scotland. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH361: What's the difference between a renovation and a retrofit?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 44:22


    Paul Testa from HEM Architects explains the difference between renovation and retrofit, using his own home as an example of a deep retrofit. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH361: What's the difference between a renovation and a retrofit?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 44:22


    Paul Testa from HEM Architects explains the difference between renovation and retrofit, using his own home as an example of a deep retrofit. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH360: Why MVHR maintenance and servicing is important – with Richard Hollas

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 35:50


    Richard Hollas from 21 Degrees explains why regular MVHR maintenance and servicing is essential, what it entails, and we accompany him step-by-step as he services a unit. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH359: External shading solutions – with Paul Morris

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 34:56


    Paul Morris from Solar-Shield explains how external shading can help control solar gains and reduce internal temperatures, keeping your home cool as temperatures rise. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH358: Getting the right mortgage for a house build project – with Tom McSherry

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 42:58


    Tom McSherry from BuildStore explains the importance of cashflow when it comes to building a house and why a big part of selecting the right mortgage product is about planning your project around your budget and making sure you have accurate costings. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH357: Beginner's guide to eco renovation – with Judith Leary-Joyce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 50:21


    Judith Leary-Joyce shares her experience of retrofitting a Victorian end-terrace house to reduce energy consumption, make it more healthy and comfortable, and leave a sustainable legacy for future generations. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH356: What is Passivhaus certification? – with Kym Mead

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 35:03


    Kym Mead from Mead Consulting explains what Passivhaus certification is, how the process works and why there is a difference between certified Passivhaus buildings and those that just adopt a 'Passivhaus principles' approach. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH355: The Story of Upfront Carbon - with Lloyd Alter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 50:00


    Lloyd Alter explains the term upfront carbon, its relevance to us all as consumers, and why he felt compelled to write a book on the topic. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH354: How natureplus helps you identify sustainable building products - with Tilmann Kramolisch

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 34:41


    Tilmann Kramolisch from natureplus explains why their eco label was established, how materials and products are assessed, and what it means to use a natureplus certified product on your project. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH353: 12 tips for a successful Passivhaus project

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2024 22:48


    Speakers from the Passivhaus workshop event at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon each share a top tip. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH352: Encouraging and supporting home retrofit in your local area

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 42:28


    Neighbours Wookey and Rob Leedham explain why they were motivated to retrofit their homes, how they built up knowledge and why engaging with others on a similar path has been extremely useful. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH351: Creating affordable, high quality, low carbon homes - with Linda Farrow

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 31:42


    Linda Farrow from Agile Homes explains how their prefabricated panelised system can deliver high quality and truly affordable homes that are good for the planet. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH350: What is value engineering?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2024 29:41


    Ben Adam-Smith explains what value engineering is and how it can help us to do more with less. He reflects on a short video about Slate House in Herefordshire that includes some great examples of value engineering. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH349: Timber build approaches – with Meredith Bowles

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 50:33


    Meredith Bowles from Mole Architects shares his experience working with timber as a construction material and explains the benefits and drawbacks of the different build approaches. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH348: Why do homes get mould? – with Alexx Stuart

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 42:54


    Alexx Stuart from Low Tox Life shares her experiences of toxic mould exposure and offers some advice on how best to keep your home healthy and mould free. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH347: Common pitfalls to avoid when building a house – with Amelia Lee

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 57:17


    Amelia Lee from Undercover Architect shares some common themes that tend to crop up on owner-builder projects (particularly with people who are doing this for the first time) and explains how they can be avoided by creating a clear foundation of your values and project intentions. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH346: Passivhaus homes where cooling is a key consideration – with Andy Marlow

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 41:16


    Andy Marlow from Envirotecture explains why Passivhaus homes are a good fit for most climates in Australia, how they approach these projects and what is needed beyond shading to keep the homes comfortable when the outdoor temperatures soar. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH345: Why is the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) such a useful tool? – with Sarah Lewis

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 43:41


    Sarah Lewis, the Research and Policy Director at the UK Passivhaus Trust and author of PHPP Illustrated, explains what the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is and how it is used during the design process. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH344: Hazel Tree Passivhaus – with Janice Gardiner

