Mindful Builder

Is Natural building only for hippies

"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/ [https://naturalbuildingaustralia.org/place/rachel-goldlust-natural-building-consultant/] Connect with us on Instagram:  @themindfulbuilderpod [https://www.instagram.com/themindfulbuilderpod/] Connect with Hamish: Instagram:  @sanctumhomes [https://www.instagram.com/sanctumhomes/] Website:    [https://www.yoursanctum.com.au/]www.yoursanctum.com.au/ [http://www.yoursanctum.com.au/] Connect with Matt:  Instagram: @carlandconstructions [https://www.instagram.com/carlandconstructions/] Website:   [https://www.carlandconstructions.com/]www.carlandconstructions.com/ [http://www.carlandconstructions.com/]

2026 Building Trends?

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 [https://www.instagram.com/themindfulbuilderpod/] Connect with Hamish: Instagram:  @sanctumhomes [https://www.instagram.com/sanctumhomes/] Website:    [https://www.yoursanctum.com.au/]www.yoursanctum.com.au/ [http://www.yoursanctum.com.au/] Connect with Matt:  Instagram: @carlandconstructions [https://www.instagram.com/carlandconstructions/] Website:   [https://www.carlandconstructions.com/]www.carlandconstructions.com/ [http://www.carlandconstructions.com/]

How to Unite Architects & Builders

"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:    [https://www.yoursanctum.com.au/]www.yoursanctum.com.au/ [http://www.yoursanctum.com.au/] Connect with Matt:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlandconstructions/ [https://www.instagram.com/carlandconstructions/] Website:   [https://www.carlandconstructions.com/]www.carlandconstructions.com/ [http://www.carlandconstructions.com/]

Warm vs Cold Roof - Beer and Building Science Australia

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. takeaways * The 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.

Why isn't passive house growing?

"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 Acknowledgment 01:54 Discussion on Passive House Adoption in Australia 02:40 Maxa Design's Experience with Passive House 03:19 Global Adoption of Passive House Standards 05:36 Challenges in Marketing Passive House 07:46 Cost Analysis and Financial Considerations 14:55 Personal Experiences with Passive House 26:00 The Importance of Certification and Quality Assurance 29:39 Outdated Building Codes and Industry Challenges 31:13 The Cost and Value of Certification 32:56 Integrating Certification Without Client Awareness 34:12 Design Documentation and Additional Costs 38:55 Real-World Examples and Feasibility Challenges 41:51 The Importance of Builder Engagement 46:23 Sustainability and Passive House Certification 51:26 Practical Advice for Aspiring Professionals 55:02 Conclusion and Contact Information LINKS: Maxa Designs: https://www.maxadesign.com.au/ Connect with us on Instagram:   @themindfulbuilderpod [https://www.instagram.com/themindfulbuilderpod/] Connect with Hamish: Instagram:  @sanctumhomes [https://www.instagram.com/sanctumhomes/] Website:    [https://www.yoursanctum.com.au/]www.yoursanctum.com.au/ [http://www.yoursanctum.com.au/]