Mindful Builder

"Is natural building just for green hippie owner-builders?" We sat down with Rachel from Natural Building Australia to tackle this question head-on. Rachel's academic background and hands-on experience reveal how natural building has evolved from 1990s counterculture to a professionalised industry attracting broader audiences. Thanks to hemp industry growth and increasing awareness of healthy building materials, natural building is becoming a legitimate mainstream option in Australian construction.Rachel discusses the challenges facing natural building - building codes that don't recognise materials used successfully for centuries, labour shortages, and higher costs for bespoke approaches. But she's optimistic about the future, highlighting community workshop builds that attract diverse participants, including architects wanting to get their hands dirty and more women changing the traditionally blokey building site culture.Natural building isn't just about sustainability - it's about health, community, skill building, and connection. Whether you're a builder, architect, or homeowner curious about alternatives to conventional construction, Rachel's insights demonstrate that natural building offers practical pathways for creating healthier homes and more connected communities.👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇00:00 Introduction to Natural Building03:10 Defining Natural Building04:53 Challenges and Misconceptions05:13 Historical Context and Evolution07:03 Mainstreaming Natural Building09:08 Regulatory Hurdles and Performance11:57 Labor and Cost Issues21:07 Straw Bale Construction24:59 Comfort and Performance in Natural Homes28:06 Innovative Cooling Techniques in Passive Design29:21 Balancing Comfort and Natural Building Methods30:10 Client Expectations and Building Regulations30:45 The Role of Architects and Builders in Sustainable Design32:00 Challenges and Misconceptions in Natural Building34:47 The Importance of Healthy Building Materials35:38 Encouraging Curiosity and Innovation in Building36:39 Resources and Community Support for Natural Building44:01 Hands-On Involvement and Learning Opportunities48:11 Integrating Natural Building into Apprenticeships52:35 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsLINKS:Natural Building Australia: https://naturalbuildingaustralia.org/place/rachel-goldlust-natural-building-consultant/Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpodConnect with Hamish:Instagram: @sanctumhomesWebsite: www.yoursanctum.com.au/Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructionsWebsite: www.carlandconstructions.com/

A couple of years ago, we weren't sure if a podcast focused on thoughtful, evidence-based building would resonate with Australia's construction community. Turns out, builders, architects, and clients were hungry for exactly this kind of conversation - real talk about what works, what doesn't, mental health challenges, and how to navigate the shifting landscape of codes, client expectations, and new technologies.This year's conversations revealed clear themes: passive house principles are entering everyday builder vocabulary, communication between teams makes or breaks projects, and learning new techniques while unlearning old habits is essential for industry evolution. The Mindful Builder community proved that Australia's building industry is ready for deeper conversations about construction quality, performance, and collaboration. Here's to another year of building better, together - with honest conversations, practical insights, and a community committed to raising standards across Australian construction.👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇00:00 Introduction and Reflections on 202501:55 Sponsorship and Future Plans04:51 Personal and Professional Wins06:35 Challenges and Learnings13:09 Looking Ahead to 202616:51 Industry Trends and Predictions22:25 Upcoming Events and Series24:49 Closing Remarks and Holiday WishesLINKS:Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpodConnect with Hamish:Instagram: @sanctumhomesWebsite: www.yoursanctum.com.au/Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructionsWebsite: www.carlandconstructions.com/

"Architects design things we can't actually build."We sat down with Saxon Hall, Principal Architect at Align Architecture, to tackle the age-old tension between architects and builders. Saxon's unique perspective as a carpenter's son gives him insight into both sides of this divide.In this episode, we explore why communication breaks down between architects and builders, and more importantly, how to fix it. Saxon shares his 'Align Build Collaboration' method that brings builders into projects from day one, the debate around tender vs negotiated contracts, and why energy-efficient design doesn't have to sacrifice aesthetics.Saxon's diverse experience across residential, heritage, and sustainable projects proves that when architects understand building practicalities and builders appreciate design intent, everyone wins.Key topics: • Why early builder involvement saves headaches • Tender processes vs negotiated contracts • The poetic nature of architecture meets practical building • Climate-adapted, sustainable design solutions • Balancing collaboration with contractual obligations👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇00:00 Introduction and Saxon's Background01:52 Unique Projects in Tasmania04:13 Path to Architecture05:54 Builder-Architect Relationship07:57 Early Contractor Involvement09:30 Negotiated vs. Tender Contracts16:03 Cost Estimation Challenges30:13 Understanding Builder Transparency31:45 The Importance of Real-Time Costing33:47 Educating the Broader Community34:08 Passive House Design Challenges36:57 The Poetic Nature of Architecture42:10 Collaborative Construction Processes47:53 Balancing Tradition and Innovation53:20 Engaging with Align BuildLINKS:Align Build:https://align.build/Connect with us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/themindfulbuilderpod/ Connect with Hamish:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanctumhomes/Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/Connect with Matt: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/carlandconstructions/Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

The conversation delves into the mould issues arising in bushfire zones, exploring how sealed environments contribute to the problem and the ongoing search for evidence to address these challenges.takeawaysThe mould issue in roof spaces began in bushfire zones.Sealing buildings to prevent embers can lead to mould problems.Cold, bushy areas are particularly susceptible to mould.There is a need for more evidence regarding mould issues.Sealed environments create significant risks for mould buildup.Using tools like Wufi can reveal disastrous conditions.Building practices need to be reconsidered in bushfire zones.Health risks associated with mould are a growing concern.Awareness of mould issues is still limited among the public.Addressing mould requires a collaborative effort among experts.

"The message that passive house is better, just isn't reaching people." We explore what actually happens when passive house ambitions meet the realities of Australian building sites - from the builder's perspective, the architect's challenges, and the client's concerns.Today we’re discussing what it means to design and build a passive house with Sven Maxa from Maxa Designs: the learning curves, cost considerations, and collaboration required to bridge the gap between high-performance building theory and practical execution. We break down what changes for builders tackling their first passive house spec, how architects balance performance with design, and what clients need to know before committing to passive house principles.This isn't about chasing certification badges - it's about understanding whether passive house standards can improve building performance without making life harder for everyone involved.Whether you're a builder considering your first passive house project, an architect integrating performance requirements, or a homeowner exploring energy-efficient building options, this conversation reveals the real-world challenges and opportunities of passive house construction in Australia.👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgment01:54 Discussion on Passive House Adoption in Australia02:40 Maxa Design's Experience with Passive House03:19 Global Adoption of Passive House Standards05:36 Challenges in Marketing Passive House07:46 Cost Analysis and Financial Considerations14:55 Personal Experiences with Passive House26:00 The Importance of Certification and Quality Assurance29:39 Outdated Building Codes and Industry Challenges31:13 The Cost and Value of Certification32:56 Integrating Certification Without Client Awareness34:12 Design Documentation and Additional Costs38:55 Real-World Examples and Feasibility Challenges41:51 The Importance of Builder Engagement46:23 Sustainability and Passive House Certification51:26 Practical Advice for Aspiring Professionals55:02 Conclusion and Contact InformationLINKS:Maxa Designs:https://www.maxadesign.com.au/Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpodConnect with Hamish:Instagram: @sanctumhomesWebsite: www.yoursanctum.com.au/