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 30:13


    Janice Gardiner, an ecologist and the client of last week's interviewee Josh Wood at Green Trace Architect, is here to tell us what it is like to be the client on a Passivhaus project and share what she has learnt from the experience. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH343: A low cost eco home on a challenging infill plot – with Josh Wood

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 42:43


    Architect Josh Wood gives us an insight into his own self build project, where the balance between keeping costs low and creating a sustainable home have pushed him to come up with creative solutions. By undergoing most of the work themselves, Josh and his partner Amy have been able to transform their snug, back garden plot, into a comfortable and energy-efficient home. Josh explains how thinking outside of the box may be an excellent option if you are looking to get on to the property ladder with a smaller budget. Check out the show notes for more information.  

    HPH342: How to incorporate reused materials on a self build - with Kirsty Maguire

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 40:32


    Architect Kirsty Maguire explains why reusing an existing building is always preferable to demolishing and rebuilding. However, when buildings are in terrible condition or need radical alterations to make them habitable we should be looking to reuse, recycle and reclaim as many materials as possible. Kirsty shows us that with intentional and sustainable design, you can create a new structure with a wealth of history. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH341: Should embodied carbon or energy efficiency be our priority? – with Jae Cotterell

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 37:40


    Jae Cotterell, founder of Passivhaus Homes, explains the importance of the choices we make when considering our construction approach. It is possible to create a high performance home with low embodied carbon that doesn't cost the earth if we understand the process, where the impacts lie and where optimisation can make a huge difference. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH340: How to reclaim VAT on a self build or conversion - with Andrew Jones

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 50:00


    Andrew Jones explains how to reclaim VAT on a self build home or conversion as well as sharing some common pitfalls to avoid. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH339: What is the Housebuilder's Bible? - with Mark Brinkley

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2023 42:45


    Mark Brinkley, author of the Housebuilder's Bible, explains how his book can guide you towards building a better home. He also shares some of the themes that have cropped up while he's been editing the latest edition. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH338: How to measure and monitor the performance of a home - with Luke Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2023 41:15


    Luke Smith from Build Test Solutions talks about making building performance measurement more commonplace, and how you can't manage what you don't measure. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH337: Wind power and solar power - past, present and future

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 35:19


    Dr. Derek Taylor talks about advances in wind and solar power over the last 50 years. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH336 : Ben's Passivhaus 5 years on

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 35:52


    Ben Adam-Smith marks five years of living in his Passivhaus home by reflecting on his self build journey and what the house has been like to live in. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH335 : Designing an intentional community - with Anne Thorne

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 53:23


    Anne Thorne talks through the architectural design process of Cannock Mill Cohousing community. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH334 : Combining smart home technology with energy efficiency – with Jonathan Dixon

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 52:35


    Jonathan Dixon talks about incorporating home automation into a Passivhaus retrofit of a 1960s detached house, built using cross wall construction. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH333 : What is the One Planet Development scheme? - with Brendan and Ludka Powell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023 37:56


    Ludka and Brendan Powell explain the Welsh ‘One Planet Development' scheme and how it led them to building an off-grid, straw panel Passivhaus. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH332 : How accurate are Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)? – with Tom Gwilliam

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2023 36:20


    Tom Gwilliam explains what Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are, how they are created and why they are unlikely to be a useful measure of how energy efficient a building is. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH331 : What is a mechanical services engineer? – with Alan Clarke

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2023 52:04


    Alan Clarke explains the role of a mechanical services engineer on a low energy house build, in designing a heating and ventilation system that works efficiently and is affordable. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH330 : What is a planning consultant? – with Andy Moger

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2023 47:18


    Andy Moger, from Tetlow King Planning, explains the role of a planning consultant and the benefits they can bring to a project. Check out the show notes for more information.

    HPH329 : What does a structural engineer do? – with Beth Williams

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2023 47:52


    Beth Williams from Build Collective outlines the role of a structural engineer and explains what tasks might be undertaken on a house build. Check out the show notes for more information.

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