Mindful Builder

“We’re dumping energy to maintain comfort.”
That’s how Andre Griffs from BINQ sums up what’s happening in far too many Australian homes. We crank the heater, blast the air con, and wonder why the house still feels off. Often, the culprit is simple. The windows are not performing.
We sat down with Andre to unpack what’s going wrong with Australian windows, why it matters more than most people realise, and what BINQ is doing differently to lift the standard.
Windows aren’t a finishing touch. They’re a performance decision.
And if Australia wants healthier, more comfortable, more energy-efficient homes, we can’t keep treating windows like a commodity. Conversations like this, with people like Andre pushing the industry forward, are how standards lift.
If you’re building or renovating and you’ve never thought deeply about your windows, we hope this episode helps you to think differently and do more research in the future.
👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇
00:00 Introduction
01:06 Sponsorship Shoutout
01:33 Guest Introduction: Andre's Story
02:37 Andre's Early Career and Education
09:55 The Birth of BINQ Windows
14:32 Challenges and Innovations in the Window Industry
28:07 The Cost of Thermal Bridge-Free Design
29:28 UPVC vs. Aluminum: Sustainability and Performance
30:19 Recycling and Environmental Impact of PVC
32:23 Challenges and Benefits of High-Performance Windows
37:44 Key Factors in Choosing Windows
44:27 Market Trends and Innovations in Windows
50:32 The Importance of Trades and Apprenticeships
LINKS:
Website:
https://www.binq.com.au/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/binq_windows/
Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod
Connect with Hamish:
Instagram: @sanctumhomes
Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/

Connect with Matt:
Instagram: @carlandconstructions
Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

"In Germany, you’d never see a timber frame left out in the rain."
That’s just one of the eye-opening differences we uncovered with Daniel Jakobs, a master carpenter and construction engineer from Germany, on the Mindful Builder Podcast. Dan has spent over 20 years in high-performance, ecological construction, and now serves as Technical Sales Manager for pro clima® in Australia and New Zealand. If you’ve ever met him, you know he’s got a world-class hipster beard, a great sense of humour, and the rare ability to make building science fun.
Dan shares what sets European building standards apart, from meticulous prefabrication and weatherproofing to the absolute importance of ventilation for healthy, durable homes.
Discover why protecting timber, getting back to basics with tools, and prioritising proper airflow are non-negotiables for future-ready construction.
Australia has the talent and the tools; now it’s about raising our standards. That means learning from the best of Europe, investing in better methods, and refusing to settle for more relaxed standards. For new apprentices and seasoned builders alike, it’s about being open to new ideas, looking after your craft, and building homes that are healthy, durable, and genuinely fit for the future.
👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇
00:00 Introduction
01:08 Special Offers and Promotions
01:53 Exciting News and Announcements
02:04 pro clima® Sponsorship
05:12 The Future of Building
05:47 Dan Jakobs Background and Journey
06:15 Building Practices in Germany
08:09 Challenges in Australian Building
21:42 Treated Timber and Building Materials
26:43 Challenges and Opportunities in Prefabrication
28:03 Small Scale Prefab: A Practical Approach
30:57 The Importance of Timber Quality and Sustainability
32:06 Education and Training in Carpentry
39:22 Innovations in Timber Products
42:52 Addressing Mould and Moisture in Construction
44:15 Encouraging Better Building Practices
52:12 Tips for Apprentices and Industry Professionals
58:43 Conclusion
LINKS:
https://proclima.com.au/
Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod
Connect with Hamish:
Instagram: @sanctumhomes
Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/

Connect with Matt:
Instagram: @carlandconstructions
Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

"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 Building
03:10 Defining Natural Building
04:53 Challenges and Misconceptions
05:13 Historical Context and Evolution
07:03 Mainstreaming Natural Building
09:08 Regulatory Hurdles and Performance
11:57 Labor and Cost Issues
21:07 Straw Bale Construction
24:59 Comfort and Performance in Natural Homes
28:06 Innovative Cooling Techniques in Passive Design
29:21 Balancing Comfort and Natural Building Methods
30:10 Client Expectations and Building Regulations
30:45 The Role of Architects and Builders in Sustainable Design
32:00 Challenges and Misconceptions in Natural Building
34:47 The Importance of Healthy Building Materials
35:38 Encouraging Curiosity and Innovation in Building
36:39 Resources and Community Support for Natural Building
44:01 Hands-On Involvement and Learning Opportunities
48:11 Integrating Natural Building into Apprenticeships
52:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
LINKS:
Natural Building Australia:
https://naturalbuildingaustralia.org/place/rachel-goldlust-natural-building-consultant/

Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod
Connect with Hamish:
Instagram: @sanctumhomes
Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/

Connect with Matt:
Instagram: @carlandconstructions
Website: 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 2025
01:55 Sponsorship and Future Plans
04:51 Personal and Professional Wins
06:35 Challenges and Learnings
13:09 Looking Ahead to 2026
16:51 Industry Trends and Predictions
22:25 Upcoming Events and Series
24:49 Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes

LINKS:

Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod
Connect with Hamish:
Instagram: @sanctumhomes
Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/

Connect with Matt:
Instagram: @carlandconstructions
Website: 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 Background
01:52 Unique Projects in Tasmania
04:13 Path to Architecture
05:54 Builder-Architect Relationship
07:57 Early Contractor Involvement
09:30 Negotiated vs. Tender Contracts
16:03 Cost Estimation Challenges
30:13 Understanding Builder Transparency
31:45 The Importance of Real-Time Costing
33:47 Educating the Broader Community
34:08 Passive House Design Challenges
36:57 The Poetic Nature of Architecture
42:10 Collaborative Construction Processes
47:53 Balancing Tradition and Innovation
53:20 Engaging with Align Build
LINKS:
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/