Building Better with Riley Carter

In this episode of Building Better with Riley Carter, I sit down with Daniel H. Krohn to peel back the layers—literally—of the modern Passive House. While we often celebrate these structures as the "gold standard" of energy efficiency for their ability to maintain perfect thermal comfort with near-zero input, we must address a sobering question: Is our quest for the ultimate airtight seal creating...

In this episode, we explore why Smiljan Radić has been awarded the 2026 Pritzker Prize and what his work reveals about the evolving values of contemporary architecture. Rooted in landscape, material, and imagination, his projects challenge conventional ideas of form, permanence, and authorship—offering a quieter, more introspective vision of the built environment. We also open a critical debate: i...

Planning a new build, renovation, or small apartment project? The difference between the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC) can be the difference between a smooth permitting process and a complete, six-figure budget disaster. In this deep dive, Riley Carter cuts through the bureaucratic fog and reveals why calling the IBC the 'commercial code' is dangero...

From structure to sustainability, this episode unpacks the biggest shifts between the 2021 and 2024 International Residential Code. Riley Carter explains how updates to ASCE 7-22, ASCE 24-22, and the 2024 IECC reshape design decisions, inspections, and resilience in modern housing. Discover what these refinements mean for architects, builders, and homeowners aiming to build smarter, safer, and mor...

Join us as we dive deep into the principles of sustainable architecture, exploring how buildings can act as ecological membranes rather than mere boundaries. In this episode, we'll discuss the crucial role of the building envelope, the hidden impact of embodied carbon in materials, and the power of the Integrated Design Process. Discover how architects, engineers, and ecologists collaborate to cre...

In this kickoff to Season 2 of Building Better with Riley Carter, we explore the layered relationship between iconic architecture and the urban systems that give cities their soul. Dr. Riley Carter takes us from theory to practice—examining how buildings and neighborhoods shape resilience, equity, and climate adaptation in a rapidly changing world. Whether you’re shaping the built environment or n...

In this episode, we dive into the world of modular construction through the lens of Passive House standards. Discover the best materials shaping the future of prefab homes—from CLT and SIPs to hempcrete, VIPs, and beyond. Riley Carter breaks down how material choices impact energy performance, cost-efficiency, and code compliance in modular design. Whether you're an architect, builder, or policy a...

In this premiere episode of Building Better with Riley Carter, we journey through the engineering brilliance of Rome’s Pantheon Dome—an architectural marvel that continues to inspire designers, builders, and sustainability advocates alike. Drawing from Riley Carter’s 2025 book The Pantheon Dome: Rome’s Engineering Masterpiece and Its Legacy in Architecture and Innovation, we explore how Roman conc...

What can a 15th-century dome teach us about modern architecture? Quite a lot, it turns out. In this episode of Building Better with Riley Carter, we explore the extraordinary story behind Brunelleschi’s Dome—a feat of engineering that solved one of the greatest structural challenges of the Renaissance. Discover how a goldsmith-turned-architect designed the world’s largest masonry dome without scaf...

This week on Building Better with Riley Carter, we strip structural design down to its essentials. From load paths to lateral resistance, Riley explains how a strong grasp of structural behavior transforms architectural decision-making. You'll hear why understanding equilibrium, materials, and framing systems isn't just for engineers—and how spatial reasoning and real-world examples can elevate yo...

In this episode we dives into the science and strategy behind ultra-efficient home construction. We explore why materials are the true backbone of Passive House performance, how airtightness and insulation work together for comfort and energy savings, and what the future holds for carbon-smart, climate-resilient building. From natural insulations like hemp and wood fiber to cutting-edge vapor cont...

Ready to move past “green bling” and into architecture that actually gives back? In this special episode of Building Better with Riley Carter, Dr. Carter unpacks the big ideas in his latest book Ecological Architecture: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Design, Natural Building Materials, and Holistic Environmental Strategies for Healthy Living Spaces . We trace every layer of a project’s life—from...

In this episode, we dive into the subtle yet powerful ways lighting shapes the spaces we inhabit — from how we perceive a room’s atmosphere to how well we sleep at night. We talk about: The science behind how humans see light and why that matters for design. How materials like glass, wood, and concrete interact with light to create mood and functionality. The evolution of lighting technology — and...

The Eternal Dome explores one of the world’s most enigmatic architectural achievements — a building that defies categorization and continues to inspire wonder. Nestled in the heart of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia stands as a "stone-borne paradox": vast yet intimate, serene yet contested, bridging East and West, church, mosque, and museum — yet fully embodying none. Over nearly 1,500 years, it has endure...

What does it mean to rebuild a cathedral for the next thousand years? In this episode, I explore how Notre-Dame de Paris—ravaged by fire in 2019—is being reborn through a delicate balance of tradition and innovation. Together, we’ll uncover how its reconstruction wrestles with questions of historical fidelity, sustainability, and collective identity. We’ll also visit Sagrada Família in Barcelona,...

Often mistaken for just a tourist attraction, this project is actually a living laboratory of design, structure, and craftsmanship. In this episode, we challenge conventional understanding to uncover the profound architectural insights this extraordinary building offers—both historically and in our present day. We’ll delve into how Antoni Gaudí redefined architecture by using geometry not as mere...

Hey everyone—welcome back to Building Better with Riley Carter! I’m Dr. Riley Carter, and today we’re unpacking the ideas behind my latest book, Passive House Made Simple. This one’s for homeowners, renovators, and anyone who’s ever wondered: “How can I make my home more comfortable, healthy, and energy-efficient—without breaking the bank?” In this episode, I walk you through the five core princip...

Welcome to The Global Imperative of Passive House Design, a podcast that explores the critical role of high-performance architecture in shaping a sustainable future. Join Dr. Riley Carter, an accomplished architect, researcher, and economist specializing in residential construction codes, passive house design, and the economic impact of building regulations. With over two decades of experience as...