Building Sustainability Podcast

The majority of homes currently being built are bad for the earth, the occupants and the builder’s health.

Every fortnight, join Jeffrey Hart as he talks to designers, builders, makers, dreamers and doers. Exploring the wide world of sustainability in the built environment by talking to wonderful people who are doing excellent things.

Whether you want to learn more about natural materials, are navigating your own self build, or just want to know that better alternatives are out there, this is the podcast for you.

Recent Episodes

Sept. 11, 2024

Llamacroft, a bio-based Passivhaus Pt2 - Janna Laan Lomas - BS125

The second part of my conversation with Janna. In this episode we get into the nitty gritty of airtightness, and how we've come to appreciate its need, while not being 100% happy about the materials needed to achieve it. We …
Sept. 11, 2024

Llamacroft, a bio-based Passivhaus Pt1 - Janna Laan Lomas - BS124

In this episode of the Building Sustainability podcast, I am excited to welcome back architect Janna Laan Lomas, who shares her journey of building a sustainable home in Herefordshire alongside her partner, Seb, and her pare…
May 16, 2024

Chalk as a building material - Caroline Nicolay - BS123

A bonus episode with Archeologist Caroline Nicolay. The conversation explores building sustainable structures with chalk and earth materials, sharing experiences with chalk as a construction material and unique techniques li…
April 22, 2024

Retrofit using Natural Materials Pt2 - Will Stanwix - BS122

In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, Will Stanix joins me to delve into details of his barn conversion and upcoming clay plaster product. The discussion includes insights on hempcrete applications, clay mi…
April 3, 2024

How to Retrofit using Natural Materials - Will Stanwix - BS121

Join me and special guest Will Stanwix as we uncover the secrets of retrofitting a 300-year-old barn with crushed clay roof tiles for stunning finishes in vibrant hues. Dive deep into the history of a saw pit turned wheelwri…
March 19, 2024

The past informs present, the present informs the past - Caroline Nicolay - BS120

I'm joined by Archaeologist and Natural Builder Caroline Nicolay for a brilliant chat. We go in on - Archeology, Making your own pigments, Lime, Casein, "Iron age" Roundhouses and loads more! Episode Links BOOK - Sally Coult…
Feb. 23, 2024

How to Build a Roundhouse Pt2 - Adrian Leaman - BS119

How to Build a Roundhouse - Part 2! Be sure to check out Part 1 first. Episode links Wholewoods - https://wholewoods.co.uk/ Buildcamp - https://www.instagram.com/buildcamp/ Tony Wrench Roundhouse - https://www.thatroundhouse…
Feb. 23, 2024

How to Build a Roundhouse Pt1 - Adrian Leaman - BS118

Adrian Leaman from Wholewoods delves into the world of roundhouses and sustainable building practices. The conversation spans from building advice to foundation methods and the importance of using the right timber species in…
Feb. 6, 2024

Woven in the bone - Sam Goates - BS117

In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, host Jeffrey Hart sits down with Sam Goates from Woven in the Bone, a company that creates woven cloth on pedal-powered looms in Scotland. Sam discusses her love-hate r…
Jan. 23, 2024

Land/Clay/Timber - Paloma Gormley - BS116

Paloma Gormley continues our conversation, focusing on the use of clay as a sustainable alternative to lime and cement. We explore the versatility of clay as a material and its use in various forms, such as unfired clay bloc…

About the Host

Jeffrey Hart Profile Photo

Jeffrey Hart

Producer / Host

As well as producer and host of Building Sustainability Podcast - I am a builder, focussed on building highly efficient homes from natural materials. I blend the tried and tested methods of heritage vernacular building with modern building and material science to create buildings that are healthy to the builder, occupant and the environment.
He/Him/HIs